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England round-up: Emphatic win sends United top

Manchester United FC moved to the Premiership summit with a 6-2 win at third-placed Newcastle United FC.

Manchester United FC moved top of the Premiership with an emphatic 6-2 victory at third-placed Newcastle United FC.

Vital game
The win moved Sir Alex Ferguson’s side three points ahead of Arsenal FC, who are involved in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday, at the top of the table. The two sides meet at Highbury on Wednesday.

Bright start
At Saint James’ Park, the home side actually began the brighter, and took the lead after 20 minutes. Craig Bellamy forced a good save from United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, but the ball fell kindly for Newcastle midfield player Jermaine Jenas, who shot into the net from nearly 30 metres.

Quick goals
However, the goal sparked the away side into life, and Ole Gunnar Solksjær equalised after 32 minutes from Ryan Giggs’ cross, before two goals in four minutes from Paul Scholes turned the match around. It was 4-1 a minute before half-time, as Giggs scored himself after John O’Shea had been denied by the crossbar.

Scholes hat-trick
United continued to dominate in the second half, as Scholes scored his hat-trick after 51 minutes, finishing after good work from Gary Neville, before Ruud van Nistelrooij made it six from the penalty spot after Titus Bramble had fouled Diego Forlán. Shola Ameobi made the scoreline marginally more respectable in the final minute, but it was of little consolation to the home side, who saw their own title hopes ended.

Chelsea close the gap
The result enabled Chelsea FC to move to within a point of Newcastle, recording a 1-0 home win against struggling Bolton Wanderers FC thanks to Carlton Cole’s 58th-minute goal. Meanwhile, Liverpool FC maintained their challenge for a European place with a comfortable 2-0 home win against Fulham FC thanks to goals from Emile Heskey and Michael Owen.

West Brom on the brink
At the other end of the table, West Bromwich Albion FC slipped closer to demotion with a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Everton FC, despite taking the lead with an Igor Balis penalty. Goals from David Weir and Kevin Campbell turned the match around before half-time and kept Everton on course for a European place.

Sunderland relegated
Sunderland AFC were relegated after a 2-0 defeat at Birmingham City FC, their tenth consecutive loss. Goals in either half from Bryan Hughes and Christophe Dugarry eased the home side’s own relegation worries while Sunderland had Marcus Stewart dismissed.

Important point
West Ham United FC earned a valuable point ahead of next week’s vital visit to Bolton, with Frédéric Kanoute securing a 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa FC. Goals from Darius Vassell and Øyvind Leonhardsen turned the match in the away side’s favour after Trevor Sinclair had given West Ham an early lead.

Two for Viduka
Blackburn Rovers FC were 1-0 winners at home to Charlton Athletic FC, with Damien Duff’s goal decisive, while Manchester City FC and Middlesbrough FC drew 0-0. Two goals from Mark Viduka gave Leeds United AFC a 2-2 draw at home to Tottenham Hostpur FC, with Teddy Sheringham and Robbie Keane on target for the away side.

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