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LONDON - Manchester United stormed to the top of the Premier League yesterday with a 4-1 thumping of Middlesbrough, while Chelsea dealt out a 6-0 hammering of Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City.
Carlos Tevez scored twice as United notched an eighth successive league victory and hit four goals in
four successive matches for the first time since 1907.
The champions could lose first place overnight when Arsenal, on a high after a 7-0 romp over Slavia Prague on Wednesday, travel to Liverpool, seeking a 13th consecutive victory in all competitions.
United included England midfielder Owen Hargreaves in their line-up for only the fourth time since he joined from Bayern Munich and were in front after only three minutes.
Nani took possession in the Boro half and ripped a 30m shot past Mark Schwarzer.
Old Trafford was still buzzing when Jeremie Aliadiere headed Boro level moments later, but a mistake from England midfielder Stewart Downing gifted Wayne Rooney a goal to put United back in front before halftime.
A superb move between Rooney and Tevez resulted in the Argentine putting United 3-1 up after 55 minutes, before Tevez struck again with a deflected shot.
United manager Alex Ferguson said: "When you've got players like [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez you are going to get goals. The third goal epitomised the imagination they have ... it was a wonderful goal."
United play Arsenal next week.
Fans of United's city rivals have been pinching themselves after their best start in the top flight for more than 30 years, but they were given a hiding by Chelsea - a side often rumoured to be interested in hiring Eriksson when he was England coach.
And after the rout, Eriksson apologised to the City faithful.
Lampard looked back to his best after toe and thigh injuries this season, laying on first-half goals for Michael Essien and Didier Drogba.
Drogba bagged two goals as Chelsea more than doubled their home goals tally this season in 90 scintillating minutes at Stamford Bridge.
After a poor start to the season and the traumatic parting of the ways with former coach Jose Mourinho, Chelsea are now back in the top four, with Frank Lampard pulling the strings.
"He is very important to us," manager Avram Grant said of the England midfielder, whose early-season form was indifferent.
Chelsea never won by a six-goal margin under Mourinho in the League but they went on the rampage after the break with Drogba, Joe Cole, Salomon Kalou and Andriy Shevchenko demolishing City's defence.
"We totally forgot how to defend today," said Eriksson. "I'm sorry for the fans."
United have 26 points from 11 games, with Arsenal on 25 from nine. City remain third on 22 with Chelsea on 21.
Fulham were denied their first away win of the season when Kenwyne Jones scored late for Sunderland in a 1-1 draw.
Improving Reading beat Newcastle United 2-1, while Birmingham City twice came from behind to defeat Wigan Athletic 3-2 at home.
Portsmouth's Benjani Mwaruwari had a stoppage-time penalty saved in a 0-0 draw with West Ham United.
Another overnight match is Tottenham Hotspur's first since the sacking of coach Martin Jol, hosting Blackburn Rovers.
- Reuters
