Berbatov nets 3; Park Ji-sung opens scoring


LONDON (AP) ― Manchester United flourished as Manchester City floundered on Monday to wipe out its neighbor’s lead in the Premier League title race.

City’s was left clinging to top spot on goal difference after its expensively assembled attacking unit failed to score in the league for the first time this season in a 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

Injury-hit United took full advantage, with Dimitar Berbatov’s hat trick powering the champions to a second 5-0 rout in a week against Wigan.

“We’re really hitting good form now and there’s a real goal threat about us from all departments,” United manager Alex Ferguson said. “If we’re top of the league or joint top with City by New Year’s Day I’ll be happy.”

Combined with Wednesday’s 5-0 thrashing of Fulham, United seems to have shaken off its early Champions League exit earlier this month.

“It was a wake-up call because maybe everyone looked at themselves in the mirror and said, ‘We can do much better,”’ United defender Patrice Evra said. “What the fans expect of every player, we are doing now.”

City and United are 10 points ahead of third-place Tottenham, which plays the first of two games in hand at Norwich on Tuesday.

Chelsea is a point further back in fourth and has all but given on up on its title hopes after Fulham condemned its west London rival to a third consecutive 1-1 draw.

Liverpool, three points behind Chelsea in sixth, failed to seize on Chelsea’s slip-up, drawing 1-1 at home to bottom-place Blackburn.

Almost halfway through the season, the title race looks more and more like a two-horse race, although City is starting to show signs of weaknesses after setting a record for the best start ever to a Premier League campaign.

Mario Balotelli struck the top of the crossbar from 30 yards at the start of the second half having already had a goal disallowed when he volleyed home only to see an offside flag raised.