Second-placed Manchester United sent struggling West Bromwich Albion into the drop zone with a 2-1 victory over the Baggies at the Hawthorns thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard.
After Manchester City had opened up a 14-point gap at the Premier League summit with a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, it was imperative that the Red Devils eked out a win on Sunday for even third-placed Chelsea drawn level with them on points with 1-0 win over Southampton.
And Lukaku’s second goal in as many matches got the visitors off to the perfect start, with the Belgian nodding in Marcus Rashford’s cross three minutes before the hour mark.
In-form midfielder Jesse Lingard would double United’s lead with a deflected effort eight minutes later as Jose Mourinho’s men took control of the game.
Baggies manager Alan Pardew sent on veteran midfielder Gareth Barry at half-time in a bid to get the hosts’ back in the tie and while the former City man did get a goal back, it was nothing more than a consolation strike in the end.
Taking advantage of some slack defending by United, Barry scored his first goal of the season by stroking him from close-range with 13 minutes left.
Pardew had introduced Jay Rodriguez and Chris Brunt to put pressure on the visitors but United managed to hold on for their 13th league win of the season, but it was not without cost.
For Antonio Valencia, who has been in sparkling form this season, hobbled off with what looked like a hamstring injury soon after the hour-mark.
United, second in the league table with a tally of 41 points from 17 games, now turn their attentions to a EFL Cup quarter-final with Bristol City on Thursday. Their next league game is an away trip to 2015-16 champions Leicester City and United will look to register their third win on the trot when they travel to the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
The situation is quite grim for West Brom, however, as results after firing Tony Pulis have not gone according to plan and they are in 19th place with a tally of just 14 points. They next travel to fellow strugglers Stoke City and that is a game neither side can afford to lose for the Potters have been poor of late as well and are in 17th place.