Manchester United's Ryan Giggs.

LONDON (AP)

Manchester United returned to the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at West Ham, extending its record-breaking run to 13 matches without conceding a goal.

Arsenal may have been the last team to breach and beat the defending champions in the league, but its own title challenge appears even less credible after a 0-0 draw at Tottenham left them 12 points adrift of United. Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Eboue had a goal disallowed before being sent off.

United responded to Liverpool's last-gasp 3-2 victory at Portsmouth by registering its sixth 1-0 victory in its last eight league matches.

Resolute opponents

Striker Dimitar Berbatov found the net in the 20th minute, but his effort was correctly ruled out for offside and the Hammers were proving resolute opponents.

Former West Ham striker Carlos Tevez missed the target after the break with a header after latching on to a free kick from Giggs.

And the 35-year-old Giggs showed that age is no hindrance to quality by completing a stunning solo run into the penalty area with the only goal in the 62nd minute at Upton Park.

The Welsh midfielder, who holds United's appearance record, collected a pass from Paul Scholes, another United veteran, cut inside from the left and rounded Carlton Cole and Scott Parker before striking a right-footed shot low past Robert Green.

United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar set a new British club record of 1,312 minutes without conceding a goal, surpassing Chris Woods' unbeaten run at Rangers in 1986-87.

"What the back four are doing is focusing and concentrating on their jobs," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "They've got pace, they're quick and, of course, we've got a goalkeeper like Edwin van der Sar who is just a fantastic goalkeeper.

"I'm proud for Edwin. At his age (38) he has achieved everything, but you can see the way he is motivated by the challenge of the clean sheets and it's an extra edge."

Arsenal remains unbeaten against north London rival Tottenham in the league since 1999.