MANCHESTER UNITED 7 WEST HAM UNITED 1

MANCHESTER UNITED showed true quality as they crushed West Ham 7-1 at Old Trafford, goals from Paul Scholes, who hit a hat-trick, David Beckham, Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, sent Sir Alex Ferguson`s side ten points clear at the top of the table.

The Hammers actually took a shock lead after just 11 minutes when on-loan star Frederic Kanoute headed down to Paulo Wanchope who scrambled the ball past Mark Bosnich.

United were stunned into action by this and hit back just 13 minutes later through Paul Scholes, the England international struck the ball from 20 yards which deflected off Frank Lampard past the unfortunate Craig Forrest in the West Ham goal.

Then just two minutes later the match turned on a very controversial decision from referee Mike Riley. United skipper Roy Keane surged into the area and appeared to go down after Steve Potts had not touched him but jumped over him instead, Mr Riley thought otherwise and pointed to the spot amid mass protests form West Ham.

Denis Irwin stepped up and missed but collected the rebound to easily slot home and give United the lead.

Scholes then added his second just after the break with an exquisite back heel after Beckham delivered the ball into the area.

Ferguson then replaced Keane with Nicky Butt, who immediately created the fourth, Beckham sent Butt through on goal, only for him to be tripped by John Moncur. Scholes was given the chance to grab his hat-trick and he converted the spot-kick with ease.

The game was over, but still The Red Devils pushed forward and no United classic performance would be complete without a Beckham free-kick.

Referee Riley once again gave a dubious decision when awarding the home side a free kick 30 yards out, and the England star duly converted the chance with a beautiful curling, dipping shot.

Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were then introduced in place of Scholes and Cole, and within minutes they had made the score seven. Sheringham found Solskjaer on the edge of the area and he smashed the ball past the beleaguered Forrest, who suddenly had memories of the 9-0 scoreline he had been on the end of whilst with Ipswich at Old Trafford.

United are now 10 points clear at the top, and Fergie`s fledglings can now concentrate on the Champions League knowing that the Premiership is all but signed, sealed and delivered to Old Trafford.

After the game Ferguson said: "There were some marvellous goals and I was pleased with the overall performance.

"I thought we looked a very good team and now we just have to keep enjoying it."