Champions go back to the top of the Premier League

Champions Manchester United secured a late 3-1 victory over Champions League hopefuls Tottenham at Old Trafford. The first half was a cagey affair and the clash remained goalless until the 58th minute. United won a penalty as full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto fouled Patrice Evra in the penalty area.

Veteran Welshman Ryan Giggs showed all his experience to slot the ball past Heurelho Gomes in the Tottenham goal. The visitors hit back in the 70th minute as defender Ledley King powered a header past Edwin van der Sar in the United goal. United pushed forward and with nine minutes left they got their reward.

Portuguese winger Nani chipped in a superb effort to send the Old Trafford crowd wild. United made sure of maximum points in the 85th minute Wilson Palacios bringing Nani down in the penalty area. Giggs stepped up and scored his brace from the penalty spot. United have gone two points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Elsewhere West Ham clinched a vital 3-2 victory over Wigan at Upton Park. The Hammers took the lead through Ilan before an own goal from Jonathan Spector levelled the game for the visitors. The home side regained the lead just before half-time through Radoslav Kovac.

The visitors equalised in the 52nd minute through a Hugo Rodallega strike. However in the 77th minute Scott Parker scored a fantastic long range effort after a superb run. The victory took West Ham six points clear of third from bottom Hull, who have vastly inferior goal difference.