Manchester United snatched a last-gasp 4-3 victory over Newcastle at Old Trafford yesterday to go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The visitors took the lead in the fourth minute, as James Perch fired home after David de Gea had made a mess of a Demba Ba effort.

The home side equalised in the 25^th minute, Jonny Evans firing home the leveller. Newcastle regained the lead on 28 minutes, as Jonny Evans deflected Danny Simpson’s cross-cum-shot past his own keeper.

United were back on level terms just before the hour mark. Full-back Patrice Evra fired the home side back on level terms with a low effort from the edge of the penalty area. The visitors were back in the lead on 68 minutes though.

Substitute Gabriel Obertan’s cross found striker Papiss Cisse who finished low past De Gea in the United goal. The Red Devils levelled the scores again in the 71^st minute, as Robin Van Persie fired home at the second attempt.

The game looked to be heading for a draw when Javier Hernandez got on the end of Michael Carrick’s cross to scuff an effort past Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal. The result was harsh on the visitors, who never looked out of the game.

Champions Manchester City suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. City centre-back Vincent Kompany struck the cross bar, before the visitors took the lead. The only goal of the game came in the 53^rd minute.

Former-City winger Adam Johnson cut inside and fired an effort towards goal, that Joe Hart should have done better with, but the ball somehow found its way past the England keeper. The defeat leaves City seven points behind arch-rivals Manchester United. The home side are now seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Other Premier League results:

Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham

Everton 2-1 Wigan

Fulham 1-1 Southampton

Norwich 0-1 Chelsea

QPR 1-2 West Brom

Reading 0-0 Swansea

Stoke 3-1 Liverpool

Can Stoke finish above Liverpool in the Premier League table?