Tevez fires Man United back on top

Manchester United are back on top of the Premier League after Carlos Tevez bagged a brace in their 4-1 win over Middlesbrough.

Nani's third-minute opener for Sir Alex Ferguson's men was cancelled out by Jeremie Aliadiere's first goal since joining Boro and his first in the top flight since August 2002.

But the Red Devils regained their lead through Rooney's eighth goal in seven matches for both club and country before Carlos Tevez put the result beyond any doubt with two second-half goals as United managed four goals for the fourth game in a row.

Chelsea will have sent a message to their prospective title challengers as they romped to a 6-0 win over Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba scored twice while Michael Essien, Joe Cole, Saloman Kalou and Andriy Shevchenko ensured the Blues' biggest win under Jose Mourinho's successor Avram Grant and that they extended their winning run to five matches.

Reading, meanwhile, consigned Newcastle United to a 2-1 defeat at the Madejski Stadium - Shane Long's 84th-minute strike settled the game after a Michael Duberry own goal cancelled out Dave Kitson's opener for Steve Coppell's Royals.

And Olivier Kapo's second goal of the game handed Birmingham City a 3-2 win over Wigan Athletic at St Andrews while Kenwyne Jones's fourth goal for Sunderland earned Roy Keane's Black Cats a 1-1 draw at home to Fulham.

Elsewhere, Portsmouth drew 0-0 with West Ham at Fratton Park.

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