Manchester United swept to the top of the English premier league with a 2-1 away win over Tottenham Hotspur today.
United manager Alex Ferguson opted to include Rio Ferdinand two days after he was sentenced to an eight month ban for missing a drugs test - beginning in January - but the England defender had little to do in a game dominated by the champions, at least for the first hour.
They went ahead in 16th minute when Republic of Ireland defender John O'Shea got his toe to a low corner and made it 2-0 in the 23rd with a deflected Ruud van Nistelrooy shot following some slick midfield passing.
United remained in charge but were caught on the break when Gus Poyet poked in from close range in the 63rd minute after a clever low cross from the lively Stephane Dalmat.
Spurs then stepped up the pace with Dalmat and Frederic Kanoute applying some late pressure but United held out without too many serious scares to go into the busy holiday period in pole position. The victory took them to 40 points - one above Arsenal and Chelsea, who both have 39.
The two London clubs also have an identical goal difference and have both scored the same number of goals. Yesterday Arsenal drew 1-1 at Bolton Wanderers while Chelsea had a 1-0 away win against Fulham.