Manchester United [Images] thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday as the Premier League champions moved an ominous step closer to leaders Liverpool.
Nemanja Vidic headed United in front in first-half stoppage time and Wayne Rooney [Images] doubled their advantage on the hour with a close-range volley.
Dimitar Berbatov completed the rout in the 87th minute to lift United into third place.
Alex Ferguson's side are now just five points behind Liverpool and one behind Chelsea but with two games in hand of both their main title rivals.
Defeat was Chelsea's first on the road in the league this season and continued manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's [Images] poor record against the top sides since taking over at Stamford Bridge.
Earlier, Wigan Athletic won for the sixth time in seven league matches when Maynor Figueroa's stoppage time header earned a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, who are third from bottom.
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