Manchester United extend lead with Wolves thrashing

Reigning champions Manchester United won 5-0 away to 10-man Wolves on Sunday, moving four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the English Premier League.

Goals from Jonny Evans, Antonio Valencia, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez's second-half double sent Wolves, already in the relegation zone, to the bottom of the table.

The heavy defeat for the Molineux club was made worse by the 39th minute red card shown to defender Ronald Zubar for two bookable offences.

However, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson put his team's performance in perspective by telling Sky Sports: "It was okay, I don't think it was anything special. I think we've taken our goals well."

"The finish from Valencia was fantastic. Antonio is back in the team and his form was fantastic. He's made one for Danny Welbeck before half-time that killed the match."

"It's difficult for them (Wolves) with 10 men, they were honest and kept plugging away but the 3-0 advantage was too much for them."

Asked about the title race, Ferguson added: "Hopefully we achieve what we want to achieve.

"What's significant today is it's reduced the goal difference by five goals and that's down to three now and it may make a difference at the end of the season," he added.

"I expect it to go to the wire."

Central defender Evans scored his first goal for United in the 21st minute with a close range shot after being teed up by Michael Carrick following a United corner.

At 1-0 down, Wolves were not yet out of the game but they then saw Zubar, already shown a yellow card for a heavy challenge on Wayne Rooney, sent off by referee Anthony Taylor after diving in on Welbeck.

United made Wolves pay by scoring two more goals before the break for a 3-0 half-time lead, with the unchallenged Valencia netting before setting up Welbeck for United's third goal in first half stoppage-time.

Hernandez, completely unmarked, made it 4-0 with a close-range header in the 56th minute and minutes later he scored his second and United's fifth with a half-volley at the far post after getting on the end of Valencia's cross.

Victory left United four points clear of title rivals City before their cross-town foes' match at home to Chelsea on Wednesday.

Sunday's other Premier League match sees Newcastle continue their quest for European football at home to Norwich.