Rooney a knockout as Reds crush Spurs

Chelsea opened a six-point lead in the Premier League yesterday following a 1-1 draw with Southampton, but Manchester United enjoyed perhaps their finest performance yet under Louis van Gaal with a 3-0 trouncing of Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea increased their advantage over Manchester City despite Diego Costa's 11th-minute close-range header being answered eight minutes later by Dusan Tadic's fortuitous penalty in an absorbing encounter at Stamford Bridge.

United, so often criticised for being slow and directionless under Dutchman Van Gaal, produced the most electric performance of the day, crushing Spurs with first-half goals from Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney.

United, reeling from Monday's FA Cup defeat by Arsenal, produced a performance Old Trafford had been longing for as they blew fellow top-four chasers Spurs away with the pace, precision and directness that has so often been missing this season.

Fellaini, released by Carrick's intelligent through ball, put them ahead after nine minutes with a sweet left-foot strike, before Carrick headed home from distance 10 minutes later after the excellent Fellaini had wrought more havoc.

Rooney's bustling run and cool finish after 34 minutes provided the knockout blow.

A newspaper ran a bizarre story yesterday about Rooney being knocked out by his friend, Stoke City player Phil Bardsley, in a boxing bout in Rooney's kitchen. His amused response after his goal was to celebrate by throwing a few shadow punches before falling theatrically on to his back amid delighted cheers from fans.

Chelsea, on 64 points, still have a game in hand on Manchester City, who were beaten at Burnley on Saturday.

United, with 56 points, have climbed within a point of Arsenal and two of their cross-city rivals City as well as moving five points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool.

Their win also seriously dents the Champions League qualifying hopes of Spurs who, on 50 points, are now behind sixth-placed Southampton on goal difference.

In yesterday's other game, Everton eased pressure on manager Roberto Martinez with their first home league success in three months with a 3-0 win over 10-man Newcastle United.

Newcastle had Fabricio Coloccini sent off just before the hour for a foul on Aaron Lennon.

It was only Everton's second win in their last 13 Premier League matches.