Manchester United FC passed up the chance to move level on points with leaders Manchester City FC after succumbing to their second successive Premier League defeat – a 3-0 reverse at Newcastle United FC.

Though the English champions might have taken the lead when Dimitar Berbatov's header struck the post on the quarter-hour mark, Sir Alex Ferguson's side – beaten 3-2 at home by Blackburn Rovers FC on Saturday – fell behind in the 33rd minute when Demba Ba superbly hooked in his 15th league goal of the season.

Yohan Cabaye's effort (47) was even more spectacular, his dipping free-kick flying in off the underside of the bar, and a miserable night for the visitors was complete when Phil Jones scored an added-time own goal to take the Magpies to within a point of sixth-placed Liverpool FC.

Elsewhere, goalkeeper Tim Howard scored from his own half for Everton FC, but Bolton Wanderers FC moved off the foot of the table after rallying to complete their fifth win of the season thanks to goals by David Ngog (67) and Gary Cahill (78).