Premier League: Man United 2 Stoke 1

Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the English Premier League with a 2-1 win over Stoke City on Tuesday.

The Red Devils picked up the win without hitting top gear at Old Trafford after going ahead in the first half through Javier Hernandez’s clever back heel – his second in a week.

Stoke threatened to sneak a point when Dean Whitehead headed an early second-half equaliser, but Nani’s 62nd minute winner ensured that the pressure is on the chasing pack, who are all in action on Wednesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson made six changes from the side that beat West Brom at the weekend with Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand among those rested after a busy Christmas schedule.

Several young player s were given the chance to show their stuff, but it was veteran Ryan Giggs who looked the sharpest in the opening exchanges.

The Welshman’s run and shot was deflected to Dimitar Berbatov, who poked his shot just wide, before Giggs found himself in acres of space minutes later, but was denied by a last ditch Ryan Shawcross tackle.

United finally made the breakthrough in the 27th minute when Hernandez flicked in Nani’s driven cross from four yards.

The Mexican went close to a second shortly afterwards when he got the end of Nani’s headed cross, but his effort went over from eight yards out.

The hosts started the second half sloppily and Whitehead equalised in the 50th minute when he rose unmarked to head home Tuncay’s cross from six yards.

But the Red Devils were back in front just after the hour when Nani turned on the edge of the box and lashed in a 20-yard left-foot strike, leaving Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic with no chance.

United controlled most of the possession in the final half hour but couldn’t add to the scoreline before full-time.