Berbatov nets two as Utd tighten grip

The Bulgaria striker nodded Wayne Rooneys lofted cross into the net after five minutes.

Dimitar Berbatovs double allowed Manchester United to stay unbeaten and keep a tight grip on the Premier League lead with a convincing 2-0 victory on Sunday over Sunderland. The Bulgaria striker nodded Wayne Rooneys lofted cross into the net after five minutes and also hit the post during a first-half onslaught.

Berbatov was on target again slightly fortuitously when a 57th-minute strike deflected off Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand past goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

United holds a two-point lead with two games in hand over crosstown rival Manchester City,which won 3-1 at Newcastle.

Arsenal is five points behind United in third having played the same number of matches as the leaders,but the north London club hosts fourth-place Chelsea on Monday night.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruces hopes of beating Alex Ferguson his former boss at United at his 16th attempt were stymied by the absence of seven key players,including Danny Welbeck due to the terms of strikers loan agreement with United.

While Sunderland had lost only once in its last eight matches,the team was ripped apart by a speedy counterattack that saw United race into the lead.

Ryan Giggs released Wayne Rooney on the edge of the penalty area,and the England striker chipped the ball to Berbatov at the far post. Berbatov squeezed a downward header past Gordon at the far post.

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From then on,the visitors,who have beaten Chelsea and Manchester City already this season,were battered by a United side given the freedom to roam the Old Trafford turf largely unchallenged.

The goal-frame twice denied United from extending its lead in the first half: Berbatov hit the post and Anderson rattled the crossbar.

Twelve minutes into the second half,though,the second goal finally arrived. Anderson slipped the ball through to Berbatov after the Brazil midfielders initial strike had rebounded back to him.

From the right of the penalty area,Berbatov unleashed a shot that Ferdinand,whose own-goal here last season gifted United a draw,inadvertently diverted the ball into the net.

Tevez brace sinks Newcastle

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Meanwhile,Carlos Tevezs brace helped Manchester City move provisionally second with a 3-1 win at Newcastle. City overtook Arsenal in the standings as Gareth Barrys opener and Tevezs double helped Roberto Mancinis side to victory at St. James Park.

Also on Sunday,Wolverhampton lost 2-1 to Wigan to go bottom of the table,while West Ham collected a rare 3-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. In other results: It was Blackburn 0-2 Stoke,Bolton 2-0 West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Wigan.