Manchester United thrashed Birmingham 5-0 at Old Trafford. It was a walk in the park for a very impressive United side, who dominated the entire match. They took the lead when Dimitar Berbatov was on hand to head the ball over the line after Giggs’s corner had been flicked on by O’Shea. Berbatov doubled his and United’s total after he cut inside Johnson and drilled a low shot beyond Foster. The game was effectively over in first half stoppage time when superb play from Berbatov and Rooney culminated in Rooney’s drilled cross being turned in at the back post by Ryan Giggs. Berbatov sealed his hat-trick in the second half, sliding in Giggs’s cross. The win was wrapped up when the Birmingham defence allowed Nani too much time and space, the Portuguese international punished them firing a shot low into the far corner from the edge of the area.

Arsenal outclassed Wigan as they won 3-0 at the Emirates. A Robin Van Persie hat-trick guided the Gunners to victory. Van Persie opened the scoring when he latched onto Song’s through ball and rifled his shot past Al Habsi. Arsenal were two up in the second half, Fabregas’s fantastic long pass being guided in by Van Persie. Arsenal were given a penalty after Gary Cadlwell brought down Fabregass, a foul that earned the Wigan centre-back a red card. Van Persie stepped up to take the spot kick but he blasted his shot over the bar. However, the Arsenal forward did get his hat-trick, good hold up play by Walcott allowing Van Persie to get a shot away which beat Al Habsi at the front post.

Liverpool recorded their first win since Kenny Dalglish re-took charge of the reds, beating Wolves 0-3. It was a good display from the away side, looking solid in defence and clinical in attack. Liverpool took the lead when Meireles’s square ball was passed into the net by Fernando Torres. Five minutes after the re-start the reds doubled their advantage, a Meireles’s magnificent volley from long range giving Hennessey no chance. The scoring was complete deep into the second half, a strong run from Kuyt leading to Torres striking the ball into the roof of the net.

Aston Villa were 1-0 winners over Manchester City courtesy of a debut goal from Darren Bent. But he will have to score a lot more if he is o justify his 18m transfer fee. The winner came when Hart could only parry Young’s shot and Bent was on hand to turn the ball in. City pressed in the second half but they were unable to convert chances into goals and the game finished 1-0.

Tottenham came back from a goal down to grab a draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park. Newcastle will be bitterly disappointed to have only got a point having been ahead until stoppage time. They had taken the lead thanks to great play from Fabricio Coloccini, taking the ball down expertly first time and drilling a low shot into the far corner. But the game was very open until the end and this allowed Spurs a chance and Aaron Lennon equalised, cutting in from the left and drilling a low shot past Harper.

Chelsea were 0-4 winners over Bolton at the Reebok. Carlo Ancelotti wll be pleased that all his forwards in a game that showed Chelsea haven’t lost their goal threat, despite a recent drop in form. The away side took the lead when a fantastic 30 yard strike from Didier Drogba soared past Jaaskelainen and into the net. Chelsea made it two, Florent Malouda squeezing the ball in from a tight angle after the ball rebounded off Cahill. Chelsea were 0-3 up after the re-start when Essien’s ball found Nicolas Anelka who finished clinically. The scoring was complete when Ramires guided in another good ball from Essien.

Sunderland managed to overcome the loss of Darren Bent to beat Blackpool 1-2 at Bloomfield Road. Sunderland’s opener came when Kieran Richardson was played through by Gyan, and the former United man slid the ball under Kingston. Sunderland were two up thanks to a second from Richardson beating Kingston low at his front post. Blackpool were awarded a penalty when Vaughan was tripped by Onuoha. Charlie Adam stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.

Everton twice came back from a goal down to grab a point against West Ham at Goodison Park. The Hammers were perhaps the better side but they were unable to hold out and take all three points. The away side took the lead when Boa Morte’s pull back was turned in by Jonathon Spector. Everton levelled for the first time, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov blasting in to make it 1-1. West Ham re-took the lead when Bridges’s cross was flicked in by Frederic Piquionne, but the West Ham forward was too exuberant with his celebration and was handed a second yellow card. Everton equalised in stoppage time, Mauroane Fellani’s shot on the turn finding the bottom corner.

Fulham were 2-0 winners over Stoke at Craven Cottage. The home side took the lead when Johnson’s low cross was turned in by Clint Dempsey from close range. Fulham were awarded a penalty after Shawcross brought down Dempsey, the Stoke man seeing red for his foul. Dempsey stepped up to take the spot kick and drilled it straight down the middle.

Blackburn beat West Brom 2-0 at Ewood Park. It was a solid performance from Rovers but West Brom will be disappointed as they never really got into their stride. The home side took the lead when Dunn’s cross was headed into his own net by Gabriel Tamas, who completely misjudged the flight of the ball. Immediately after the re-start Rovers were two up, David Hoilett’s thunderous strike from the edge of the area rocketing past Myhill. West Brom should have been awarded a penalty in the second half, but Mr Clattenberg wrongly adjudged the foul to have been outside the box.

By Mark Hodgson