United in Premiership driving seat

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is starting to contemplate an unprecedented treble of the Champions League, FA Cup and league championship.

United went four points clear at the top of the table after beating Everton 3-1 at Old Trafford yesterday to make it nine wins in their last 10 Premiership games, capping a successful week in which they progressed to the semi-finals of Europe's most prestigious trophy.

"The evidence of the last 18 days when we have played six games and done so well is excellent," said Ferguson. "We are looking very powerful, very strong. I can see the players approaching the games in the right way," he added. "They are focusing on winning every game, and the evidence of how they are going about it is very encouraging."

United have put together a 19-match unbeaten run and now face just eight more league games - with the FA Cup semi-final and possible final plus a two-leg Champions' League showdown with Juventus and another possible final - to complete what could be an historic season.

Ferguson praised United's ability to shake off the emotional tiredness of their midweek triumph over Inter Milan.

Arsenal had got back to within one point of United on Saturday after a 2-0 win over Coventry. Chelsea are within seven points of United, with a game in hand. Leeds, after a six-match winning streak, are nine points behind, but have to play all three teams above them before the end of the season.