Manchester United remain top of the Premier League after putting five past Birmingham at Old Trafford without reply, but Arsenal remain two points behind with a comfortable home win over Wigan. Wigan made it six visits without scoring at the Emirates as they went down 3-0 to Arsenal in a one sided encounter.

The Dutchman could even afford to miss a penalty and hit a post.

Robin van Persie scored a brilliant hat-trick and the scoreline could have been worse for the visitor's but for keeper Ali Al Habsi who denied Cesc Fabregas and Van Persie.

Manchester United have now gone 25 games since last losing to Birmingham in 1978.

Dimitar Berbatov hit a hat-trick as the host's raced into a 3-0 half-time lead with goals from Berbatov and Giggs.

With Nani and Berbatov claiming the match ball after the break the scoreline was no more than the performance deserved against a hapless Birmingham outfit.

Kenny Dalglish picked up his first win as interim Liverpool boss with a comfortable 3-0 win at Molineux against struggling Wolves.

In a hard fought game the Reds always looked in control and the chances of Wolves repeating their 1-0 success at Anfield three weeks ago never looked on the cards.

Fernando Torres started scoring again with a strike in each half, and sandwiched in-between was a stunning Raul Meireles volley.

Sunderland shrugged off the disappointment of losing striker Darren Bent in midweek with a 2-1 win at Blackpool.

The Seasiders have yet to keep a clean sheet at home and a Kieran Richardson first-half brace ensured that record remained intact.

Charlie Adam's late penalty gave Blackpool hope but it is the Black Cats who press on for a European place.

Bottom club West Ham twice led at Everton but conceded late and had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Goodison park.

Jonathan Spector put the visitors ahead before Dinar Bilyaletdinov blasted in to level with 13 minutes remaining.

Frederic Piquionne responded with what seemed a late winner but was then sent off for his over-exuberant goal celebration.

And Everton took full advantage by levelling for a second time deep into injury time through Marouane Fellaini for a vital point for the Merseysiders.

Fulham continue to pull away from the lower reaches after completing the double over Stoke City with a 2-0 win at Craven Cottage.

Clint Dempsey scored twice, one from the penalty spot, as Stoke were made to pay for missed chances.

The Potters miserable afternoon was complete when Ryan Shawcross saw red for denying the goalscoring chance which gave Dempsey his spot kick opportunity.

Newcastle will consider their 1-1 home draw with Tottenham as two points dropped as they conceded the equaliser to Aaron Lennon in injury time.

In truth it was no more than Spurs, who hit the woodwork through Luka Modric, deserved.

But Shola Ameobi and Peter Lovenkrands had chances for a Newcastle, while Leon Best hit the bar.

And so for the first time in 21 Premier League meetings between these two teams the game ended all square still leaving Spurs on the fringes of the title race.