Premier League round-up:Javier Hernandez made it a lucky 13 goals for the season as Manchester United charged four points clear of Arsenal with a clinical 4-0 victory at Wigan. Alex Ferguson declared yesterday the Premier League title battle was now a straight fight between his own side and the Gunners.

And with trips to Chelsea and Liverpool looming, United could not have made a better start to their week on the road. Preferred to Dimitar Berbatov, Hernandez justified the faith of his manager, turning home Nani’s first-half cross before finishing Wayne Rooney’s brilliant second-half through ball.

Rooney and Fabio then scored in the final minutes to leave relegation-threatened Wigan thoroughly deflated at a result that did not reflect their performance. Three times Edwin van der Sar needed to make outstanding saves, whilst skipper Nemanja Vidic was a towering presence in the United defence.

Two first-half saves were responsible for United having a half-time lead at the DW Stadium when they could easily have been behind. A poor back-pass from Paul Scholes presented Victor Moses with the first opportunity.

Moses strode into the United box with only Van der Sar to beat. He failed, blasting his shot against his imposing opponent’s chest. That was when the contest was still goalless. Within seconds of United’s opener, Wigan were in again.

This time Moses was the provider, drilling a low cross to the far post where the combative James McCarthy was on his own six yards out. Again, only Van der Sar stood between Wigan and the net. Once more he came out on top.

Hernandez got his second when he was played through by a first-time Rooney pass and calmly slotted past Al Habsi. Rooney made it three when Dimitar Berbatov collected a ball over the top and raced towards goal where he passed to his fellow forward who had a simple task. Fabio scored two minutes after coming on as substitute when he slotted home unmarked at the back post.

Two goals by Ashley Young guided Aston Villa to a vital 4-1 win against Blackburn. After a goalless first half, Villa took the lead four minutes after the break.

Keith Andrews inexplicably attempted to turn and dribble out of his own area but Young pounced only for the midfielder to haul him down for a certain penalty and Young made no mistake.

Marc Albrighton’s cross went in off Grant Hanley’s knee before Stewart Downing ran from the halfway line, cut in and coolly slotted across Paul Robinson into the bottom left-hand corner.

Rovers pulled one back through a Nikola Kalinic screamer before Young restored the three-goal lead when he was found unmarked in the area by Downing and hit a firm shot into the net.

Wolves moved out of the relegation zone after a 4-0 win over Blackpool at Molineux. The match had been overshadowed by the news of the death of former defender Dean Richards this morning.

Mick McCarthy’s side went ahead in the second minute following a flowing move involving David Edwards who collected the ball on the right before cutting inside and playing the ball to Adam Hamill. He in turn found an unmarked Matt Jarvis who sent a firm shot across Richard Kingson.

Blackpool were reduced to 10 men when DJ Campbell was given a straight red card for pushing Richard Stearman in the face shortly before half-time. Jamie O’Hara doubled the lead when he ran unchallenged from just inside the Seasiders’ half and unleashed a shot from just outside the area.

It was easy for Wolves and they went 3-0 up when Kevin Doyle’s cross from the right was met by an unmarked Sylvan Ebanks-Blake who had plenty of time to tap in from three yards out. The former Plymouth forward put the ball across Kingson at the death with a firm drive as Wolves moved out of the drop zone and above West Brom on goal difference.

Newcastle drew 1-1 with Bolton despite going ahead in the 13th minute when Cheick Tiote’s cross from the left was met by an unmarked Kevin Nolan who flicked a header low into the bottom right-hand corner.

The visitors levelled through Daniel Sturridge after the on-loan Chelsea striker received the ball from Johan Elmander and although he was between two defenders, Sturridge quickly unleashed the shot.

However, the Magpies were reduced to 10 men when Ryan Taylor was given a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on Elmander, leaving the referee with little option.

Jermaine Beckford scored twice as Everton beat Sunderland 2-0. Beckford put the Toffees ahead in the eighth minute after he lifted the ball over the onrushing Simon Mignolet with Titus Bramble diverting the ball into the goal.

Beckford got his second when he converted Mikel Arteta’s cross from close range.