10-man Manchester United rout West Ham in EPL

BULL'S EYE: Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals for United in the EPL match against West Ham.

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Keywords: English Premier League, Soccer

London: Ten-man Manchester United beat West Ham 4-1 on Saturday with two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo to increase the pressure on title rival Chelsea in the English Premier League.

United moved three points clear at the top with 84 points and a game left to play. United's only rival Chelsea have 81 points with a game in hand and play Newcastle on Monday.

"It's been a great day for us and we've got a big chance," ManchesterUnited manager Alex Ferguson said. "Our players have been absolutely fantastic this season. We were down to 10 men today and I said to try to run the clock down, keep possession and be patient in the second half and I'm very pleased because there was a bit of tiredness."

United and Chelsea also play in the Champions League final on May 21 in Moscow.

Also on Saturday, it was: Aston Villa 0, Wigan 2; Blackburn 3, Derby 1; Fulham 2, Birmingham 0; Middlesbrough 2, Portsmouth 0; and Reading 0, Tottenham 1; and Bolton 2, Sunderland 0.

On Sunday, Arsenal host Everton and Manchester City are at Liverpool.

Bolton effectively secured their place in next season's Premier League with a 2-0 win over Sunderland. The now have 36 points in 16th place but have a much better goal difference than 18th-place Reading.

"We know we're not mathematically safe, but it puts us on the road to being safe," Bolton captain Kevin Nolan said.

That whittles the relegation battle down to three clubs.

Fulham moved out of the relegation zone for the first time this year with their win over Birmingham - pushing Reading down into the bottom three.

Fulham have 33 points for 17th place, ahead of Reading on goal difference. Birmingham are in 19th place with 32 points, with already-relegated Derby with 11 points.

"The atmosphere right now is euphoric and I'm happy about that because you need to take all the good moments that come in football," Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said. "But it's not finished yet and the euphoria of this week could turn into sadness next Sunday if we're relegated."