Manchester United missed a chance to draw level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League as they slumped to a stunning 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United. The returning Wayne Rooney couldn't inspire Sir Alex Ferguson's side, as they suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time in 10 months to leave them in second place, three points adrift of leaders City, who they face in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Newcastle, who pull to within a point of sixth-placed Liverpool, savoured their first victory over the defending Champions for a decade at the 19th attempt thanks to stunning goals in each half. The first, came predictably, from their in-form striker, Demba Ba, the second expertly curled home by their French midfielder Yohan Cabaye barely 90 seconds after the re-start.
United's misery was capped in stoppage time by Phil Jones' own goal. It proved to be a frustrating return to action for England forward Rooney. In front of a near-capacity crowd of 52,299, the hosts produced plenty of eye-catching football prior to deservedly breaking the deadlock, but Ba's 15th of the season in the 32nd minute owed everything to route one.