Manchester United moved back to within a point of EPL leaders Chelsea, having played a game more, with this Wayne Rooney-inspired victory over an ambitious West Ham side.

Two headed goals from the in-form front-runner saw off the considerable challenge of the Hammers in the first hour, with substitute Michael Owen adding a late third.

The Hammers even had the better of the early chances. Valon Behrami was inches wide with a right-foot shot across the face of goal on 19 minutes.

And moments later, a back-pedalling United keeper Ben Foster, one of five changes from United’s weekend loss at Everton, pawed away a deflected Alessandro Diamanti effort.

But Hammers keeper Robert Green made fine saves from Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Gibson before Rooney headed United in front from a superb volleyed cross by Antonio Valencia on 38 minutes.

Valencia was the provider again on 55 minutes, with a floated far-post cross, Berbatov the instigator of both moves.

And Wayne Rooney was denied a hat-trick four minutes later by a Julien Faubert clearance off the line after he’d outmuscled Green near the corner flag and shot from a very tight angle.

Michael Owen side-footed the third from a sliderule Paul Scholes pass.