Premier League Results: Portsmouth thumped as United seize their chance to go top

Premier League / Joe Dyer / 06 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

David James is pictured after United score the second of a 5-0 win

"The Reds smashed bottom-placed Portsmouth, 5-0, to go one point clear of Chelsea and are now in to [2.4] to win the league. Carlo Ancelotti's Blues trade around the even money mark but much hinges on Sunday's result. Current odds make Chelsea the [1.9] favourites with Arsenal [5.0] to haul themselves right back into the title race. The draw can be backed at [3.65]. "

Champions hit five past David James as beleaguered Pompey take another step towards relegation and the Reds march towards another title

Manchester United went top of the Premier League this afternoon as the champions fully took the opportunity to put the pressure on Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of Sunday's clash between their title rivals.

The Reds smashed bottom-placed Portsmouth, 5-0, to go one point clear of Chelsea and are now in to [2.4] to win the league. Carlo Ancelotti's Blues trade around the even money mark but much hinges on Sunday's result. Current odds make Chelsea the [1.9] favourites with Arsenal [5.0] to haul themselves right back into the title race. The draw can be backed at [3.65].

A big victory was expected at Old Trafford with correct score backers getting a 'high' of [20.0] on the 5-0 win.

In the relegation betting, Portsmouth are now [1.2] to be playing Championship football next season. Pompey are six points behind 19th placed Wolves, who are [5.2] to win at Birmingham ([1.9]) on Sunday, and West Ham.

The Hammers missed a chance to build on a three game unbeaten run when they went down 2-1 at Burnley, who won their first game under Brian Laws.

Liverpool moved into fourth place following their 1-0 win in the Merseyside derby despite playing most of the game with 10 men after Sotiros Kyrgiakos was sent off in first half. The Reds are now the [2.26] favourites amongst the group chasing the final Champions League qualification spot, with Spurs and Villa at [6.0] and [5.5] respectively following their 0-0 draw in the late kick-off.

Hull eased their relegation fears with a 2-1 defeat of Manchester City, rewarding their backers at a high of [6.2]. The Tigers are now three points clear of trouble and are [2.28] to be relegated, having been backed at [1.33] to exit the league.

A spate of draws hit other teams in the wrong half of the table - Bolton were unable to get past Fulham's Mark Schwarzer while Sunderland and Wigan could only manage a goal apiece.