Manchester United opened up a seven-point lead in the Premier League thanks to a stunning comeback at West Ham and Arsenal’s goalless draw at home to Blackburn.
United were 2-0 down at half-time through Mark Noble’s penalties but stormed back after the break thanks to Wayne Rooney’s hat-trick and Javier Hernandez adding a fourth.
Rooney’s display was marred by him swearing into a TV camera – the game was broadcast live – after his third goal but he later apologised via a statement.
Manchester City moved above Chelsea into third courtesy of a 5-0 demolition of Sunderland and the Blues being held 1-1 at Stoke.
Tottenham lost ground on the top four as bottom side Wigan kept them to a goalless draw. West Ham slipped back into the bottom three due to Birmingham’s 2-1 win at home to Bolton. Wolves, who lost 4-1 at Newcastle, are now 19th.
Blackpool are immediately above the drop zone following a 3-0 defeat at Fulham, a place below troubled Aston Villa who were held to a 2-2 draw at Everton. Elsewhere West Brom boss Roy Hodgson enjoyed a 2-1 victory over former side Liverpool.
India won the Cricket World Cup in Mumbai with an exciting six-wicket win over fellow co-hosts Sri Lanka.
Mahela Jayawardene’s unbeaten century set India 275 to win but they soon lost openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar to Lasith Malinga.
Gautam Gambhir began a recovery with 97 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni played a captain’s innings, hitting the winning six with 10 balls to spare to finish 91 not out and spark wild celebrations.
The English cricket season begins on Friday with a round of County Championship matches.
Leicester stayed top of Rugby Union’s Premiership with a 17-13 win at Harlequins and Saracens remained second after seeing off Bath 20-9. Gloucester are still third thanks to a 34-9 defeat of Newcastle and Northampton fourth with a 53-24 thumping of Sale. London Irish are fifth with a 25-12 victory over Wasps. Bottom side Leeds gained a crucial 27-22 win over Exeter.
In Rugby League’s Super League Catalan Dragons pulled off a shock by winning 22-20 at leaders Warrington. Huddersfield and Castleford are now level with the Giants thanks to wins over Wakefield and Hull FC respectively. St Helens are fourth after victory over Hull KR and defending champions Wigan fifth following a draw at sixth-placed Leeds. Elsewhere Bradford beat Harlequins and Crusaders saw off Salford.
