Manchester United 1-0 Middlesbrough

A second half goal from Dimitar Berbatov helped the champions defeat a stubborn Middlesbrough side and keep in touch with the top two.

The result was United's fourth 1-0 win in a row and sees them move to within seven points of leaders Liverpool, with Sir Alex Ferguson's men still having two games in hand.

Cristiano's Ronaldo had the best openings of the first period, with the Portugal international sending a free-kick inches past the post on 15 minutes before slipping the ball past the far post eight minutes later, when he should have converted Wayne Rooney's pull back.

Boro, who are hovering just outside the relegation zone, often looked dangerous on the break but their defensive rearguard was eventually broken down with 21 minutes remaining.

Michael Carrick's cross from the left was not dealt with by David Wheater and Bulgarian Berbatov fired home a volley from eight yards out, which proved to be the winner.