Manchester United staged a stunning comeback in the second half to bounce back from two goals down to clinch the game 5-2 against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

With Liverpool winning their match against Hull City, United had to beat Spurs in order to retain their place at the top of the table. However the defending champions struggled to settle down in any sort of rhythm and were soon a goal down by the 29th minute as Rio Ferdinand failed to deal with Verdan Corluka's cross, allowing Darren Bent to slot home from close range.

Spurs repeated their move yet again four minutes later and the result was the same, this time Aaron Lennon turning the creator for Luka Modric at the far post and the Croatian international made no mistake from close range.

United needed a vastly improved performance in the second half if they were to get anything from the game and the breakthrough arrived somewhat fortuitously for the defending champions as referee Howard Webb awarded them a penalty in the 57th minute for a foul by keeper Gomes on Michael Carrick and Cristiano Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot.

The goal spurred up the confidence for the hosts and they were soon back on level terms with Wayne Rooney smashing home from outside the area. Rooney turned creator a minute later, curling in a superb cross for Ronaldo to head home and the Portuguese winger repaid the service two minutes later as United wrapped up the points with a fourth.

It was not over though as Dimitar Berbatov chipped in with a goal against his old club 11 minutes from the final whistle to complete an emphatic victory for United.