Man United 4 - 3 Newcastle

Manchester United emerged victorious from an enthralling seven goal thriller to go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

It was Newcastle who drew first blood when James Perch reacted first after David De Gea failed to hold a Demba Ba shot in the fifth minute.

But United were on level terms, 20 minutes later when Jonny Evans also got on the end of a rebound from a Chicharito Hernandez strike.

But Newcastle regained the lead just three minutes later in controversial fashion. Evans went from hero to villain when he diverted a Danny Simpson shot into his own net.

The linesman raised his flag in the belief that the offside Papiss Cisse had touched the ball but after a minute's consultation, referee Mike Dean awarded the goal much to the chagrin of Alex Ferguson who remonstrated with the officals at half-time - which could see the Reds boss face some disciplinary action.

But Fergie's men were level again just before the hour mark as captain Patrice Evra fired past Tim Krul from the edge of the box.

But amazingly the Magpies nicked the lead again as Cisse smashed in a Gabriel Obertan cross.

However United would not be denied as Robin Van Persie slotted in after a goalmouth scramble.

Sammy Ameobi came agonisingly close, hitting the post minutes later but they would suffer heartbreak as Hernandez collected a Michael Carrick through ball and slid it past Krul in the final minute of normal time to snatch all three points - and a seven point lead at the top.

 

Sunderland 1 - 0 Man City

The pressure is piling on Roberto Mancini as his Manchester City side fell 1 - 0 to Sunderland and fell seven points behind United.

And to add insult to injury it was one of his former charges that struck the telling blow.

Adam Johnson cut in from the right wing and found the net early in the second half - although his former team-mate Joe Hart should have done better in the City goal.

City had their chances in a gritty encounter with Vincent Kompany striking the bar and Sergio Aguero going close with a late chance but the Sky Blues could not find a way past Simon Mignolet in the Sunderland goal.

 

Norwich 0 - 1 Chelsea

Chelsea recent run of good form continued as a Juan Mata strike proved the difference against Norwich.

A tight encounter was decided when the Spaniard fired a 25-yard effort past Mark Bunn.

The result lifts Chelsea four points behind second-placed Man City while the Canaries' second successive defeat leaves them 11th.

 

Boxing Day results

Everton 2 - 1 Wigan

Fulham 1 - 1 Southampton

Manchester United 4 - 3 Newcastle

Norwich 0 - 1 Chelsea

QPR 1 - 2 West Brom

Reading 0 - 0 Swansea

Sunderland 1 - 0 Man City

 

Aston Villa and Tottenham kick off at 5.30pm with Liverpool travelling to Stoke's Britannia Stadiuma at 7.45pm.