Premier League review:Manchester United kept the pressure on league leaders Chelsea with a five nil rout of Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney set them on their way with his 14th goal of the season and they had three-goal advantage by the break thanks to Michael Carrick and Rafael da Silva.
Dmitar Berbatov and Antonio Valencia brought the tally to five after the break and consigned Wigan to their 10th defeat of the season. Roberto Martinez's side remain 16th having conceded 44 goals, more than any other team this season.
Former Wigan star Valencia had a productive night, claiming three assists and scoring the final Premier League goal of 2009 against his old club.
But Rooney was the main man, opening United's account with his 15th goal of the season and getting himself right to the heart of a performance Wigan could not have complained about if it had brought the hosts double figures.
The wonder was it took United almost half an hour to open their account.
A flurry just beforehand had involved Chris Kirkland turning a Rooney blockbuster wide and Paul Scharner booting a Nemanja Vidic effort of the line.
Three minutes later Carrick swept home the second after Valencia had shown enough vision to cut a pass back into his path rather than drill a cross into crowded penalty area.
Rafael's only previous goal came in a disappointing defeat at Arsenal last year. This time, after collecting Darren Fletcher's pass and showing nimble feet to create space for himself on the edge of the area before drilling past Kirkland, he had more of a reason to celebrate with twin Fabio, who pumped the air with joy from the bench, although he was ultimately to share a pitch with his brother for the first time in a league game.
A change of keeper at the break as Mike Pollitt replaced the luckless Kirkland, failed to bring a change of fortune for the visitors.
Valencia skipped past Maynor Figueroa as if he was not there, then crossed into the space Hendry Thomas was supposed to be filling before he fell over. Berbatov controlled instantly and stabbed his shot into the far corner.
Memories of that nine-goal humiliation at Tottenham were coming back to haunt Martinez and his men.
Instead, United were forced to wait until the 76th minute, after Ferguson had made a triple substitution, for Rooney to drive into the heart of Wigan's defences before sending Valencia through superbly to chip home a fifth.
Portsmouth's troubles on and off the pitch deepened following a 4-1 home defeat by Arsenal, who remain firmly in the hunt for the Barclays Premier League title.
The club had earlier issued a statement denying being formally served with a winding up petition by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in respect of disputed VAT, PAYE and National Insurance contributions of a reported £3.5million.
While that matter may yet be resolved in a High Court hearing early next month to avoid administration, it is clear Pompey - FA Cup winners last year under Harry Redknapp - face an uphill battle to save themselves from relegation come May 2010.
Arsenal fans, meanwhile, could well have the champagne on ice in anticipation of what may yet prove a vintage year for Arsene Wenger's young Gunners - now just four points behind leaders Chelsea and with a match in hand.
The visitors were always in command after Eduardo's free-kick had deflected off Younes Kaboul, before Samir Nasri drilled in a second just before half-time and Wales teenager Aaron Ramsey smashed home a third on 69 minutes.
Although Nadir Belhadj - one of several Pompey players set to leave for African Nations Cup duty - pulled a goal back, Cameroon midfielder Alex Song nodded in a fourth with 10 minutes left.
