Spurs end Manchester misery

Tottenham put years of Old Trafford pain behind them on Saturday evening, seeing off Manchester United 3-2.

Not since 1989 had Spurs tasted success at the home of the 19-time champions but they produced a stirring first-half performance and held off a late United fightback to secure a third straight Premier League victory.

Jan Vertonghen got the ball rolling early on and Gareth Bale doubled the advantage half an hour later. The hosts came out strongly after the break but no sooner had Nani pulled a goal back, Clint Dempsey re-established a two-goal lead. However, just a minute later Shinji Kagawa netted.

But despite a second-half onslaught, the visitors held out, landing odds of 11/2.

Early criticism of Andre Villas-Boas has subsided as his new charges have warmed to the task and they are now no bigger than 11/4 with Ladbrokes to finish in the top four.

Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson’s men have ceded title favouritism to their city rivals after the Citizens edged past Fulham on Saturday.

Once more, the Sky Blues couldn’t keep a clean sheet, with Mladen Petric putting the Cottagers in front from the spot, but Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko – three minutes from time – saw the champions through.

They can be backed at 13/8 for the crown, with United 21/10.

Leaders Chelsea are a best of 10/3 (Paddy Power) in those stakes after squeezing past Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates thanks to goals from Fernando Torres and Juan Mata.

Elsewhere, 5/6 Liverpool finally secured their first league triumph of the campaign, demolishing winless Norwich 5-2 at Carrow Road. Luis Suarez notched a hat-trick, repeating the feat he achieved in last season’s fixture, while Steven Gerrard and Nuri Sahin were also on target.

Stoke also recorded a debut success, defeating Swansea 2-0 at the Britannia while Steven Fletcher was Sunderland’s hero once more, netting the winner against Wigan. The Scot is available at 25/1 with Bet Victor to top the Premier League scoring charts.

Results: Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea, Everton 3-1 Southampton, Fulham 1-2 Man City, Man Utd 2-3 Tottenham, Norwich 2-5 Liverpool, Reading 2-2 Newcastle, Stoke 2-0 Swansea, Sunderland 1-0 Wigan, Aston Villa v West Brom (Sun), QPR v West Ham (Mon)

Steven Fletcher to finish as top goalscorer at 25/1