Man Utd back on top as Liverpool beat Newcastle

Manchester United returned to the top of the English premier league on Wednesday as two goals each for David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy gave them a 4-0 home win over 10-man Tottenham Hotspur.

United have 61 points, one ahead of Arsenal, who were briefly top after beating Derby County 1-0 on Tuesday.

Liverpool remain third on 59 after an impressive 3-0 home win over fourth-placed Newcastle United (55), Danny Murphy scoring twice in a game delayed by 30 minutes because of a power failure.

Leeds United stayed fifth on 48 after beating Ipswich Town 2-0 for their first win in 11 games thanks to a lucky Robbie Fowler shot and Ian Harte's penalty.

Chelsea are sixth on 47 after Mikael Forssell's late goal gave them a 3-2 home win over west London rivals Fulham.

REAL DANGER

Everton were left in real danger after a 1-0 defeat at West Ham United, while Southampton drew 1-1 at home with Middlesbrough, who played the last 30 minutes with 10 men after Gianluca Festa was sent off.

Manchester United beat Spurs 5-3 at White Hart Lane earlier in the season, coming from 3-0 down at halftime, but they were always in control on Wednesday once Beckham had blasted them ahead after 16 minutes with a rare left-footer.

Van Nistelrooy claimed the second from the penalty spot after Mauricio Taricco pulled down Paul Scholes on the edge of the box.

It was the Dutchman's 20th league goal of the season, making him the first United player to reach the landmark since Brian McClair in 1988.

BRILLIANT FOURTH

A good run by Diego Forlan, making his first start, set up Beckham for the third in the 64th minute, and Van Nistelrooy produced a great turn and finish for the fourth 14 minutes from time.

Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle said the penalty had been crucial.

"It was one of the worst decisions I have seen since I have been in football," he told Sky Sports TV.

"It was a yard and a half outside, it wasn't even a close call and it has cost us dearly.

"Before that we had a lot of the ball and were causing them some problems," added Hoddle, who said he thought linesmen should now follow referees in becoming professional.

Ferguson, who thought the offence took place outside the area, said the referee had nevertheless been right to send Taricco off as he was the last man.

"I would think at 1-0 up against 10 you would expect to win but the player had to go," he said.

"We stretched Tottenham well in the second half.

"I was really pleased with Diego Forlan. He probably tried too hard at times but he showed a lot of quality.

"David Beckham was also superb."

Liverpool chalked up their eighth successive league win over Newcastle at Anfield and it was a comprehensive one that rewarded their decision to start with Michael Owen, Nicolas Anelka and Emile Heskey.

Shay Given did brilliantly to touch Anelka's shot on to the bar but Danny Murphy rewarded Liverpool for their first-half dominance, arriving late to squeeze in a low shot after good work by Anelka down the right in the 32nd minute.

DIVIDENDS

Murphy skipped through two tackles to blast in the second on 53 minutes and after Newcastle's Carl Cort had a goal ruled out for knocking in a corner with his hand, former Newcastle man Dietmar Hamann completed the win in the 75th.

The defeat, coming days after a 2-0 home loss to Arsenal, looks to have ended Newcastle's title hopes, but Liverpool stayed on course for a shot at their first title in 12 years.

"It was as an all-round tremendous performance," said stand-in manager Phil Thompson.

Of the decision to start with the three strikers, he said: "We said 'let's go for it' and with Vladimir Smicer that's four attacking players and it paid dividends.

"We've had a bit of stick for our home performances but we deserved the goals today. It was a great win against a very good team."

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson said: "I'm really disappointed, we didn't play half as well as I thought we might.

"We were second-best all night -- they were clearly better than we were."