BPL : Glorious Performance by Big Four

Manchester United 4 - 0 WBA
Manchester United were convincing winners against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney took his tally to eight goals in six matches in all competitions to set United on their way to victory. Rooney had already seen a first-half effort disallowed for a push on Gianni Zuiverloon when he broke the Baggies' resistance with an excellent solo effort 11 minutes after the re-start. He then set up Cristiano Ronaldo for a second before Dimitar Berbatov wrapped up a productive 15-minute period, his first goal in Premier League and substitute Nani completed the scoring at the end.

Middlesbrough 0 - 5 Chelsea
Chelsea threw down the gauntlet to their title rivals by cruising to a 5-0 win at Middlesbrough. Despite missing several key players due to injury, the Blues totally outclassed their hosts. Salomon Kalou put them in front after just 14 minutes, slotting home after the ball fell kindly to him. After the break, Chelsea eased to victory, sent on their way by a 35-yard screamer from Juliano Belletti. Kalou got his second to make it 3-0 before Frank Lampard headed in the fourth. Florent Malouda rounded off the scoring, tapping in the rebound from Boro keeper Ross Turnbull.

Liverpool 3 - 2 Wigan
Liverpool maintained their unbeaten home league record in 2008 with a stunning comeback victory, but how Wigan Athletic made them fight. They were twice behind to first-half goals from Egyptian striker Amr Zaki, his second an acrobatic volley at the Kop End. Dirk Kuyt's first equaliser kept Liverpool in the match and they fought their way back to win 3-2, just as they had at Manchester City a fortnight ago. The Latics were down to 10 men and Liverpool powered forward, with Albert Riera grabbing the equaliser and Kuyt, with a slightly less clean version of Zaki's volley, secured maximum points for Rafael Benitez's side.

Arsenal 3 - 1 Everton
Arsenal showed the kind of fighting spirit they will need to stay the course in the Barclays Premier League title race after coming from behind to beat Everton 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Arsene Wenger was forced to field a reshuffled defence because of injuries to captain William Gallas and Bacary Sagna, but the new-look back four was exposed after just nine minutes when Leon Osman put the visitors ahead. However, after another enforced change when Kolo Toure was forced off at half-time because of a shoulder problem and England winger Theo Walcott was introduced from the bench, the team had better balance and soon drew level through Samir Nasri. Robin van Persie - who on another day could have bagged himself a hat-trick - nodded in from close range to complete the comeback, with Walcott drilling home an angled effort in stoppage time to give the bruised Gunners renewed confidence for more stern challenges over the next seven months.

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