Relentless Man United seek to extend lead

LONDON – Manchester United will hope to profit from title rivals Manchester City’s inactivity by opening up a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a win at Fulham on Saturday.

Friday, February 01, 2013
United captain Nemanja Vidic (left) has urged his teammates to put more points on board. Net photo.

SaturdayQPR    vs      Norwich     14:45 Arsenal     vs      Stoke City     17:00    Everton     vs      Aston Villa     Newcastle    vs      Chelsea     Reading     vs      Sunderland     West Ham    vs      Swansea City     Wigan     vs      Southampton     Fulham     vs  ManU     19:30    SundayWest Brom      vs     Tottenham     15:30    Man City      vs  Liverpool     18:00 LONDON – Manchester United will hope to profit from title rivals Manchester City’s inactivity by opening up a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a win at Fulham on Saturday.Alex Ferguson’s side were made to toil at home to Southampton on Wednesday before eventually emerging with a 2-1 victory that lifted them seven points above their nearest challengers.With City not in action until a home game with Liverpool on Sunday, United can strike another psychological blow if they prevail at Craven Cottage.Despite his side’s struggle to beat Southampton, United captain Nemanja Vidic says the only thing that matters is putting points on the board."Winning games is important at this stage of the season,” he told in-house television channel MUTV."But we have to forget what has gone and focus on the next games. Nothing is finished yet. There is a long way to go, but we’re in a good position.”United and Fulham met as recently as last weekend, with Vidic and his colleagues winning 4-1 in a one-sided FA Cup fourth-round encounter at Old Trafford.Fulham secured only their second win in eight games by overcoming West Ham United 3-1 on Wednesday, moving them eight points clear of the relegation zone.With Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool all dropping points in mid-week, Everton capitalised by winning 2-1 at home to West Bromwich Albion to close to within a point of the Champions League places.As Spurs do not play until Sunday, when they visit West Brom, David Moyes’ side will move into the top four if they overcome a floundering Aston Villa team that sank into the relegation zone last weekend.Leighton Baines scored both Everton’s goals against West Brom and manager Moyes says the England left-back will have a key role to play in their push for a top-four finish.Arsenal go into their home game with Stoke City three points below Everton in sixth place, after coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home to Liverpool.Third-place Chelsea also recorded a 2-2 draw on Wednesday, although the context was quite different, as they conceded two late goals in a frustrating stalemate at relegation-threatened Reading.