Sir Alex Ferguson's side had been frustrated by an impressive Everton performance for 84 minutes with goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar also called upon to keep his side in it.

However, six minutes from time Hernandez rose at the far post to nod home Antonio Valencia's cross and secure three points, with second-placed Chelsea playing West Ham in the day's late game and Arsenal, who are third, facing Bolton tomorrow.

Roman Pavlyuchenko's efficient strike saw Champions League-chasing Tottenham level at 1-1 with West Brom at half-time.

Peter Odemwingie gave West Brom a shock fifth-minute lead with a typically composed strike but it was level when some slack defending allowed Pavlyuchenko to steady himself and rifle a low shot home.

Liverpool were coasting towards victory against Birmingham, 2-0 up at Anfield.

In the seventh minute they went in front when Jay Spearing struck a shot powerfully but straight at Ben Foster. However, the England international spilled the ball and Maxi Rodriguez was on him in a flash to poke the loose ball home.

Foster saved twice from Luis Suarez and Dirk Kuyt before the latter got to his feet and was finally able to make it 2-0. Foster was withdrawn before the break with an injury.

Blackpool and Newcastle were also drawing 1-1 at Bloomfield Road.

Newcastle led after a clinical finish by Peter Lovenkrands. The forward found himself in range after being fed by Joey Barton - following Charlie Adam's unnecessary loss of possession - and fired low into the far right corner.

Blackpool equalised through DJ Campbell in the 32nd minute when he glanced home despite Jose Enrique's attempted clearance on the line.

Aston Villa and Stoke were level pegging at 1-1 too - with two former Sunderland strikers on target with their heads.

Stoke produced a trademark goal to lead 1-0 as Rory Delap launched the ball in from a throw-in and Kenwyne Jones shrugged off his marker to glance home.

Villa's equaliser was classy, as Kyle Walker bent a lovely cross from deep on the right which Bent steered expertly with his head in off the post.

Sunderland went into half-time against relegation rivals Wigan goalless at the Stadium of Light, where six minutes of injury-time followed an injury to Phil Bardsley which saw the defender carried off.

In the other top-flight match, Steven Fletcher's header saw Wolves leading 1-0 at home to Fulham at Molineux.