Dimitar Berbatov scored both goals on Sunday as Manchester United emerged
from the grip of winter to beat Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford and consolidate
top spot in the Premier League.

The Bulgarian headed the leaders in front
after five minutes and struck again with a deflected shot after the break as
unbeaten United moved to 37 points from 17 games at the start of a hectic
holiday programme.

Manchester City are second with 35 points from 19
games after former United striker Carlos Tevez scored twice in a 3-1 victory at
Newcastle United although Arsenal can move back above them with victory over
fourth-placed Chelsea on Monday.

Bolton Wanderers are up to fifth thanks
to a 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion. Stoke City are eighth after a 2-0
victory at Blackburn Rovers.

Carlton Cole was another striker in form,
grabbing two goals for West Ham United as they won 3-1 at Fulham to climb off
the bottom of the table, above Wolverhampton Wanderers who were beaten 2-1 at
home by fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic.

Two of the holiday fixtures
succumbed to the freezing weather conditions that have played havoc with the
British sporting calendar in the past fortnight.

Blackpool's home game
with Liverpool was postponed after their Bloomfield Road pitch, the only one in
the top flight without undersoil heating, failed an inspection. It was the
club's third consecutive home game to fall foul of the weather.

Everton's
home match against Birmingham City was called off after Goodison Park's water
pipes burst.

Later on Sunday Tottenham Hotspur are in action at Aston
Villa.