Manchester United give Ferguson perfect anniversary gift (Roundup)

By Ben James Nov 4, 2006, 23:31 GMT

London - Manchester United gave Sir Alex Ferguson the perfect anniversary president on Saturday as they moved three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the English Premiership with a convincing 3-0 win over Portsmouth.

Louis Saha, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nemanja Vidic scored United's goals to move them on to 28 points, three better than Chelsea, who play at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Ferguson celebrates his 20th anniversary as United manager on Monday and the Scot said he was delighted with the first three months of the season.

'We have had a fantastic start,' he said. 'Historically, we don't always have good starts. We have made one this year and we need to take advantage of it.

'I have to be honest and say there is a confidence about the place that suggests we are now in a position to pull out all the stops and go for it.'

Saha put United ahead on four minutes with a penalty after Dejan Stefanovic had tripped Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo then rifled in a free kick to make it 2-0 after just 10 minutes.

And defender Vidic completed the scoring with the third on 66 minutes, heading past David James, who prevented a heavier defeat with a good display.

Third-placed Bolton Wanderers suffered a shock defeat when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Wigan Athletic, while Dirk Kuyt scored twice as Liverpool beat Reading 2-0.

Fulham edged out Everton 1-0 at Craven Cottage, while Charlton heaped more pressure on Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce after a 1-0 win over his side at The Valley.

The win temporarily lifted Charlton off the bottom but Sheffield United's 1-0 victory at Newcastle United in the late game means West Ham, Newcastle and Charlton are all tied on eight points at the foot of the table.

Watford earned their first Premiership win of the season as they beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in the day's other match.

Champions Chelsea can go back alongside Manchester United at the top of the table if they win at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, while West Ham face Arsenal and Aston Villa take on Blackburn Rovers.