MANCHESTER United strengthened their grip on the English Premier League race yesterday when they won 3-2 at Sheffield Wednesday while none of their nearest challengers managed a victory.
United won with two goals from Mark Hughes and one from his Welsh international teammate Ryan Giggs to go five points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who were held 0-0 at Anfield by Liverpool, who have now gone 500 minutes without a goal.
Aston Villa, who began the day third, crashed 2-0 at home to Newcastle, who clocked up their first away win of the season with goals from Malcolm Allen with a penalty and Andy Cole, his 11th in 11 games.
Wimbledon, who started the day in fourth place, crashed 4-0 at Leeds, who climbed from fifth to third.
Bottom-placed Swindon are still looking for their first win after losing 3-1 at home to Blackburn, for whom Alan Shearer scored twice.
The 23-year-old England striker was starting his first match this season after five games as substitute.
Blackburn's win was soured when Paul Warhurst was carried off with a suspected broken leg.
