( CNN ) -- Robin van Persie scored after just 33 seconds as Manchester United maintained their slim advantage at the top of the English Premier League Wednesday with a 1-0 win over West Ham . The Old Trafford faithful had barely settled in their seats when the Dutch striker picked up a pass from Michael Carrick and saw his shot deflect off James Collins to loop over visiting goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen . It was the quickest goal of the EPL season and left United a point clear of neighbors and defending champions Manchester City , who won 2-0 at Wigan . United have fallen behind in many games this season before recovering and manager Alex Ferguson was delighted by their defensive display . `` If we can keep clean sheets more often than not it will a good foundation to challenge for the title , '' he told Sky Sports . Recalled Mario Balotelli gave City a second half lead at Wigan before James Milner sealed the three points with a thumping strike from outside the penalty area . Balotelli 's performance earned scant praise from his manager Roberto Mancini . `` I think Mario can do better . He scored one important goal but can continue to improve . For me , he did not play very well , '' he told Sky Sports . Rafael Benitez is still searching for his first win and first goal since taking charge of Chelsea as interim manager following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo . His side were held 0-0 at home by West London rivals Fulham , off the back of the same result against Manchester City Sunday . It left Chelsea seven points adrift of leaders Manchester United in third place in the standings and Benitez was again subjected to barracking by home supporters unhappy at his appointment . West Bromwich Albion slipped back to fourth with a first defeat in five games , beaten 3-1 at Welsh side Swansea . Spanish midfielder Michu scored his eighth EPL goal of the season to put Swansea ahead and they were two up inside 10 minutes when Wayne Routledge netted . Routledge added his second and the home side 's third just before the interval , but there was still time for West Brom to pull one back when on-loan Romelu Lukaku scored in injury time at the end of the half . Tottenham Hotspur took closer order in fifth with a 2-1 home win over Liverpool at White Hart Lane . Aaron Lennon was set up by Gareth Bale for an early opener for Spurs . Bale then put the home side two clear after just 16 minutes when he crashed home a deflected free kick . In the second half , the pair were involved in a bizarre incident as Lennon smashed a clearance into Bale 's face and it found its way into the Tottenham goal , but Liverpool could not force an equalizer . Everton and Arsenal are just behind them in sixth and seventh after they shared a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park . Theo Walcott put the Gunners ahead in the first minute , but Belgian international Marouane Fellaini curled home a leveler midway through the first half . Newcastle 's miserable recent run continued with a 2-1 defeat at Stoke while Southampton remained in the drop zone after a 1-1 draw at home to Norwich . It was referee Mark Clattenburg 's first match in charge since being cleared of racially abusing Chelsea 's John Obi Mikel .
Mario Balotelli scores after just 16 minutes for Manchester United . 1 -0 win over West Ham keeps them a point clear at top of Chelsea . Mario Balotelli scores as Manchester City beat Wigan 2-0 to stay sixth . Chelsea held to second goalless draw under Mario Balotelli .