Manchester United thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday as the Premier League champions moved an ominous step closer to leaders Liverpool. Nemanja Vidic headed United in front in first-half stoppage time and Wayne Rooney doubled their advantage on the hour with a close-range volley.
Dimitar Berbatov completed the rout in the 87th minute to lift United into third place. Alex Ferguson's side are now just five points behind Liverpool and one behind a Chelsea side who were desperately lacking any spark and wilted alarmingly.
United face Wigan Athletic on Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Should they win both they will be top of the league before Liverpool face Everton next Monday.
Defeat was Chelsea's first on the road in the league this season and continued manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's poor record against the top sides since taking over at Stamford Bridge.
United began to ratchet up the pressure on the Chelsea goal just before the interval. John Terry was forced into one desperate block from a Park Ji-sung shot before Ronaldo had a headed goal disallowed after referee Howard Webb ordered a crafty United corner to be re-taken -- much to the fury of Rooney.
Chelsea failed to learn their lesson and as Giggs delivered the ball again in stoppage time, Berbatov got a slight touch and Serbian defender Vidic crept in at the far post to nod the ball past Cech.
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