Manchester United 4 - 1 West Ham United

Manchester United took another giant step to retaining their Premier League title with a comfortable home win over an unadventurous West Ham.

United, who started the day level on points with Chelsea but with a far superior goal difference, got off to the perfect start when Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home his 29th league goal of the season in just the 3rd minute. The Portuguese winger collected the ball on the right wing, cut in past Lucas Neill and hammered a shot past visiting keeper Robert Green.

The visitors were denied a penalty 15 minutes later when Wes Brown clearly handled the ball in the box but the free kick was given the other way by Mike Riley.

United were soon on the attack again and Ronaldo’s second of game duly arrived when he popped up at the far past to knock in a cross from Owen Hargreaves. And two minutes later, Carlos Tevez got in on the act as he let fly from outside the box to once again leave Green grasping at thin air.

But as the first half came towards an end, West Ham were given hope when first Dean Ashton fired in a spectacular over head kick and then when Nani got himself sent off for a needless head butt on Neill.

However, if the travelling Hammer’s fans, not to mention the watching Chelsea supporters, thought they might see the visitors fly out of the traps in the second period, they were to be sadly mistaken.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley seemed to be content to let his side play within themselves and 10 man United were put under very little pressure.

Indeed, they even conjured up a 4th goal when Michael Carrick ran unchallenged towards the box and saw his shot deflect in off Neill.

So the focus now shifts to Chelsea’s game on Monday at Newcastle which the London side must win to stop United claiming a 10th premier League title.