Manchester United are odds-on to defend their Premier League title after extending their lead at the top of English football over Manchester City to five points, following a 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers.
Late second-half goals from Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young at Ewood Park were enough for Sir Alex Ferguson's side to gain the extra buffer over their bitter cross-town rivals City and to send Blackburn back into the relegation zone.
Rovers are now 18th, level with Queen's Park Rangers on points but two goals behind.
Ecuador winger Valencia struck nine minutes from time to end Blackburn's resistance after prolonged United pressure when he came inside and sent a swerving effort into the far corner, although he acknowledged later that it was "50/50" a shot and a cross.
Substitute Young grabbed the second in style on 86 minutes with a near-post drive from outside the 18-yard box.
