Premier League review: Dimitar Berbatov collected an Old Trafford hat-trick as Manchester United thrashed 10-man Wigan 5-0 at Old Trafford to move level on points with Manchester city at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
The Bulgarian was making only his second league start of the season but he enabled the Red Devils to shrug off defensive worries, adding to Park Ji-sung's early goal in the first half before netting twice more after the break.
Antonio Valencia was also on target for the hosts, who romped home once Connor Sammon had been dismissed for elbowing Michael Carrick.
Man Citysaw their two-point advantage at the top wiped out as they were held to a goalless draw at West Brom.
Mario Balotelli hit the crossbar and had a goal disallowed but the visitors lacked their usual bite at The Hawthorns.
It could even have been worse for Roberto Mancini's men as Albion rose to the challenge and were unlucky when Jerome Thomas hit the post and Shane Long headed wide.
Chelsea'stitle hopes suffered another heavy blow as Fulhamcame from behind to consign them to a third successive 1-1 draw.
Fernando Torres flopped on his first league start for almost two months, although he did inadvertently lay on Juan Mata's 47th-minute opener, the winger's fifth goal of the season.
Fulham belied their miserable away record to equalise nine minutes later through Clint Dempsey's ninth of the campaign, ensuring the spoils were shared in the west London derby.
Bottom club Blackburnearned a 1-1 draw at Liverpool, where stand-in goalkeeper Mark Bunn produced an outstanding display.
Reds midfielder Charlie Adam put the ball into his own net on the stroke of half-time after a corner from Morten Gamst Pedersen to give Steve Kean's men a shock lead.
However, the home side rallied after the break, and were level through Maxi Rodriguez (53).
Despite plenty of pressure and the return of captain Steven Gerrard from a two-month absence with an ankle infection, Liverpool could not conjure a winner past inspired Rovers number two Bunn, who denied Andy Carroll again in stoppage time.
Sunderlandhad to be content with a point against Everton, who equalised with a controversial second-half penalty at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats looked on course to continue their revival under new boss Martin O'Neill when Jack Colback's 26th-minute effort deflected over keeper Tim Howard off Sylvain Distin to give the 22-year-old midfielder a first senior goal.
However, the visitors were back in the game when World Cup final referee Howard Webb pointed to the spot on 51 minutes after Leon Osman tumbled in the box despite there appearing no contact, Leighton Baines smashing home the resulting penalty.
Two goals in as many minutes from Hatem Ben Arfa and Demba Ba earned Newcastletheir first win in seven league games against struggling Boltonat the Reebok Stadium.
The Magpies had taken only two points from their previous six games while Bolton's victory over Blackburn in midweek ended a run of five straight defeats, and in the first half it appeared very much a battle between two struggling sides.
But the deadlock was broken in the 69th minute when Ben Arfa netted his first goal in more than a year and the prolific Ba doubled the lead soon after.
Stoke Citywere held scoreless at home by Aston Villain a dour evening game.
