The Premier League leaders Manchester United kept their unbeaten run to 20 matches in the division this season after sending off Stoke City 2-1 on Tuesday.

With nine victories and one draw from their previous 10 home matches, Man United started their fight at the Old Trafford confidently even without key players Edwin van der Sar, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.

Mexican Javier Hernandez put the home side ahead with a brilliant flick in the 27th minute after Nani crossed from the right flank.

Stoke came back from the interval strongly and grabbed their chance soon as Dean Whitehead nodded in Tuncay Sanli's cross five minutes after the break.

But Man United didn't wait long for resuming their advantage.

Just after the hour mark, Hernandez's cross found Nani on the edge of the box and the Portugese hit home his sixth league goal this season.

Fulham sealed a 3-0 win over West Bromwich to move up five places to the 13th.

Birmingham edged Blackpool 2-1 away thanks to Scott Dann's late winner in the 89th minute.