United at St James Park

Dimitar Berbatov fired Manchester United seven points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League, scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory at lowly Newcastle. The Bulgarian clinched the points with a 56th-minute strike, but United had to come from behind to re-establish their advantage over Chelsea and Liverpool with a game in hand.

Newcastle scored first but on the twenty minute mark, United restored parity through Wayne Rooney. Rooney, back in the side after recovering from a virus, turned superbly past Fabricio Coloccini on to John O'Shea's pass and blasted a left-foot shot past Steve Harper. United continued to enjoy the greater share of the ball and defender Nemanja Vidic headed over the top with the goal at his mercy after the home defence had failed to deal with a 39th-minute Michael Carrick corner. A feisty affair continued in the same vein after the break with Vidic accusing Martins of catching him with an elbow as the pair jumped for a high ball.

The winner came when Ryan Taylor slipped as he attempted to chest a deep ball back to the Newcastle keeper and Park got there first to square for Berbatov, who calmly slotted it into the empty net. Newcastle were visibly deflated as United once again assumed control and they might have increased their lead as they powered their way towards the final whistle. The Newcastle keeper had to save from Ronaldo and Berbatov in quick succession as time ran down, and then dived bravely at the Portugal international's feet after he had slipped away from Steven Taylor.