Manchester United remain 15 points clear of Manchester City after they both won today, while the pressure is again mounting on Rafa Benitez after Chelsea suffered a blow in their bid for a Champions League position.
As time counted down at the Stadium of Light, Man United fans were singing “We’re having a party on derby day” as United moved three points closer to their 20th league title. The goal came when Titus Bramble deflected a Robin van Persie shot into his own goal past Mignolet.
The loss leaves Sunderland, who were really poor, without a win in eight and one point above the relegation zone. With a tough run of games, Sunderland are a real threat to get relegated this season.
Sunderland’s rivals Newcastle, fared little better against another Manchester side as they lost for the third time in the last four matches at City. Carlos Tévez and David Silva struck late in the first half and Vincent Kompany and James Perch both deflected shots beyond Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot in the second half.
The battle for the third and fourth Champions League slots took another turn as Chelsea lost 2-1 at Southampton. Spurs jumped above Chelsea when they won 2-1 at Swansea, while Arsenal moved to within two points of Rafa’s side after beating Wigan 4-1.
At the bottom of the table, Wigan moved out of the bottom three, albeit on goal difference, after beating Norwich 1-0. With 7 or 8 games left, the relegation battle is threatening to drag down a lot of teams. There only six points separating Aston Villa in 18th place and Fulham in 10th.
