Manchester United returned to winning ways by consolidating their grip on second with a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium
Chris Smalling continued his rich vein of form in front of goal on his 150th Premier League appearance, finding the net for the third consecutive away game with the opener on 28 minutes
Substitute Romelu Lukaku then wrapped up the points on 70 minutes as Jose Mourinho's side warmed up for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Tottenham by moving four points clear of third-place Liverpool
David de Gea strengthened his claim for the Golden Glove with a 17th league clean sheet - a career-high 21 in all competitions
However, things could have been different for Eddie Howe's side - who remain 11th in the table - had Luke Shaw's goal-preventing challenge on Callum Wilson yielded punishment from referee Graham Scott
With Sunday's title-deciding defeat to West Brom clearly on United minds, Bournemouth started brightly and created the first opening inside 11 minutes, Jordon Ibe dragging a shot wide from the edge of the area
It took the visitors 27 minutes to register an effort on target, Marcus Rashford drawing a decent save from Asmir Begovic after robustly dispossessing Nathan Ake on the right-hand touchline
But Begovic's resolve was broken a minute later when Ander Herrera's divine pass released Jesse Lingard in behind the Bournemouth defence, and he squared for Smalling to tap home
United went on to dominate the rest of the first period but had De Gea to thank for preserving their lead as Josh King's rasping shot was parried clear before half-time
Bournemouth pushed for an equaliser early in the second period and felt they should have had a penalty on 56 minutes when Shaw appeared to impede Wilson as he tried to convert King's cross
But referee Scott deemed the left-back's challenge legal, and United made the most of their reprieve as Lukaku, eight minutes after coming off the bench, lifted the decisive second over Begovic at the end of a Paul Pogba-led counter
After drawing criticism from his manager in the wake of United's defeat to West Brom, which handed Manchester City the title, all eyes were on the Pogba to get United back on the winning track
 He took his time to grow into the game but once he was up to speed we were treated to a vintage display from the Frenchman, who capped an imperious second-half display by setting up Lukaku for United's second
Bournemouth travel to south-coast rivals Southampton on Saturday, April 28, for a game which could go a long way to deciding each club's fortunes
 United, meanwhile, take on Tottenham for a place in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday before hosting Arsenal at Old Trafford on  on April 29
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