Manchester United thrashed Aston Villa 3-0 to move within a point of fourth-placed Leicester and extend their unbeaten run to 17 matches in all competitions.
Defeat leaves Villa four points from safety with just four games to play and without a win since January, a run of 11 matches.
After a slow start, United were awarded a controversial first-half penalty when Bruno Fernandes appeared to stand on the leg of Ezri Konsa in the box only for referee Jon Moss to point to the spot.
The Portuguese midfielder stepped up and found the corner to score his seventh goal in 10 league games since joining the club in January, and Villa simply had no answer.
Teenage sensation Mason Greenwood thundered in with his weaker right foot from outside the box before half-time to make it 18 for the season, and Paul Pogba fired home from distance after the break to make the game safe.
It could have been even worse for Villa but Anthony Martial was desperately unlucky to see an effort hit both the bar and post, Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed a virtual open goal and several other great chances went begging.
Dean Smith's side, winless since the restart, look destined for an immediate return to the Championship unless they can win at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
United by contrast have won all four games since drawing their opening post-shutdown match away at Tottenham, and are the first team in Premier League history to win four straight matches by three goals or more.
As well as closing in on Leicester, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are only two points behind third-placed Chelsea.
Related football content
Responsible gambling
We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
Sky Bet's responsible gambling tools are detailed here and if you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.
Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.
Like what you've read?Help your friends Know It All by sharing this article to your social media.
