A lethargic Manchester United lost 1-0 at lowly Wigan Athletic to open the door for Manchester City to cut its Premier League lead to five points with a thumping victory over West Bromwich Albion Wednesday. Carlos Tevez scored on his first start for City since September in a 4-0 win as the title race took a surprise twist with five matches remaining. United was undone by Shaun Maloney's superb curling effort early in the second half of a match where refereeing decisions went against both sides. Arsenal strengthened its hold on third spot and an automatic Champions League berth with a 3-0 win at 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers, which props up the table and looks doomed to relegation. Wigan enjoyed a bright start and Alex Ferguson looked worried, berating Wayne Rooney from the touchline on one occasion as United looked as lackluster as it has all season. Controversy struck when Victor Moses thought he had nodded Wigan ahead only for a linesman to harshly rule that Gary Caldwell had obstructed David de Gea. Wigan was similarly stung by the officials at the weekend when Chelsea won thanks to two offside goals. However, the host was not left to rue a decision this time after Maloney gave it a deserved lead. An abject Rooney was substituted midway through the second half and United started to improve but the closest it came was a big shout for a penalty when Maynor Figueroa appeared to handle the ball. Wigan held out and climbed up to 17th in the table, one place and two points above the drop zone, although fellow relegation candidates Queens Park Rangers won 3-0 at home to Swansea City to stop them reaching 16th. City took an early lead through top scorer Sergio Aguero with a low shot to the bottom corner of the net and he doubled its tally after the break when he finished off Samir Nasri's pass. Fellow Argentine Tevez scored soon after with a streaky effort. David Silva rediscovered his mojo to score a fourth as classy City celebrated news of United losing. Arsenal endured a difficult start to the season but has really found its stride in recent weeks to outstrip north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and become favorite for third. It now has a five-point cushion over Spurs, who may have to settle for fourth place and a Champions League playoff if Newcastle United or Chelsea do not catch them. An eight-minute sending off for Wolves defender Sebastien Bassong after a professional foul on Theo Walcott allowed Premier League player of the year favorite Robin van Persie to open the scoring with a dinked penalty. Walcott struck himself soon after and Yossi Benayoun added the third in the second half to leave Wolves nine points adrift at the bottom.
