United keep pressure on Chelsea with Wolves win

Manchester United beat Wolves 3-0 at Old Trafford last night to draw level on points with Premier League leaders Chelsea.

However, the Blues - who remain top on goal difference - will re-establish a points gap between themselves and reigning champions United if they avoid defeat at home to bottom of the table Portsmouth tonight.

England striker Wayne Rooney put United, beaten at home by Aston Villa last weekend, ahead from the penalty spot in the 30th minute after Ronald Zumar handled Darron Gibson's corner and central defender Nemanja Vidic doubled the lead just before half-time when he headed in a corner that Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann could only palm into the net.

Antonio Valencia's 66th minute half-volley made it 3-0 as Wolves dropped into the relegation zone.

Victory gave Sir Alex Ferguson a win in his 900th league match as United manager but Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, in what appeared to be an attempt to keep his best players fit for the more 'winnable' game against Burnley on Saturday, made 10 changes to his team.

In yesterday's other Premier League matches, Villa leap- frogged Arsenal, who play Burnley today, into third place with a 2-0 victory away to Sunderland, who had captain Lorik Cana sent-off for two yellow cards.

Cameron Jerome scored twice as Birmingham City beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 for a club record fifth straight Premier League to move up into sixth place.

Meanwhile Bolton beat relegation rivals West Ham 3-1 as they climbed out of the bottom three.

Today's other Premier League matches see Tottenham and Manchester City, both bidding to break into the top four, in action at White Hart Lane while Liverpool, struggling to hold on to their place among the leading quartet, are at home to Wigan.