Manchester City took over at the top of the Premier League on Saturday when, with Arsenal not playing, they took advantage with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over stubborn strugglers Crystal Palace.
A solitary 66th minute strike from Bosnian Edin Dzeko earned City all three points to extend their home record to 10 wins out of 10, but their ascent to the summit was achieved with none of their familiar free-scoring swagger.
That was left, instead, to mid-table Hull City who hammered relegation-threatened Fulham 6-0 while champions Manchester United continued their steady improvement with a 1-0 win at Norwich City, courtesy of England striker Danny Welbeck's fourth goal in four games.
Aston Villa struggled again in a 1-1 draw at home to fellow mid-tablers Swansea City after West Ham United had earlier been held 3-3 by drop zone rivals West Bromwich Albion in a thriller at Upton Park.
Manchester United's win lifted them to sixth behind City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton.
On Sunday, Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge, Everton host Southampton and the Gunners go to Newcastle United. – Reuters