Soccer: United earn emphatic win but it's another bad day for Benitez

Manchester United closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to two points with a 4-0 victory over West Ham.

A rocket from Paul Scholes just before half-time put the champions in front before Darron Gibson, Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney clinched the points.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be concerned, though, with his defensive crisis. Gary Neville limped off in the opening half and joins Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic on the treatment table.

Arsenal put their poor fortnight behind them with a 2-0 victory over Stoke. The signs were not promising when Cesc Fabregas' penalty was well saved by Potters keeper Thomas Sorensen. But Andrey Arshavin then opened the scoring from Fabregas' pass before substitute Aaron Ramsey settled matters late on. The Welshman fired a low drive past Sorensen.

But there was nothing for Rafa Benitez to smile about at Ewood Park as Liverpool dropped more points in a 0-0 draw with Blackburn. With Aston Villa beating Hull 3-0 and Tottenham set to play Everton on Sunday, the Reds have a fight on their hands now in the race for a Champions League qualifying spot.