Manchester United moved five points clear at the top of English Premier League as Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty kick gave them a 1-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday. Ronaldo scored in the 44th minute the only goal of the game, which saw United secure their record 12th successive clean sheet.

The champions' victory turned up the pressure on challengers Chelsea and Liverpool, joint second on 48 points with Aston Villa, who will meet at Anfield on Sunday.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates after scoring during their English Premier League soccer match against Everton in Manchester, northern England, Jan. 31, 2009.

Villa and Arsenal missed the chance to take closer order in the title race as both were held to goalless draws. Villa could have moved into second place but they were unable to find a way beyond Wigan's defence. Arsene Wenger's side were increasingly frustrated as their draw with West Ham left them still five points away from a top-four finish.

Ten-men Stoke City lifted themselves out of the drop zone after beating Manchester City 1-0 thanks to James Beattie's header while a late winner from Kevin Davies gifted Bolton a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Fulham increased Portsmouth's woes with a 3-1 victory at Craven Cottage, Hull and West Brom shared the points in a 2-2 tie at the KC Stadium and Middlesbrough's home meeting with Blackburn ended in a third 0-0 stalemate of a busy afternoon.

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