Premier League Results: Top two march on in goal-filled day

Roberto Mancini had reason to smile after his side's 4-3 win at Norwich

There were wins for both the Manchester clubs in the Premier League this afternoon, whilst Tottenham also won to move third in the table. Mike Norman details the In-Play odds...

Manchester United maintained their seven point lead at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a 2-0 victory over West Brom at a wet Old Trafford this afternoon.

Both managers made plenty of changes prior to kick-off, Sir Alex Ferguson electing to rotate his squad whilst Steve Clarke was forced into a reshuffle because of a number of injuries. But after an own goal from Baggies defender Gareth McAuley in the first half, it was left to substitute Robin van Persie to seal the points for the Red Devils late in the game.

United were matched at just 1.42/5 to win the game, whilst the 2-0 Correct Score was matched at 9.417/2 In-Play.

Neighbours Manchester City returned to winning ways with an entertaining 4-3 victory at Carrow Road. Edin Dzeko was given a rare start and scored two within four minutes to put his side seemingly in control. But a Samir Nasri red card late in the first half meant it was never going to be a comfortable afternoon for Roberto Mancini's men.

Both sides traded goals in the second half but Norwich couldn't find the equaliser and Man City eventually got over the line. A Sending Off was matched at 8.88/1, whilst the Over 6.5 Goals option was backed at 36.035/1.

Earlier in the day Tottenham kept up their recent good form with a 1-2 victory at Sunderland. John O'Shea - matched at a colossal 100.099/1 to score first - put the home side in front but a second half own goal and a fabulous Aaron Lennon solo effort sealed the points for Andre Villas-Boas' men.

Spurs were matched at 5.85/1 to win the game when they trailed, whilst the 1-2 Correct Score was matched at 14.013/1 and O'Shea was also backed at 44.043/1 to score at anytime.

In an absolutely crazy game at the Emirates Stadium Arsenal ran out 7-3 winners over a bewildered Newcastle side already hurting from their last gasp 4-3 loss to Manchester United on Boxing Day.

Theo Walcott was the hero with a hat-trick, though the game was much closer than the final score suggests with Newcastle conceding three late goals as they attempted to fight back from 4-3 down. Arsenal were matched at a high of 2.486/4 to win the game with Walcott's hat-trick being matched at 29.028/1, though the real winners were those who backed Over 8.5 Goals at 230.0229/1.

Paul Lambert's woes continue as Aston Villa were hammered 0-3 at home to Wigan. That's 15 goals conceded in three games over the Christmas period for the midlands club and no points collected. The highlights from this encounter were the 70.069/1 that Ivan Ramis was matched at to score first and the 0-3 score at 60.059/1.

Elsewhere there were wins for Swansea (matched at 4.03/1 for the win) and Reading (3.052/1) over Fulham and West Ham respectively, and a goal-filled game at the Britannia Stadium as Stoke and Southampton played out a 3-3 draw. That scoreline being matched at a massive 150.0149/1.

Manchester United remain the strong favourites at 1.444/9 to win the Premier League title with City at 4.77/2, but in the Relegation market Aston Villa are now as short as 2.47/5 having been matched at around the 7.06/1 mark when the beat Liverpool a few weeks ago.