Manchester United celebrated 20 years under Alex Ferguson's command with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Portsmouth to stay top of the Premier League yesterday.
The points were effectively in the bag after 10 minutes at Old Trafford thanks to a Louis Saha penalty and a dazzling free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo. Nemanja Vidic headed the third midway through the second half.
With champions Chelsea not in action until today, United forged three points clear with 28 from 11 games. Chelsea have 25 while third-placed Bolton (20) lost ground after a 1-0 defeat at home to Wigan.
At the other end of the table, draw specialists Watford notched their first win of the season, moving out of the bottom three with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough, while Charlton briefly climbed off the bottom by beating Manchester City 1-0.
The London side were back there later though after Sheffield United won 1-0 at Newcastle for their first away win this season. Danny Webber headed the winner in the 68th minute.
That result left Newcastle one off the bottom in 19th place with the boos of the home fans ringing in their ears after defeat at St James' Park left them without a league win for seven matches.
Charlton, Newcastle and West Ham all have eight points with just goal difference separating them although the Hammers have yet to play their weekend match today.
Everton missed a chance to rise into the top four when they went down 1-0 against Fulham at Craven Cottage where they have not scored a league goal since 1967.
Improving Liverpool joined them on 17 points thanks to a Dirk Kuyt double in a comfortable 2-0 home win against Reading.
Manchester United seemed determined to make up for the blip of a 1-0 Champions League defeat by FC Copenhagen in midweek, tearing into Portsmouth from the first whistle.
It took less than two minutes for Saha to beat David James from the penalty spot after Wayne Rooney's burst into the penalty area was curtailed by Dejan Stefanovic.
Saha was causing mayhem in the Pompey defence and when he was fouled after 10 minutes Ronaldo stepped up to send a superb free-kick past James.
The Portsmouth keeper stood firm against a rampant United, denying Gary Neville on two occasions before half-time. Saha also found James in inspired form but the former England stopper was finally beaten again when Vidic headed in powerfully from Neville's cross.
Portsmouth rarely threatened, although Croatia international Niko Kranjcar did slice wastefully wide when the score was 2-0.
"In the main I'm very pleased, very good forward play and we could have scored a few goals," Ferguson said.
Liverpool climbed to seventh and took their goal tally to 12 in four games as Kuyt scored in each half.
He put the Reds ahead after 14 minutes when a Peter Crouch header fell into his path and then wrapped up the points with 20 minutes remaining after keeper Marcus Hahnemann failed to hold another Crouch header.
Watford, who had drawn six of their opening 10 games after promotion back to the top flight, were full value for their first three-point haul of the season.
Hameur Bouazza's shot deflected in off Boro defender Jonathan Woodgate after six minutes to give them a dream start and England U-21 striker Ashley Young seized on a poor defensive header to clinch the win after the break.
"We had an opportunity last week (against Tottenham) but sooner or later if you keep banging at the door, the door will open," manager Aidy Boothroyd said.
Upcoming fixtures
Tuesday: League Cup fourth round - 8.45 p.m. Chesterfield vs Charlton; Notts County vs Wycombe; Southend vs Man. United; Watford vs Newcastle.
Wednesday: League Cup fourth round - 8.45 p.m. Birmingham vs Liverpool; Chelsea vs Aston Villa. 9 p.m. Everton vs Arsenal; Tottenham vs Port Vale.
Saturday: Premier League - 1.45 p.m. Manchester City vs Newcastle. 4 p.m. Chelsea vs Watford; Everton vs Aston Villa; Middlesbrough vs West Ham; Portsmouth vs Fulham; Sheffield United vs Bolton; Wigan vs Charlton. 6.15 p.m. Blackburn Rovers vs Manchester United.
Sunday: Premier League - 2.30 p.m. Reading vs Tottenham. 5 p.m. Arsenal vs Liverpool.