( CNN ) -- Manchester United returned to the top of English Premier League with a 5-0 crushing of crisis club Portsmouth on Saturday , while Liverpool kept their Champions League bid on track with a 1-0 victory in the derby against Everton . United went one point clear of Chelsea , who host third-placed Arsenal on Sunday , and Liverpool climbed into fourth despite having a man sent off . Sixth-placed Manchester City could have joined Liverpool on 44 points but suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Hull City , who moved out of the relegation zone . Tottenham were unable to reclaim fourth place after being held 0-0 at home by fellow European hopefuls Aston Villa in the late match . Portsmouth 's season went from bad to worse at Old Trafford to end a week that saw Hong Kong-based businessman Balram Chainrai become the club 's fourth owner in six months ahead of a winding-up hearing due to tax debts next Wednesday . England striker Wayne Rooney put United ahead in the 40th minute with his 23rd league goal this season with a header from Darren Fletcher 's cross , then Nani 's close-range effort was deflected off Anthony Vanden Borre , who was credited with an own-goal , onto goalkeeper David James and into the net just before halftime . It was 3-0 after 59 minutes as Portsmouth 's Richard Hughes deflected a shot by Michael Carrick past James , then United striker Dimitar Berbatov fired in a low effort three minutes later . The visitors then conceded a third own-goal in the 69th minute as Mark Wilson diverted Patrice Evra 's cross into his own net to leave Portsmouth six points adrift of second-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers , who play Midlands rivals Birmingham on Sunday . Liverpool played for 55 minutes with 10 men against Everton after Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Marouane Fellaini , but claimed a vital home victory thanks to Dirk Kuyt 's 50th goal for the Merseyside club . The Dutch striker headed home Steven Gerrard 's corner from close range in the 55th minute , and Everton struggled to break down their rivals ' determined defense before also being reduced to 10 men when South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar received his second booking in time added on . Manchester City welcomed back England defender Wayne Bridge for his first outing in two months following injury -- and also since tabloid revelations which on Friday saw Chelsea 's John Terry stripped of the national captaincy due to an alleged affair he had with his ex-teammate 's former partner . But it was Hull , who drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Tuesday , who took the lead in the 31st minute when Jozy Altidore scored his first league goal . The United States striker , whose relatives were affected by the Haiti earthquake , curled in a fine shot after a layoff by fellow frontman Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink , whose fellow Dutchman George Boateng made it 2-0 nine minutes after halftime with a 25-yard volley from half-cleared corner . Roberto Mancini 's City pulled one back five minutes when Emmanuel Adebayor scored from close range after a corner by Stephen Ireland , but the visitors could not equalize despite bringing on new signing Patrick Vieira for his debut . Tottenham could not find a way past Aston Villa 's veteran American goalkeeper Brad Friedel , who pulled off a string of fine saves . The hosts appealed in vain for a late penalty when midweek hat-trick hero Jermain Defoe was brought down by Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov , then his strike partner Peter Crouch missed with a back-heeled attempt from close range in time added on . Fulham consolidated 10th place with a 0-0 draw at Bolton , who were left a point above the relegation zone after having a late header by captain Kevin Davies ruled out for a push on Brede Hangeland . Stoke leapfrogged Blackburn into 11th place with a crushing 3-0 win over the visitors in manager Tony Pulis 's 300th match in charge of the club . Goals from full-back Danny Higginbotham and striker Mamady Sidibe made it 2-0 at halftime , then Blackburn defender Christopher Samba was sent off for a second yellow card before Matthew Etherington wrapped up victory on 67 minutes . The match was marred by the news that a man , reportedly a Blackburn fan , was taken to hospital in a critical condition with a head injury after being found unconscious at the start of the second half . Police are investigating the matter . Sunderland remained 13th after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Wigan , who led through Mohamed Diame before Kenywne Jones headed home on 64 to give manager Steve Bruce a point against his former club . Sunderland , however , have not won in 11 games while Wigan -- knocked out of the FA Cup by fourth division Notts County in midweek -- are just two points above the drop zone . Burnley moved out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win at home to fellow strugglers West Ham to give manager Brian Laws his first victory since taking charge and the club 's first in 13 league outings . Loan striker David Nugent opened the scoring before debutant defender Danny Fox doubled the lead , while substitute Ilan pulled one back for West Ham late on after fellow new signing Mido hit the post .
Manchester United return to top of English Premier League with 5 -0 crushing of Portsmouth . Chelsea go one point clear of Chelsea , who host third -placed Arsenal on next Wednesday . Liverpool move into fourth place after beating Everton 1-0 despite having man sent off . Tottenham left in third place after drawing 0 -0 at home to Stephen Ireland in late match .