MANCHESTER: Carlos Tevez helped Manchester United take a giant stride towards the Premier League title as Sir Alex Ferguson's side coasted to victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford today.

Tevez, whose future at United is in doubt, scored in the 2-0 victory which sent Ferguson's side three points clear at the top of the table with three games remaining. Cristiano Ronaldo had given the hosts an early lead before Argentina striker Tevez doubled the lead on the stroke of half time.

Tevez joined United in the 2007 close season on a two-year loan deal which ends this summer. He has expressed his frustration at failing to cement a regular starting place in the side and was quoted in a national newspaper as saying he thinks he will leave because "I have not been treated as a member of the family".

Tevez celebrated his goal by running over the main stand, close to where the United manager was sat, and cupping his ears while the crowd chanted "Fergie, Fergie sign him up".

The result leaves the Champions League finalists requiring just four points from their remaining three matches to be crowned champions of England for a record-equalling 18th time.

On Saturday, Steven Gerrard had fired Liverpool back to the top of the League with a 3-0 win over West Ham. Two first-half goals from Gerrard and a late strike by substitute Ryan Babel had given Rafael Benitez's side a comfortable win and lifted them temporarily above United on the strength of their superior goal difference.

At the other end of the table, West Brom gave their supporters reason to believe another great escape from relegation could be possible after a 3-1 win over Wigan. The victory, combined with Hull's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Stoke, lifted West Brom to within three points of safety with two matches left to play.

Blackburn are virtually — if not quite mathematically — safe after moving to 40 points with a 2-0 win over Portsmouth. Likewise, Sunderland pulled five points clear of the drop zone after a goalless draw at Bolton. Meanwhile, Fulham inflicted further pain on Aston Villa, who have now won just once in 11 matches after a 3-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

Spanish La Liga MADRID: Barcelona can win the Spanish championship for the 19th time with a win against Villarreal after double champions Real Madrid waved the white flag in the title race with a 3-0 loss at Valencia on Saturday.

Real trail Barcelona by seven points and Pep Guardiola's side will be crowned champions with three games to spare if they beat Villarreal in their next match. Real were outclassed as two goals in three minutes laid the foundations for a comfortable Valencia win. Juan Mata scored in the 29th before David Silva netted a second in the 32nd minute. Ruben Baraja added the third in the second half.

Valencia move four points behind Sevilla, 3-1 winners over Real Mallorca, and more importantly, open a four-point gap over Champions League rivals Atletico Madrid and Villarreal. Sevilla still hold a four-point gap over Valencia after a 3-1 comeback win over Mallorca. Also, Athletic Bilbao warmed up for Wednesday's King's Cup final against Barcelona with a 1-0 win over troubled Real Betis.