Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick as Premier League leaders Manchester United came from 2-0 down to beat West Ham United 4-2 on Saturday.The win lifted them seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who drew 0-0 against Blackburn Rovers in the evening kick-off, and
11 clear of Chelsea who played 1-1 at Stoke City.
"We played like champions," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "We kept our head up and didn't lose faith in our ability. That was a great, great boost for us in that respect.
"It's not an easy place to come, they are fighting against relegation and that result could put them in deep trouble but we have to do our thing.
"We dominated the second half and deserved to win, it was a real championship performance as far as I'm concerned."
Two penalties from Mark Noble had given West Ham a 2-0 half-time lead, but after Nemanja Vidic controversially was shown only a yellow card for what seemed a professional foul, United hit back in the second.
Rooney curled in a free-kick, drove in a low finish from Antonio Valencia's cross and then converted a penalty harshly awarded for handball by Matthew Upson.
The forward swore into a television camera as he celebrated his hat-trick, and may face disciplinary action.
Javier Hernandez added a fourth from a Ryan Giggs cross.
Arsenal, meanwhile, were extremely flat in drawing 0-0 with Blackburn at a funereal Emirates Stadium.
Like United, Chelsea had to come from behind, but they managed only a 1-1 draw at Stoke.
"We did our best. It was a good result because Stoke had opportunities," said Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti. "They could have won, we could have won. It was exciting.
"We have to continue to do our best. The gap (to United) was not easy before this game and now it is more difficult but we have to think game by game."
Jon Walters put Stoke ahead after eight minutes, dispossessing David Luiz and running from halfway to score, but Didier Drogba headed in a Nicolas Anelka cross to level.
Ricardo Fuller missed a sitter that could have given Stoke an injury-time winner.
Tottenham Hotspur are fifth after a goalless draw away to bottom side Wigan Athletic.
West Bromwich Albion beat Liverpool 2-1, but manager Roy Hodgson denied it was about revenge against the club he left earlier this season.
"I get no extra pleasure from beating Liverpool. I made a lot of friends when I was at Liverpool. The players, I have a lot of time and respect for, and the coaching staff, many of them worked with me and worked very loyally," he said.
Liverpool lost Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger to injury in the first half, but Martin Skrtel's header gave them the lead just after half-time.
Two Chris Brunt penalties, though, turned the game the way of the home side.
Birmingham City climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers.
Kevin Phillips drove Birmingham into a fourth-minute lead, his fourth goal in four starts this season, and Craig Gardner doubled their advantage just before the hour. Johan Elmander pulled one back.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' relegation worries increased as they lost 4-1 at Newcastle United.
A cool Kevin Nolan finish from a Shola Ameobi flick-on had Newcastle ahead after 22 minutes, and Ameobi headed a second just before half-time.
Peter Lovenkrands added a third, and although Sylvain Ebanks-Blake pulled one back, Jonas Gutierrez confirmed the win in injury time.
Aston Villa drew 2-2 at Everton. Leon Osman slammed an opener under Brad Friedel after 38 minutes, but Darren Bent levelled just after half-time.
Bent got Villa's second in controversial circumstances, Everton believing Darren Beckford's effort had crossed the line before Villa broke and took the lead. Leighton Baines levelled with seven minutes to go from a debatable penalty.
11 clear of Chelsea who played 1-1 at Stoke City.
"We played like champions," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "We kept our head up and didn't lose faith in our ability. That was a great, great boost for us in that respect.
"It's not an easy place to come, they are fighting against relegation and that result could put them in deep trouble but we have to do our thing.
"We dominated the second half and deserved to win, it was a real championship performance as far as I'm concerned."
Two penalties from Mark Noble had given West Ham a 2-0 half-time lead, but after Nemanja Vidic controversially was shown only a yellow card for what seemed a professional foul, United hit back in the second.
Rooney curled in a free-kick, drove in a low finish from Antonio Valencia's cross and then converted a penalty harshly awarded for handball by Matthew Upson.
The forward swore into a television camera as he celebrated his hat-trick, and may face disciplinary action.
Javier Hernandez added a fourth from a Ryan Giggs cross.
Arsenal, meanwhile, were extremely flat in drawing 0-0 with Blackburn at a funereal Emirates Stadium.
Like United, Chelsea had to come from behind, but they managed only a 1-1 draw at Stoke.
"We did our best. It was a good result because Stoke had opportunities," said Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti. "They could have won, we could have won. It was exciting.
"We have to continue to do our best. The gap (to United) was not easy before this game and now it is more difficult but we have to think game by game."
Jon Walters put Stoke ahead after eight minutes, dispossessing David Luiz and running from halfway to score, but Didier Drogba headed in a Nicolas Anelka cross to level.
Ricardo Fuller missed a sitter that could have given Stoke an injury-time winner.
Tottenham Hotspur are fifth after a goalless draw away to bottom side Wigan Athletic.
West Bromwich Albion beat Liverpool 2-1, but manager Roy Hodgson denied it was about revenge against the club he left earlier this season.
"I get no extra pleasure from beating Liverpool. I made a lot of friends when I was at Liverpool. The players, I have a lot of time and respect for, and the coaching staff, many of them worked with me and worked very loyally," he said.
Liverpool lost Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger to injury in the first half, but Martin Skrtel's header gave them the lead just after half-time.
Two Chris Brunt penalties, though, turned the game the way of the home side.
Birmingham City climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers.
Kevin Phillips drove Birmingham into a fourth-minute lead, his fourth goal in four starts this season, and Craig Gardner doubled their advantage just before the hour. Johan Elmander pulled one back.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' relegation worries increased as they lost 4-1 at Newcastle United.
A cool Kevin Nolan finish from a Shola Ameobi flick-on had Newcastle ahead after 22 minutes, and Ameobi headed a second just before half-time.
Peter Lovenkrands added a third, and although Sylvain Ebanks-Blake pulled one back, Jonas Gutierrez confirmed the win in injury time.
Aston Villa drew 2-2 at Everton. Leon Osman slammed an opener under Brad Friedel after 38 minutes, but Darren Bent levelled just after half-time.
Bent got Villa's second in controversial circumstances, Everton believing Darren Beckford's effort had crossed the line before Villa broke and took the lead. Leighton Baines levelled with seven minutes to go from a debatable penalty.
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