Manchester United have stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 13 games after a second-half own goal by West Ham United's Craig Dawson gave them a 1-0 home win in the Premier League.
The result left United second on 57 points from 29 games, 14 behind Manchester City, who have played a game more, while West Ham stayed fifth on 48 points from 28 matches, three behind fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand.
United were twice denied by the woodwork and by a pair of fine saves from visiting goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, but they ground out their victory as Dawson turned an inswinging Bruno Fernandes corner into his own net in the 53rd minute.
Fabianski tipped a Mason Greenwood shot onto the outside of the post in the first half and, after the hosts took the lead, clawed a first-time shot by Bruno Fernandes out of the bottom right corner.
Greenwood rattled the woodwork again after a darting solo run from his own half in the 76th minute, as the home side looked to exploit gaps with West Ham throwing men forward.
The subdued visitors posed no threat up front as United, who were missing injured strikers Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial, held out comfortably in the closing stages.
Iheanacho fires hat-trick as Foxes thrash Blades
Kelechi Iheanacho scored a superb hat-trick as Leicester City crushed bottom side Sheffield United 5-0.
United manager Chris Wilder left the club late on Saturday and coach Paul Heckingbottom, who will take charge until the end of the season, had no time to fix the team's defensive frailty and toothless attack.
Ayoze Perez went close with an early header for Leicester, but Aaron Ramsdale was alive to the danger, getting his fingertips to the ball to turn it onto the far post.
He only managed to delay the inevitable, however, and Leicester went ahead in the 39th minute when Jamie Vardy latched on to a clever pass and his perfect centre left Iheanacho with a simple tap-in.
Iheanacho tried to repay the favour early in the second half, teeing up Vardy for a first-time shot but Chris Basham headed his effort off the line as Vardy, who has scored only once this year, struggled again in front of goal.
Perez added the second in the 64th minute with a low shot before Vardy again set up Iheanacho for another simple finish.
The Nigerian saved the best for last, firing home a powerful left-foot shot in the 78th minute to complete his first Premier League hat-trick.
Vardy's shot was turned into his own net by Ethan Ampadu to complete the rout.
Sheffield United remain bottom on 14 points, 14 behind Newcastle United in 17th place.
"I don't know how to express this, I've been waiting for this day to come. I'm grateful to God, my teammates and my manager for helping me grow," Iheanacho told Sky Sports.
Brighton end barren run with win at Saints
Brighton & Hove Albion have secured their first Premier League win over Southampton as goals from Lewis Dunk and Leandro Trossard led them to a 2-1 victory at St Mary's Stadium.
The win ended Brighton's three-match losing run and moved them one place up the table to 16th, on 29 points after 28 games, three points above the relegation zone.
Winger Trossard said the victory was a relief for Graham Potter's side.
"We were the better team overall and finally we got the three points," the 26-year-old said. "It's a relief and now we can build on that."
Brighton captain Dunk scored the opener with a thumping header into the bottom corner in the 16th minute after midfielder Pascal Gross curled the ball into the penalty area.
Southampton drew level 11 minutes later through forward Che Adams who volleyed home after Dunk had failed to clear the ball inside the box. It was the English forward's third goal in as many league games.
Brighton regained the lead in the 56th minute when Belgian Trossard fired from 12 yards out following a through pass from striker Danny Welbeck who was set up on the edge of the box by midfielder Adam Lallana.
Southampton failed to recover and slumped to their 14th defeat of the season. After leading the standings in November, Ralph Hasenhuttl's side are now 14th with 33 points from 29 matches.
Reuters
