English Premier League round-up: RVP taken off injured as United extend their lead to 15

Published on 24/02/2013 03:27

Manchester United moved 15 points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 2-0 win over bottom side QPR at Loftus Road.

Brazilian full-back Rafael put United ahead with a powerful drive on 23 minutes after his compatriot Julio Cesar had saved from Robin van Persie.

United lost top scorer Van Persie with a hip injury but Ryan Giggs made sure of victory with a good strike ten minutes from time.

Wigan moved out of the bottom three and leapfrogged Reading with a convincing 3-0 win over the ten-man Royals in their relegation battle at the Madejski Stadium.Roberto Martinez’s men were second best early on but came to life in the last minute of the first half as Arouna Kone struck twice.

Maynor Figueroa grabbed the third early in the second period and Pavel Pogrebnyak was sent off for a bad challenge on Figueroa.

Romelu Lukaku claimed both goals as West Brom overcame Sunderland 2-1 at The Hawthorns. Moments after having a goal disallowed, the Belgian struck from the spot in the 35th minute after Craig Gardner was penalised for handling a cross.

Lukaku’s second came after he broke into the box and Simon Mignolet’s attempted clearance cannoned off him into the net. Stephane Sessegnon pulled one back 11 minutes from time.

Norwich staged a late fightback to beat Everton 2-1 with goals from Kai Kamara and Grant Holt in the final six minutes at Carrow Road.

Leon Osman had headed Everton ahead six minutes before half-time from a Leighton Baines cross. But the Canaries dealt Everton’s Champions League hopes a blow when Kamara headed in after a corner and Holt swept in from close range.

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov struck a stunning volley as Fulham beat Stoke 1-0 in the day’s early kick-off.

The Bulgarian hooked a spectacular shot from a clearance into the top corner to put the hosts in front in first-half injury time at Craven Cottage.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saved the points after he denied Stoke a goal when he stopped a second-half penalty from Jonathan Walters.