Manchester United moved to the brink of sealing their second Premiership title in as many years after a comfortable 4-1 victory against West Ham on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring early in the 3rd minute and followed it up with a second goal in the 24th minute. Carlos Tevez scored a brilliant goal two minutes later to make it 3-0. Dean Ashton grabbed one back for West Ham before United were reduced to 10 men after a moment of madness by Nani saw him pick up a red card in the 37th minute. However the hosts held on to score a fourth in the second half through Michael Carrick to move just three points away from winning the title.

Needing to win both of their remaining matches, United were off the blocks right from the kick off and took a deserved lead in the 3rd minute when Ronaldo raced past a static West Ham defense to smash the ball past a helpless Robert Green.

The Portuguese winger scored his 40th goal of the season in the 24th minute when Owen Hargreaves long cross struck his thigh before rolling into the net. The game was all but over two minutes later when a curling drive by Tevez eluded Green into the top corner of the West Ham goal.

West Ham pulled one back in the 28th minute through a brilliant overhead kick by Ashton. United were reduced to 10 men in the 37th minute when Nani was sent off after head butting Lucas Neill. However in spite of their numerical superiority, West Ham rarely troubled United who scored a fourth goal 14 minutes into the second half through Carrick, leaving themselves just a victory away from claiming their 17th league title next week.