Red Devils Again Stretch Their EPL Lead Over Chelsea

Nine games were played Saturday in the English Premier League:

At Manchester:

Manchester United gave Sir Alex Ferguson a neat 65th-birthday present by defeating visiting Reading 3-2 to stretch their EPL standing lead over Chelsea to six points. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice (59', 77') for the Red Devils.

At London:

Carlos Bocanegra's equalizer at 84 minutes enabled Fulham to gain a big 1-1 road draw with Chelsea to knock the two-time defending champs six points in back of Manchester United atop the EPL standings.

At London:

Bryan Hughes scored the game winner at 90 minutes to Charlton Athletic their first win for new head coach (manager) Alan Pardew, a 2-1 home come-from-behinder over slumping Aston Villa.

At Liverpool:

Victor Anichebe's double (9', 58') helped powered Everton to an impressive 3-0 whitewashing of visiting Newcastle United.

At Sheffield:

Christian Nada (pictured here, celebrating [Shaun Botterill/Getty Images]) scored the lone goal (41') as Sheffield United blanked visiting Arsenal 1-0.

At Blackburn:

Blackburn, thanks to Benni's McCarthy's game winner in the 74th minute, defeated Middlesbrough 2-1 at home.

At Bolton:

Powered by goals from Abdoulaye Faye (30'), Ivan Campo (40'), and Nicolas Anelka (62'), Bolton picked up their fifth straight EPL victory, 3-2 over visiting Portsmouth.

At London:

Luis Garcia scored the lone goal (45') as Liverpool defeated homestanding Tottenham Hotspur 1-0.

At London:

DaMarcus Beasley notched his first goal (83') for Manchester United as the visiting Citizens defeated West Ham United 1-0.