LONDON, March 16: Champions Manchester United remained on top of the English Premier League with a remarkable 5-3 victory at West Ham United Saturday.
West Ham led 1-0 and 2-1 but two goals by England captain David Beckham helped United to an extraordinary victory that lifted them two points clear of Liverpool, who won 2-1 at Middlesbrough earlier on Saturday.
David Moyes enjoyed a winning start as Everton manager when his team secured a 2-1 victory at home to Fulham, but Newcastle United’s title bid suffered as they were held 2-2 at home by lowly Ipswich, with Alan Shearer missing a stoppage-time penalty.
Chelsea crushed Sunderland 4-0 at Stamford Bridge, second-bottom Derby County triumphed 3-1 at fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers and bottom club Leicester City drew 2-2 at Southampton.
Earlier Liverpool kept their title hopes alive with a clinical 2-1 victory at Middlesbrough.
The home side had plenty of chances but goals in each half by Emile Heskey and John Arne Riise secured a vital win that lifted Liverpool’s points tally to 62 points, one more than Manchester United and two more than Arsenal.
Their lead could be short-lived though, with champions United visiting West Ham later Saturday. Arsenal travel to Aston Villa Sunday.
FA Cup semifinalists Middlesbrough, who had eased their relegation fears by losing only once in eight league games, were unfortunate to trail at halftime to Heskey’s close-range finish after 33 minutes.
They continued to pose a threat after the break but Riise made it 2-0 with a drilled shot from 20 metres after 84 minutes.
England defender Gareth Southgate headed a late goal for the home side with a minute left but they were unable to find an equaliser and stay 13th, five points above the relegation zone.
Premier League
Bolton Wanderers 1 Derby County 3
Chelsea 4 Sunderland 0
Everton 2 Fulham 1
Middlesbrough 1 Liverpool 2
Newcastle United 2 Ipswich Town 2
Southampton 2 Leicester City 2
West Ham United 3 Manchester United 5
Playing Sunday: Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers (1400 GMT) Aston Villa v Arsenal (1600).—Reuters