PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS: United down dreadful Pompey

 AN inspired Wayne Rooney and some suicidal defending sent Manchester United to the top of the table with a thumping victory over basement boys Portsmouth.

ON A ROLL: Wayne Rooney finds the net again as Portsmouth are thumped at Old Trafford (Getty Images)

Rooney grabbed his 23rd goal of the season, scoring in the fifth match in a row to put Sir Alex Ferguson's men on their way before a calamitous half of Pompey defending ensured a 5-0 win at Old Trafford.

On 40 minutes, Rooney nodded United ahead - Avram Grant's men's resistance finally came to an end after numerous chances went begging for the hosts with Dimitar Berbatov the guilty culprit.

Just before the half-time whistle the Red Devils doubled their advantage when Anthony Vanden Borre put through his own net to kill off Pompey.

The second half was one-way traffic and it did not take long for United to extend their lead. Michael Carrick's thumping shot took a huge deflection off Richard Hughes on the hour mark, leaving David James with no chance.

It was four just three minutes later when Berbatov finally got his name on the scoresheet, lashing home from just outside the penalty area.

United then rubbed salt into the wounds of crisis club Portsmouth as Marc Wilson put through his own net to send the defending champions top of the league for at least 24 hours, with Chelsea and Arsenal to face each other on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Hull completed a shock 2-1 victory over big-spending Manchester City, inflicting a fourth league defeat on the Blues at the KC Stadium.

The USA's Jozy Altidore finally broke his Tigers duck to hand Phil Brown's side the lead with his first goal in 18 appearances while George Boateng doubled his side's lead.

Togo forward Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed a goal back for fourth-place chasing City but the Tigers held firm to complete a surprise victory.

Meanwhile, Burnley dragged themselves out of the relegation zone with a first victory under Brian Laws, courtesy of a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers West Ham.

David Nugent handed the Clarets the lead before Daniel Fox gave the hosts some breathing space and while the Brazilian forward ensured a nervous finish with a debut strike for the Hammers, Burnley held on.

Goals from Danny Higginbotham, Mamady Sidibe and Matthew Etherington handed Stoke an impressive 3-0 win over Blackburn while Kenwyne Jones cancelled out Mohamed Diame's opener as Wigan and Sunderland drew 1-1.

And Fulham and Bolton drew blanks in a drab 0-0 at the Reebok Stadium, as did Tottenham and Aston Villa in the late kick-off as neither side could steal a march in the race for fourth spot.