Wayne Rooney

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London - Manchester United were given an early scare at Newcastle United on Wednesday before coming back for a 2-1 victory that restored their seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov scored United's goals after Peter Lovenkrands had ended keeper Edwin van der Sar's 14-match run of league clean sheets with an early strike.

United have 65 points with chasing Chelsea and Liverpool, who have both played a game more, back on 58.

Fourth-placed Aston Villa's Champions League ambitions were dealt a blow with a 2-0 loss at Manchester City while Stoke City climbed out of the bottom three with a 2-0 home victory over Bolton Wanderers. West Ham United won 1-0 at Wigan Athletic.

Blackburn and Everton played out to a goalless draw, Hull upset Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage and Spurs made up for their Carling Cup final loss by putting four unanswered goals past Middlesbrough.