United blast back with 5-0 win

Manchester United crushed Derby County 5-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday to dispel any lingering doubts about their intention of reclaiming their premier league title at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, league leaders Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Fulham to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table. Michael Owen went close to scoring but remained on 99 goals in his Liverpool career.

Manchester United's victory moved them up from ninth to fifth place on 24 points, nine points behind Liverpool.

United, beaten in their last three premier league games and written off by many observers for a fourth successive title, raced into a 2-0 lead after only 10 minutes with goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (6) and skipper Roy Keane (10) -- his first of the season.

Solskjaer (58), Ruud Van Nistelrooy (63) and Paul Scholes (89) completed United's scoring. Scholes' goal was the 9,999th in the premier league since the English league structure was reformed in 1992.