SOUTHAMPTON (England), Jan 13: Manchester United chalked up their seventh successive league victory on Sunday as a spirited 3-1 success at Southampton took them to the top of the standings for the first time this season.

Southampton, coming off wins over Chelsea and Liverpool, went ahead with a James Beattie header but United equalised five minutes later when Ruud van Nistelrooy cut in from the right to slot his 13th goal in nine games.

After the impressive Saints hit the post and grazed the bar, United went ahead just before halftime with a curling David Beckham free kick and they took charge after the break, sealing the win with an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shot after 63 minutes.

United, who are the eighth team to top the table this season, have 42 points and lead Newcastle United on goal difference. Leeds United, who lost 3-1 to Newcastle on Saturday, drop to third on 41.

Arsenal missed the chance to go joint top of the table when they were held to a 1-1 home draw by a Liverpool team full of endeavour but short on ambition.

The result leaves Arsenal fourth on 40 points, behind Leeds United (41), Newcastle United (42) and Manchester United (42). Liverpool stay fifth on 39.

Results:

Southampton 1 Manchester United 3

Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1

Italian first division

Atalanta 2 Bologna 2

Chievo Verona 2 Fiorentina 2

AC Milan 0 Brescia 0

Parma 1 Lecce 1

Piacenza 1 Lazio 0

AS Roma 3 Verona 2

Torino 3 Udinese 1

Venezia 1 Juventus 2

Spanish first division:

Alaves 1 Tenerife 0

Barcelona 3 Sevilla 1

Celta Vigo 1 Osasuna 1

Real Betis 1 Malaga 1

Real Zaragoza 0 Espanyol 0

Valladolid 3 Deportivo Coruna 0

Played Saturday:

Athletic Bilbao 2 Real Sociedad 1

Villarreal 1 Rayo Vallecano 1

—Reuters