No last-gasp winner for Fergie's men against their city rivals this time. The much-anticipated Manchester derby proved a thoroughly disappointing affair as United and City produced a tame goalless draw.

United old boy Carlos Tevez had City's best chance but his long range free-kick was well saved by Edwin van der Sar, while at the other end, Dimitar Berbatov volleyed acrobatically but staight at City keeper Joe Hart.

At Stamford Bridge, Michael Essien headed what proved the decisive goal in the first half against West London neighbours Fulham but was later sent off for a two-footed tackle on Clint Dempsey.

The win enabled Chelsea to extend their lead at the top of the league.

At Wigan, Fernando Torres put Liverpool ahead after accepting a defence-splitting Steven Gerrard through ball but the home side secured a share of the points through a Hugo Rodallega effort.

Aston Villa notched their first home win since August by beating a below-strength Blackpool 3-2, the winner coming from James Collins.

Blackburn maintained its impressive record at St James' Park, notching a fifth successive win there as substiute Jason Roberts pounced on a long ball and eluded weak challenges from Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson to slot past Tim Krul and seal a 3-2 win over Newcastle.

Jermaine Beckford snatched a late equaliser to stretch 10-man Everton's unbeaten league run to seven games after a 79th-minute strike from Ivan Klasnic looked to have sealed all three points for Bolton.

West Ham drew 2-2 at home to West Brom while Marouane Chamakh scored in the first minute and the last to give Arsenal a 2-0 home win over Wolves.

- with BBC