Rampant Chelsea stay ahead of United

Chelsea FC reaffirmed their Premier League title credentials with a crushing 7-2 home win against Sunderland AFC, a victory which consolidated their one-point lead over a Manchester United FC team who overcame Burnley FC 3-0.

Rampant Blues
Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea struck five on their last outing at Stamford Bridge, against Watford FC in the FA Cup, but eclipsed that on this occasion. Nicolas Anelka (8) started the scoring, with Florent Malouda (17), Ashley Cole (22) and Frank Lampard (34) inflicting further damage before the break. Michael Ballack made if five shortly after the restart and although former Blues midfielder Boudewijn Zenden pulled one back, Anelka (65) struck again. Lampard matched Anelka's feat of scoring twice before Darren Bent replied for the vistors.

Laws debut
Second-half goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney and substitute Mame Biram Diouf earned United victory at home against Burnley, who were under the management of Brian Laws for the first time. United have played one game more than Chelsea and two more than third-placed Arsenal FC, who can move to within two points of the Red Devils if they overcome Bolton Wanderers FC on Sunday.

Liverpool denied
Tottenham Hotspur FC moved up to fourth following a goalless draw with Hull City AFC, displacing Manchester City FC, whose 2-0 loss at ever-improving Everton in the late kick-off was their first under Roberto Mancini. Elsewhere, Liverpool FC lost further ground on the top four by drawing 1-1 at Stoke City FC, Robert Huth equalising for the hosts in the 90th minute. Wigan Athletic FC pulled four points clear of the bottom three thanks to a 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, both sides ending the match with ten men. In-form Birmingham City FC's trip to bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth FC was postponed.