Man United maintain Premier League advantage

Manchester United FC preserved their lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to late victory at Reading FC, while Arsenal FC kept up their challenge with success at Fulham FC.

Adebayor double
Wayne Rooney's sixth league goal of the season thirteen minutes from time and an added time Cristiano Ronaldo strike earned United a 2-0 success at the Madejski Stadium, moving the champions on to 54 points. Joining Sir Alex Ferguson's team on the same total are Arsenal, who won 3-0 at London rivals Fulham. Two first-half efforts from Emmanuel Adebayor and a Tomáš Rosický goal nine minutes from time consigned struggling Fulham to defeat, leaving manager Roy Hodgson still looking for his first victory since taking charge last month.

Pizarro effort
Also winners on the road were third-placed Chelsea FC, who won 1-0 at Birmingham City FC courtesy of a late Claudio Pizarro strike. Avram Grant's side remain four points off the pace on 50 points. Elsewhere, Blackburn Rovers FC squandered the opportunity to move level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool FC, after drawing 1-1 at home with Middlesbrough FC. Defender David Wheater grabbed his third goal of the season on 13 minutes at Ewood Park, but Blackburn levelled in the second half through Matt Derbyshire.

Benjani hat-trick
Portsmouth FC, who had not scored at home since September, defeated bottom side Derby County FC 3-1 to move into eighth. Lewin Nyatanga gave the visitors an early lead, but a Benjani Mwaruwari hat-trick secured the points. Elsewhere Tottenham Hotspur FC's improvement under Juande Ramos continued with a 2-0 success against struggling Sunderland AFC&Newcastle United FC marked Kevin Keegan's return as manager by drawing 0-0 with UEFA Cup hopefuls Bolton Wanderers FC at St James' Park .