Liverpool moved seven points clear at the top after outclassing West Ham 2-0 to win their 22nd league game out of the last 27 in the English Premier League.
Michael Owen scored twice to take his tally for the season to 11. His first came after 28 minutes when he eluded two tackles in the penalty box before lifting the ball over ex-Liverpool team mate David James to score.
On the other hand, Manchester United bounced back from their shock 3-0 defeat by Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League with a late goal from substitute Diego Forlan to beat Southampton 2-1. In other matches, Birmingham City saw off a determined challenge from bottom-of-the-table Bolton who ended the match with 10 men. Manchester City scored their second successive away win in the Midlands with a 2-1 victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns.