United hang on to six-point lead

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Park Ji-sung's 24th minute header put Manchester United on the way to their seventh successive home Premier League victory, a 2-0 win over Charlton which kept them six points clear at the top of the table.

Their closest rivals Chelsea maintained their challenge with a clearcut 3-0 home win over Middlesbrough, but third placed Liverpool went down 2-1 at Newcastle and are now 10 points adrift of the Stamford Bridge side.

After Park had put United in front, Charlton, one off the bottom and beaten in their last nine successive games against United, made a fight of it, but Darren Fletcher headed in from close range in the 83rd minute, after Scott Carson had parried a shot.

Chelsea, whose defensive frailties had manager Jose Mourinho despairing recently, completed a fifth successive game without conceding a goal as they beat Middlesbrough.

Didier Drogba put the champions ahead from a free-kick just before the break after Abel Xavier fouled Lassana Diarra 20 meters from goal.

Boro, who beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Riverside in August, hit the bar early in the second half, but went further behind after 66 minutes when Xavier diverted an Arjen Robben cross into his own net.

Chelsea secured a comfortable victory with Drogba's second goal of the match from a deflected free-kick seven minutes from time.

Craig Bellamy, back at St James' Park for the first time since leaving Newcastle two years ago, put Liverpool ahead after six minutes.

Obafemi Martins equalized after 26 minutes with his 12th goal of the season and Nolberto Solano gave Newcastle victory from the penalty spot after 70 minutes.

Andy Johnson celebrated his 26th birthday with the only goal after 10 minutes as Everton beat Blackburn 1-0. Everton dominated from then on with Mikel Arteta having an outstanding game for the home side.

Sheffield United came from behind to beat Tottenham 2-1 at Bramall Lane and finish the day 10 points clear of the relegation places.

Jermaine Jenas put Tottenham ahead after two minutes before Rob Hulse equalized for the Blades with his seventh goal of the season in the 27th minute when Spurs failed to clear a corner.

Dimitar Berbatov, who scored twice for Bulgaria in midweek, had the ball in United's net just before half-time, but the goal was disallowed for an infringement.

United scored the winner after 62 minutes when Phil Jagielka scored from a penalty after Teemo Tainio fouled Stephen Quinn.

Attacking midfielder Steve Sidwell scored both goals as Reading continued an outstanding first season in the top-flight with a 2-0 home win over Aston Villa.

It was the first time Reading had beaten Villa in 12 matches since 1912

A training ground move put Reading ahead after 16 minutes. No-one spotted Sidwell's run from the edge of the box and the former Arsenal trainee met Stephen Hunt's corner from the right with a near-post header.

Cool second

He added a cool second in stoppage time, steering the ball in after a one-two with Dave Kitson.

A result that brings relegation ever closer for West Ham but boosts Watford's hopes of survival.

Watford, repeated their 1-0 defeat of West Ham in the FA Cup on January 27, to achieve their first away league success of the season.

Their goal came after 12 minutes when Darius Henderson scored his first league goal of the season from the penalty spot after being fouled by Anton Ferdinand.

Marlon Harewood had a golden chance to equalize for West Ham but missed from the spot in the 59th minute, after Gavin Mahon fouled Nigel Reo-Coker.

Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes was carried off for the second time this season in a league game with Manchester City, but not before sending the home side on their way to a 2-1 win with a fine fifth minute drive.

Mendes, involved in a clash with Ben Thatcher earlier this season in Manchester, was injured when Joey Barton stepped on his heel. Portsmouth coach Harry Redknapp was ordered from the bench for his half-time protests about Barton's tackle.

Bernardo Corradie headed an equalizer but Nwankwo Kanu ended Portsmouth's six-game winless run by firing in a cross shot.

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