Football: Rooney bags two to keep Man United clear

A brace from Wayne Rooney in a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa kept Manchester United five points clear at the top of the Premier League, but Arsenal and Chelsea stayed in touch with the unbeaten leaders with come-from-behind victories today.

Rooney scored with virtually the first and last kicks of the first half at Old Trafford to help United to a convincing win that equalled the club's record of 29 straight league matches without defeat.

Second-place Arsenal came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at home thanks to goals by Andrey Arshavin and Laurent Koscielny.

Chelsea produced an attacking masterclass in the absence of new record signing Fernando Torres to beat Sunderland 4-2 away.