Manchester, England (SportsNetwork.com) - Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck notched a goal apiece at Old Trafford on Saturday to lead Manchester United to a 2-0 victory over Swansea City.
After a scoreless opening period, Valencia put the Red Devils in the driver's seat with the go-ahead goal in the 47th minute while Welbeck added an insurance goal in the 59th minute.
It was United's fourth win in its last five Premier League outings but its first win of the new year. The victory also erases a poor home loss to Swansea in FA Cup action last weekend.
United climbs to 37 points on the season to maintain seventh place in the English top flight while Swansea, without a win since Dec. 4, stays put on 21 points.
The best chance of the opening period came in the 11th minute when Adnan Januzaj struck the woodwork with a curling free kick.
It was a moot point, though, as Antonio Valencia opened the scoring in the second minute back from the halftime interval, pouncing on a failed clearance from the Swansea defense to smash home a loose ball from close range.
United put the win beyond any doubt just before the hour mark when Welbeck turned in a wayward shot from Patrice Evra for his sixth league goal in as many games.
Chelsea 2, Hull City 0
Hull, England - Chelsea moved to the top of the Premier League on Saturday thanks to a 2-0 win at Hull City.
The Blues improved to 46 points on the season as a 56th-minute strike from Eden Hazard and a late goal from Fernando Torres proved to be enough for Jose Mourinho's men to take pole position in England's top flight and doom Hull to a second consecutive defeat.
The win puts Chelsea one point clear of Arsenal, though the Gunners can reclaim first place with a win over Aston Villa on Monday.
West Ham 2, Cardiff City 0
Cardiff, Wales - West Ham United triumphantly climbed out of the relegation zone on Saturday by getting a 2-0 win at Cardiff City.
Carlton Cole opened the scoring for the Hammers in the 42nd minute, and things looked grim after James Tomkins was sent off in the 71st for a second bookable offense, but a late strike from Mark Noble sealed all three points for the visitors and granted the club its first Premier League win since Nov. 30.
West Ham improves to 18 points on the season to go level with Cardiff City, though the Hammers reside outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Tottenham 2, Crystal Palace 0
London, England - Tottenham continued its fine form under Tim Sherwood by getting a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
Palace had a tremendous chance to get in front early on, but Jason Puncheon failed to convert a penalty kick in the eighth minute of play.
Tottenham took advantage as Christian Eriksen handed the home side the lead in the 50th minute while a neat finish from Toronto-bound Jermain Defoe in the 72nd minute helped Spurs collect a third straight league win.
Everton 2, Norwich City 0
Liverpool, England - A pair of cracking goals lifted Everton to a 2-0 victory over Norwich City at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Gareth Barry got the Toffees off the mark in the 23rd minute with a sublime effort from distance, and Kevin Mirallas doubled the club's lead in the 59th with an expertly-taken free kick that found the upper corner.
It was enough to help Everton to 41 points on the season, putting the Toffees in fourth place. Norwich City has lost three of its last four in league play to stay on 20 points.
Sunderland 4, Fulham 1
London, England - Adam Johnson lifted Sunderland out of last place in the Premier League as his hat trick at Craven Cottage granted the Black Cats a 4-1 victory over Fulham and brought the club to 17 points.
Sunderland was two goals to the good by halftime thanks to Johnson and Ki Sung-Yueng.
Steve Sidwell managed to get the Cottagers back to within one with a goal in the 52nd minute, but Johnson seized control of the match by scoring in the 68th minute and again in the 84th minute with a penalty kick.
Southampton 1, West Bromwich 0
Southampton, England - Southampton ended a two-game slide on Saturday by getting a 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at St. Mary's
Adam Lallana had the lone goal of the contest, scoring in the 66th minute to move the Saints up to 30 points on the season.
West Brom's run of four games without defeat comes to an end as the club stays put on 21 points.
