Manchester United took a huge step towards retaining their Premier League title when they beat West Ham United 4-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday after playing more than half the match with 10 men.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice while Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick scored against their old club as United moved on to 84 points with one match to go.

Chelsea, who are at Newcastle United on Monday, have 81 points, but a vastly inferior goal difference to United.

At the other end of the table, Fulham continued their revival with a 2-0 win at Craven Cottage over fellow relegation candidates Birmingham City, who are now second from the bottom. Reading dropped into the relegation zone after losing 1-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur in their sixth successive match without a goal.

Aston Villa’s hopes of an automatic spot in the UEFA Cup next season were hit after they lost 2-0 to Wigan Athletic. United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports News afterwards: “That was an important game today and I’m very pleased.”

If Chelsea lose on Monday, the title will be United’s unless they lose at Wigan and Chelsea beat Bolton Wanderers with a winning margin well into double figures in their final league matches next week.

Ronaldo’s double

Ronaldo, named England’s Footballer of the Year for the second successive season on Friday, gave United a third-minute lead and added another when he turned the ball in off his thigh after 24 minutes to take his season’s tally in all competitions to 40 goals.

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