Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United recovered from an early setback to beat Aston Villa 4-1 at Old Trafford.
The England striker scored his 14th and 15th league goals of the season to give David Moyes' men an invaluable three points - and ensure his side did not suffer a seventh home league defeat of the season, more than in any of the previous three seasons combined.
The afternoon did however get off to the worst possible start for Rooney's side as Ashley Westwood put the visitors ahead with a beautifully struck curling free-kick on 13 minutes.
Rooney gives United the lead from the spot
On a resplendent spring afternoon in the north-west, the sun beating down on Old Trafford appeared to the only brightness in an otherwise flat opening period for the hosts.
With little in the way of attacking threat offered by United in the early exchanges, Gabriel Agbonlahor broke free and was hauled down by Rafael on the edge of the United box.
Westwood stepped up and beat David De Gea high to his to give the visitors the lead.
Although it was not to last long as seven minutes later United - who started with three England internationals in their eleven - were level.
Shinji Kagawa cut inside from the wide on the left and floated an inch-perfect cross into Rooney's path - and the England man glanced his header low to Brad Guzan's left.
On the stroke of half-time Rooney doubled United's tally with a confidently struck penalty after Juan Mata was brought down in the box by Leandro Bacuna.
After Juan Mata added a third on 57 minutes United were able to see out the remaining half-an-hour in relative comfort.
Jay Rodriguez got a brace for Southampton, with Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana also getting their names on the scoresheet
There would, however, be no hat-trick for the 28-year-old.
With Bayern Munich's visit on Tuesday in mind, he was taken off with 15 minutes remaining and replaced by Javier Hernandez - who made it 4-1 in added time after neat wing work on the left from Adnan Januzaj.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Premier League on Saturday Southampton's England trio of Jay Rodriguez, Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana all scored in the Saints' 4-0 victory over Newcastle at St Mary's.
A John Terry own-goal gave Crystal Palace a 1-0 victory against Chelsea at Selhurst Park, while Stoke City overcame Hull City 1-0.
Swansea City beat Norwich City 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium, while West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City played out a gripping 3-3 at the Hawthorns.
