(CNN) -- Manchester United stayed top of the English Premier League as two goals from Dimitar Berbatov secured a 2-0 home win for the Red Devils over Sunderland on Boxing Day.
Neighbors Manchester City won 3-1 at Newcastle to leave teams from the north-west city occupying the top two places.
United, unbeaten this season, have 37 points from 17 games, with City on 35, but having played two games more. Third and fourth-placed Arsenal (32 points) and Chelsea (31 points) play each other in a crucial match on Monday.
Below-strength Sunderland were no match for Alex Ferguson's high-flyers at Old Trafford and were behind after just five minutes.
Evergreen Ryan Giggs burst forward to find Wayne Rooney, who picked out Berbatov to score neatly.
United might have been further ahead with Rooney a constant menace, while a shot from Anderson hit the woodwork. CNN
