Swansea’s Ki Sung-yueng in action on Tuesday. (Yonhap News)
LONDON (AP) ― First-place Manchester United and second-place Manchester City began the new year with emphatic victories Tuesday in the Premier League.
United cruised to a 4-0 win at Wigan for its second straight shutout. City treated its home fans to a 3-0 decision over Stoke.
Javier Hernandez and Robin van Persie scored two goals each for United, which leads the league by seven points. Van Persie has a league-high 16 goals.
City ended Stoke’s 10-match unbeaten run behind goals from Pablo Zabaleta, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero.
Tottenham climbed to third place ahead of Chelsea by beating Reading 3-1. Struggling Aston Villa gave up a goal during stoppage to draw 2-2 at Swansea.
Fulham and West Ham also won.