LONDON, Jan 11: Champions Manchester United went top of the premier league on Sunday, but only by a point after being held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

Both sides rued decisions by referee Paul Durkin, with Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer having a solid penalty appeal turned down in the first half and United's Mikael Silvestre having a goal disallowed in the second.

But the draw was good news for both Arsenal and Chelsea, who hammered Leicester City 4-0 earlier on Sunday and reduced the gap separating them from United to five points.

Chelsea's Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink claimed two in the first half, Romanian substitute Adrian Mutu ended a two-month goal drought in the 88th minute andCelestine Babayaro rifled in their fourth in stoppage time.

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