LONDON: Javier Hernandez and Nani set each other up for goals as Manchester United beat Stoke 2-1 to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League Tuesday. A back-flick from Hernandez put United in front and, after Dean Whitehead headed Stoke level, the Mexico forward fed Nani for a well-placed winner. Unbeaten all season, United not only has a three-point lead but also a game in hand over Manchester City, which is at third-place Arsenal Wednesday. In Tuesday's other matches, Birmingham and Fulham climbed out of the relegation zone with victories. Birmingham won for the first time away this season came after Scott Dann's 89th minute goal secured a 2-1 victory at Blackpool, while Fulham beat West Bromwich 3-0. In the title race, United has now collected 19 points from a possible 21 in its last seven matches. The victory in United's 20th match of the league season was secured without striker Wayne Rooney, who injured his ankle at the weekend, and center back Rio Ferdinand, who was rested ahead of Sunday's FA Cup match against Liverpool. Hernandez, whose double clinched a 2-1 victory at Stoke in October, was on target again against the team after 27 minutes at Old Trafford. The offseason recruit nipped in front of former Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross at the near post and reacted quickly as Nani whipped in a low cross. Letting the ball run behind him, he quickly flicked back his right leg and turned it into a goal that Asmir Begovic thought he had covered. But Hernandez's eight goal of the season and his second in four days was canceled out five minutes into the second half when Stoke scored for the first time at United since 1980. Whitehead nipped between Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra to head home Tuncay Sanli's cross unchallenged past Tomasz Kuszczak, who was filling in for Edwin van der Sar in the United goal. United, though, was back in front in the 62nd when Hernandez found space on the edge of the penalty area to pick out Nani, who turned the ball away from Danny Collins and struck past Begovic. On the northwest coast, Alexander Hleb pounced on a mistake by Stephen Crainey to put Birmingham ahead in the 24th minute. D.J. Campbell leveled for Blackpool in the 68th by volleying in his fourth goal in four games. But Birmingham found the target again late on when Dann met Roger Johnson's header across goal and took a touch before dispatching a half-volley past goalkeeper Richard Kingson. In west London, Fulham eased the pressure on manager Mark Hughes by easily beating West Brom to secure its first home win in six attempts. Simon Davies put Fulham ahead in first-half stoppage time when his 30-yard strike went through the raised hands of goalkeeper Scott Carson. And Davies provided both of the second-half corners that allowed Dempsey and Brede Hangeland to head in goals and condemn West Brom to their fifth straight loss.
