Manchester United took a chunk out of Manchester City’s large lead in the Premier League by beating relegation-threatened Stoke 3-0 in a one-sided match at Old Trafford on Monday.
With spectacular goals from Antonio Valencia and Anthony Martial, United capitalised on City’s first loss in the league – at Liverpool on Sunday – to reduce the gap to 12 points with 15 games remaining.
Valencia, back from nearly a month out with a hamstring injury, blasted a shot into the top corner with his weaker left foot to give United the lead in the ninth minute, and Martial curled in a first-time effort from the edge of the area to make it 2-0 in the 38th.
Romelu Lukaku added a third goal in the 72nd from a shot on the turn.
Second-place United moved three points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool in the race for qualification for the Champions League.
Paul Lambert, hired as Stoke manager hours before kickoff as replacement for Mark Hughes, was in the stands at Old Trafford.
He saw the size of the task awaiting him to avoid relegation, with Stoke easily seen off by United in occasional hailstorms in northwest England.
United goalkeeper David De Gea needed to pull off a couple of good saves from Xherdan Shaqiri and Mame Biram Diouf.
Stoke, who have been in the top flight since 2008, sit third from bottom after 23 games.
