Manchester United overcame a lackluster first half to beat Blackburn 4-1 and Chelsea managed a later winner in a 1-0 defeat of Watford on Saturday, while table bottom-end teams Charlton, West Ham and Manchester City struck crucial wins at the Premiership.

Alex Ferguson's side were far from their best in the first half at Old Trafford, but were devastating in the final 45 minutes to run out comfortable winners.

Blackburn were impressive early on and had a deserved half-time lead thanks to Matt Derbyshire's close-range strike.

Edwin van der Sar was forced to keep out Michael Carrick's sliced clearance, although the rebound fell kindly for Derbyshire to smash home from under the bar.

United were not about to be rolled over and leveled matters just after the hour mark thanks to Paul Scholes' superb run and finish.

The home side moved in front shortly after when Carrick slotted home through a crowd for a deserved lead.

There was no letting up from Ferguson's side with Park Ji-sung lashing home after Brad Friedel failed to hold Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick.

The Red Devils added insult to injury when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer netted late on to complete what proved an unlikely rout earlier in the contest.

Chelsea kept up the chase of United, but they needed an injury-time goal from Salomon Kalou to see off Watford 1-0.

Charlton Athletic are now within a point of Sheffield United as they beat Wigan late on while The Blades lost at Bolton.

Darren Bent's controversial penalty sunk The Latics while KevinDavies' fine strike was enough to give Sam Allardyce's side all three points.

West Ham's survival hopes were strengthened as they collected another three-point haul, this time at Middlesbrough's expense.

The Hammers were ahead early on against Boro after Carlos Tevezcrossed for Bobby Zamora to slot home following Fabio Rochemback's lapse in midfield.

Despite having the better of the chances it took the home side until just before half time before they doubled their advantage through in-form Tevez.

Manchester City have also returned to form and they beat Newcastle United late on thanks to Emile Mpenza's fine strike.

Michael Johnson played a delightful through-ball for the recent signing who fired home to light up what proved an otherwise forgettable encounter.

Fulham rescued a late point at home to Portsmouth thanks to Ian Pearce's late strike.

Niko Kranjcar's early goal looked like giving Pompey the points before Pearce's deflected strike from the edge of the box snatched a last-gasp point.

Earlier in the day Liverpool produced a top drawer display to thump Arsenal 4-1 at Anfield.

Peter Crouch was the undoubted hero for The Reds after netting his first Premiership hat-trick in the impressive success.

Editor: Donald