Premier League: Manchester United 1 Newcastle 1

Manchester United stumbled in their chase of Manchester City atop the Premier League table after a 1-1 draw with Newcastle at Old Trafford.

An entertaining but goalless first half saw chances fall for both sides but the game was made to wait until the 49th minute for the deadlock to be broken, with Javier Hernandez deflecting home a Steven Taylor clearance, which dribbled agonisingly past Newcastle custodian Tim Krul.

A controversial penalty then led to Newcastle’s equaliser as Rio Ferdinand brought down Hatem Ben Arfa but appeared to win the ball fairly in the challenge.

Striker Demba Ba made the most of referee Michael Jones’ decision, with a languid spot kick to make it 1-1.

Jonas Gutierrez was sent off for picking up a second yellow card, to leave Newcastle on the back foot in the dying stages late.

Earlier, Rooney had carved out the first real chance of the game as he floated from a deep position before sliding in Hernandez with the outside of his right foot, only for the Mexican to hit his low effort straight at Krul.

It appeared to wake the visitors from their early malaise and they were soon threatening with gusto themselves, with a strong spell of possession in the United half that culminated in a sublime through ball from Ben Arfa through to Ba, but the Senegalese international failed to convert.

Krul was then forced to deliver a moment of genuine world-class goalkeeping as Giggs met Fabio’s dangerous angled cross with a delightful flick, but the Dutchman matched it with a phenomenal stretching save to his right-hand side.

The second half began in a similar vein but despite the impressive attacking intent shown by both teams, it was to be a stroke of luck that broke the deadlock.

The Mexican knew little about it, but his positioning, as ever, couldn’t have been better, as Steven Taylor’s attempted clearance came off his chest and rolled over the goalline.

United looked to turn the screw with good chances for Fabio, Rooney and Young all going close but failing to double the home side’s lead before De Gea pulled out a phenomenal save of his own from Coloccini’s attempt, tipping it over the bar.

The hosts’ profligacy was soon punished, as referee Jones pointed to the spot following a seemingly superb challenge from Ferdinand on Ben Arfa, and Ba equalised calmly.

The hosts continued to press – more so after Gutierrez’s red card – but the visitors held on with a durability that has come to define their season. A late goal for Hernandez was ruled out for offside and for United, it was another two points dropped in their premiership defence.