Premier League Results: Manchester Clubs Coast to Easy Victories as Robin Van Persie Oozes Class Yet Again

Jan 01, 2013 12:17 PM EST

Manchester United and Manchester City dispatched their respective opponents on New Year's Day in the English Premier League.

Two goals apiece from Javier Hernandez and Robin Van Persie were enough for the league leaders to maintain their seven-point lead at the top of the table, coasting to a 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

Pablo Zabaleta, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero scored for the champions in a 3-0 result against Stoke, as Roberto Mancini's men rarely put a foot wrong at the fortress that is the Etihad.

At the DW Stadium, Hernandez opened the scoring for his side in the 35th minute, as always, finding himself in the right place at the right time to slot home.

Sloppy Wigan defending allowed Jonny Evans to cross for Patrice Evra inside the box.

The left-back, who has been prolific in front of goal off late, missed his first-time shot completely, but composed himself with the ball still at his feet, striking a low shot across Al Habsi, who could only parry it onto the path of Hernandez to find the target.

 The second came two minutes before the break. Hernandez played the ball into the box from the right to Van Persie, who oozed class, faking a left-footed strike, before cutting onto his right foot and calmly placing it into the back of the net.

Hernandez made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute, again finding himself perfectly placed to slot home a deflected Van Persie freekick.

The prolific Dutchman completed his brace two minutes from time, tapping home from close range off a cross from Danny Welbeck.

At the Etihad, Zabaleta scored the crucial opener just before halftime to break Stoke City's resistance. James Milner found his way into the box from the right, before forcing a save from Asmir Begovic. However, the rebound fell perfectly to Zabaleta, who made no mistake.

Dzeko ensured all three points in the 56th minute, tapping home another rebound, this time after Aguero tested Begovic with a nice effort.

The Argentine then added the gloss, slotting home from the penalty spot, after David Silva was brought down by Steven Nzonzi; although, replays showed the incident happened just outside the box.

Tottenham continued their good run, scoring a comfortable 3-1 victory over Reading, thanks to goals from Michael Dawson, Emmanuel Adebayor and Clit Dempsey, after Pavel Pogrebnyak had given the relgation-threatened side an early lead.

Results: West Brom 1-2 Fulham; Man City 3-0 Stoke; Wigan 0-4 Man United; West Ham 2-1 Norwich; Swansea 2-2 Aston Villa; Tottenham 3-1 Reading.

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