Manchester United celebrated the 25th anniversary of Sir Alex Ferguson's appointment with a 1-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Sunderland's United old boy Wes Brown gifted victory to his former manager, heading in an own goal on 45 minutes to settle a lacklustre encounter at a packed Old Trafford.
Ferguson, who was appointed on November 6, 1986, had earlier been given a guard of honour by both teams as he walked out onto the pitch before club officials revealed the north stand had been renamed in his honour.
But the celebratory mood fell flat after kick-off as United struggled to break down Sunderland, managed by former United captain Steve Bruce.
Ferguson later said he believed his players had been affected by the emotion of the occasion.
"These emotional occasions -- and it was emotional for me today -- sometimes get through to them," Ferguson told Sky Sports television.
Ferguson said United -- who have now registered four consecutive clean sheets since their 6-1 derby thrashing by City last month -- were now preparing for a decisive part of the season after next week's international break.
"This is a pivotal moment for us because we now have three and a half months with no interruptions -- we can really kick on and have a go now," he said.
The win saw United close to within two points of City at the top of the league. City can restore their five-point advantage with victory over QPR at Loftus Road in Saturday's late kick-off.
Elsewhere Saturday, Newcastle maintained their superb unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 victory over Everton at St James Park.
The Magpies -- who remain unbeaten after 11 games -- sealed their third consecutive league victory courtesy of a John Heitinga own goal and a spectacular Ryan Taylor volley.
Everton pulled one back through Jack Rodwell on the stroke of half-time but the Toffees were unable to salvage a positive result after the break.
Chelsea ended their mini-slump with a first victory in three league games against Blackburn, Frank Lampard scoring the game's only goal to relieve the pressure on manager Andre Villas Boas as the Blues won 1-0.
Lampard struck on 51 minutes, stooping to head home a neat cross from Branislav Ivanovic as Chelsea remained in fourth spot, six points off the lead.
Arsenal's recent revival continued to gather pace as the Londoners swatted aside West Bromwich Albion 3-0 at the Emirates.
Robin van Persie -- scorer of a brilliant hat-trick against Chelsea last week -- put Arsenal ahead on 22 minutes, drilling in from close-range after good work from Theo Walcott and Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners made it 2-0 six minutes from half-time, Thomas Vermaelen scoring his first goal in almost two years after lashing home a van Persie cut-back.
Arsenal then turned on the style in the second-half, with Arteta completing a superb passing move to make it 3-0.
The win saw Arsene Wenger's team move up one place to sixth, leapfrogging Liverpool who were held to a 0-0 draw by newly promoted Swansea at Anfield.
A thrilling mid-table battle at Villa Park saw Aston Villa overcome Norwich 3-2, England striker Darren Bent scoring twice to help sink the Canaries.
Norwich stunned Villa on 25 minutes, Anthony Pilkington curling in a sublime free-kick from 22 yards. But Villa hit back moments later, Bent stabbing home Gabriel Agbonlahor's low cross for the equaliser.
Villa took the lead on 48 minutes after a dreadful blunder by Leon Barnett, the Norwich defender's backpass letting in Agbonlahor, who bundled home.
Bent extended Villa's lead on 62 minutes before Steve Morison pulled one back on 77 minutes to ensure a tense finale.
Source: AFP
