Published 2/25/2007 8:09:42 AM by Staff from PremierLeague.com

Manchester United moved nine points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premiership with a 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage thanks to a late winner from Cristiano Ronaldo.
FULHAM 1-2 MANCHESTER UNITED

Brian McBride fired the hosts in front with his 12th goal of the campaign following a penalty-box mix-up between Edwin van der Sar and Nemanja Vidic. Fulham were outstanding in the opening stages but stand-in Red Devils skipper Giggs pulled the visitors level when he met Wayne Rooney’s far-post cross with a clipped volley, which flew into the bottom corner.

But Ronaldo, as so often this season, proved United’s saviour in the 88th minute, running from his own half and drilling a shot past Cottagers goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka with the aid of a deflection off Philippe Christanval.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC 4-0 WEST HAM UNITED

Alan Curbishley made an unhappy return to The Valley with his new club West Ham United as Charlton Athletic claimed three points and a huge psychological advantage in the fight to stay in the Barclays Premiership with a 4-0 win.

The hosts seized the advantage in the 24th minute when Marcus Bent crossed from the right and Darren Ambrose connected with a cushioned left-foot volley that was too good for Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green.

Jerome Thomas added a second 10 minutes later when he took on Calum Davenport and fired a low left-foot shot across Green and into the far corner.

The Hammers’ embarrassment increased when Paul Konchesky was dispossessed by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who released Darren Bent to tuck in Charlton’s third.

The humiliation was completed by Thomas with 10 minutes to go, as the former Arsenal player sidefooted home from Ambrose’s low cross from the right. The win moved the Addicks three points above West Ham.

LIVERPOOL 4-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Third-placed Liverpool were too good for Sheffield United as they followed up their Champions League heroics in Barcelona with a 4-0 win at Anfield. The Reds took the lead from the spot in the 20th minute after Blades defender Rob Kozluk was penalised for fouling Steven Gerrard as the pair jostled for position at a corner.

Robbie Fowler converted it and had another to take five minutes later when Gerrard was again fouled, this time by Nick Montgomery. Fowler’s brace constituted his first Barclays Premiership goals since scoring a penalty against the Blades on the opening day of the season in August.

Liverpool added a third with 20 minutes remaining as centre-back Sami Hyypia prodded a shot past Paddy Kenny following a Jermaine Pennant corner and Gerrard added an excellent fourth, firing across Kenny after bringing a superb Fowler pass under his spell.

MIDDLESBROUGH 2-1 READING

Middlesbrough clipped high-flying Reading’s wings as they claimed a 2-1 win at the Riverside. Boro forged ahead after six minutes when Emanuel Pogatetz nodded down a free-kick into the box and Mark Viduka’s improvised back-heel from close range beat goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Their second arrived midway through the second half when Viduka passed to Ayegbeni Yakubu and the Nigerian turned and rifled in an unstoppable shot.

John Oster’s well-placed shot from Glen Little’s cross halved the deficit, but Gareth Southgate’s men claimed the three points.

WATFORD 0-3 EVERTON

Everton moved up to seventh in the table with a 3-0 win at Watford. Manuel Fernandes was credited with the Toffees’ first at Vicarage Road in the 23rd minute and Andy Johnson added a second from the penalty spot two minutes later after he was fouled by Malky Mackay.

Leon Osman came off the bench to net a third in added time, curling home left-footed from outside the box. The result meant Watford remain bottom of the Barclays Premiership with 19 points, seven points adrift of safety with just 10 games remaining.

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