Manchester United 3 West Ham 1
Champions Manchester United sprang 11 points clear at the top of the English premier league today after beating West Ham United 3-1 at Old Trafford.
After second-placed Arsenal lost at Charlton Athletic earlier on Monday, Alex Ferguson's side took full advantage against a disappointing West Ham team who were without playmaker Paolo Di Canio.
United have 50 points from 22 games, 11 clear of Arsenal and Sunderland, and bookmakers William Hill have cut United's odds to win the title to 20-1 on with Arsenal 9-1.
Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, described before the match as "probably one of the best finishers of all time" by Ferguson, slammed in United's first after three minutes following sloppy work by Rigobert Song.
Stuart Pearce deflected a cross past his own goalkeeper after 33 minutes to give United a 2-0 lead.
Dwight Yorke's diving header from a precision Roy Keane cross made it 3-0 after 57 minutes.
Frederic Kanoute headed a consolation for West Ham 18 minutes from time and though Frank Lampard also went close the Londoners could not spoil the New Year celebrations at Old Trafford.
Reuters