Manchester United will start 2013 with a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after a hard-earned win over West Bromwich Albion.
Gareth McAuley deflected Ashley Young’s cross past Ben Foster for the opening goal at a rain-lashed Old Trafford.
Foster tipped a Young effort onto the bar, before West Brom’s Gabriel Tamas wasted a great close-range chance.
But United substitute, Robin van Persie, sealed victory with a curling finish in the 90th minute.
A 10-man Manchester City held off a determined Norwich to win a pulsating game at Carrow Road.
At the Emirates Stadium, Theo Walcott scored three goals and set up two more as Arsenal overcame Newcastle in a 10-goal thriller and climbed to fifth in the Premier League.
England – Premier League
Sunderland 1 – 2 Tottenham
Aston Villa 0 – 3 Wigan
Fulham 1 – 2 Swansea
Manchester United 2 – 0 West Bromwich Albion
Norwich 3 – 4 Manchester City
Reading 1 – 0 West Ham
Stoke 3 – 3 Southampton
Arsenal 7 – 3 Newcastle United