Rooney lifts United 7 points clear in EPL

LONDON (AP) -Wayne Rooney sent Manchester United seven points clear in the English Premier League with a brace in a 2-1 win over Southampton, while third-place Chelsea surrendered a two-goal lead late to draw 2-2 with Reading and pile the pressure on manager Rafa Benitez.

Arsenal and Liverpool missed a chance to close the gap on the top four by drawing 2-2 and Tottenham also stuttered, only drawing 1-1 at Norwich courtesy of a wonder goal by Gareth Bale. Fifth-place Everton beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1.

United capitalized on second-place Manchester City's 0-0 draw at lowly Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday, recovering from conceding early as Rooney scored twice before halftime.

Adam Le Fondre equalizer deep into stoppage time for Reading virtually ended third-place Chelsea's slim title hopes.