A Ruud van Nistelrooy [ Images ] hat-trick has fired Manchester United [ Images ] to a 3-0 victory over Fulham [ Images ] and top spot in the premier league for the first time in a year.

The convincing win at Old Trafford gave United 64 points while champions Arsenal [ Images ], who play Everton at Highbury on Sunday after two consecutive defeats, have 63.

Newcastle United kept their title challenge on track by romping to a 5-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at St James Park to stay third but move on to 61 points.

Chelsea [ Images ] consolidated fourth place, which means a place in the Champions League [ Images ] qualifiers, with a 5-0 demolition of Manchester City [ Images ] at Stamford Bridge [ Images ], where the visitors' Chinese defender Sun Jihai was red-carded in the last minute.

Southampton drew 2-2 with Aston Villa [ Images ], Charlton Athletic finished 1-1 at Middlesbrough while Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion [ Images ], respectively bottom and second-from-bottom, were both beaten and now look destined for the first division.

Sunderland lost 2-0 to a West Ham United side who moved out of the bottom three for the first time since early November, while Birmingham City [ Images ] eased their own relegation fears with 1-0 win over West Brom in the Midlands derby.