Javier Hernandez (right) celebrates with Tom Cleverley after scoring Manchester United's winner in the 4-3 win over Newcastle. Manchester United beat Newcastle 4-3 in a Boxing Day thriller Javier Hernandez scores in the last minute for UnitedThey increase lead to seven points over Manchester City who lost at Sunderland Chelsea take closer order with 1-0 win at Norwich(CNN) -- Javier Hernandez grabbed a dramatic late winner as Manchester United beat Newcastle 4-3 in a pulsating Boxing Day encounter at Old Trafford.
The Mexican's 90th minute strike, combined with a 1-0 defeat for reigning champions Manchester City at Sunderland, left United seven points clear of their neighbors at the top of the table.He was drafted into the starting line-up in the absence of Wayne Rooney, who was injured in a training session and will be sidelined for up to three weeks with a knee ligament problem.But United trailed three times to an enterprising Newcastle, who took the lead as early as the fourth minute through James Perch.var currExpandable="expand15";if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}var mObj={};mObj.type='video';mObj.contentId='';mObj.source='sports/2012/12/05/lionel-messi-goal-record.cnn';mObj.videoSource='CNN';mObj.videoSourceUrl='';mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/121205053840-lionel-messi-goal-record-00000000-story-body.jpg";mObj.lgImageX=300;mObj.lgImageY=169;mObj.origImageX="214";mObj.origImageY="120";mObj.contentType='video';CNN.expElements.expand15Store=mObj;Home defender Jonny Evans drew them level in the 25th minute, but three minutes later was involved at the other end in a controversial own goal.Danny Simpson's shot struck the Northern Irish international and deflected into his home net, but it was initially ruled out because Papiss Cisse was in an offside position.Referee Mike Dean then consulted with his linesman and reversed the decision, leaving Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in a furious exchange with officials.United took until the 58th minute to draw level with Patrice Evra on target again with a low shot, but Newcastle responded with their third goal.Read: RVP 'could have been killed'The statement was our performance, that was a championship winning performanceAlex FergusonFormer United winger Gabriel Obertan set up Cisse to sweep home to give them a 3-2 lead but again it was short lived.Robin van Persie saw his shot saved by Tim Krul but was on hand to sweep home the rebound.The points looked to be shared until Michael Carrick found Hernandez with a clever pass and the striker scored on the half volley.Ferguson was delighted by the fighting spirit showed by his team in what could prove to be key moment in the title race."The statement was our performance, that was a championship winning performance," he told Sky Sports.Meanwhile, City were coming unstuck at Sunderland, with their former player Adam Johnson scoring early in the second half, his shot eluding Joe Hart to creep in.Chelsea took closer order in third, four points behind Manchester City and with a game in hand, with a 1-0 win at Norwich.Spanish star Juan Mata scored the only goal of the match for a side fast improving under Rafa Benitez.They had thrashed Aston Villa 8-0 Sunday and Villa's woes continued in the late kick off as a Gareth Bale hat-trick saw Tottenham Hotspur win 4-0.Jermain Defoe scored the other goal for Tottenham, who moved back into fourth position with the thumping away win.Everton also kept up their challenge for a Champions League place and have the same points tally as Tottenham after an earlier 2-1 home win over Wigan.Second half goals from Leon Osman and Phil Jagielka put them in command before Arouna Kone's late consolation for struggling Wigan.West Bromwich Albion are also on 33 points in sixth place with a 2-1 win at Queens Park Rangers, who slipped to the bottom as Reading secured a point in a 0-0 home draw with Swansea.In the late evening match, Stoke continued their fine recent run with a 3-1 win over Liverpool, who had led through an early Steven Gerrard penalty.
Alex Ferguson may have overstepped the mark by claiming Robin van Persie "could have been killed," says CNN's Gary Morley.
CNN's Pedro Pinto looks at the options for Barcelona following the cancer relapse of coach Tito Vilanova.December 18, 2012 -- Updated 1121 GMT (1921 HKT) 
New research suggests the use of ice baths to aid recovery after intense exercise is not as beneficial as previously thought.December 13, 2012 -- Updated 1335 GMT (2135 HKT) 
Racist abuse, fan violence, attacks on players -- on the face of it, English football seems to be experiencing a return to its darkest days.December 14, 2012 -- Updated 1509 GMT (2309 HKT) 
He might have walked alone in a crowd of 15,000 fans, but for one Italian soccer fan that lonely experience has resulted in internet stardom.
CNN's John Sinnott on the quiet coach who has overseen Barca's record-breaking start to the season. December 10, 2012 -- Updated 1547 GMT (2347 HKT) 
Lionel Messi's record-breaking 86-goal haul in 2012 further enhanced the argument that the Argentine is the best player the world has ever seen.December 11, 2012 -- Updated 1100 GMT (1900 HKT) 
Lionel Messi takes just 25 minutes to dispel any doubts that he would break Gerd Muller's 1972 world record of goals in a calendar year.December 6, 2012 -- Updated 1824 GMT (0224 HKT) 
Diego Mendieta was a man who needed help. There he lay, helpless. Alone. Dying. There were no news stories. There was no Twitter hashtag. 
Comparing the unique talents of Lionel Messi and Gerd Muller, two very different goal scorers from very different eras.December 4, 2012 -- Updated 1557 GMT (2357 HKT) 
Lionel Messi has dominated the football landscape in 2012 scoring goals for club and country at a rate unparalleled by any of his peers.
Is it time for referees to stop matches if racist and anti-Semitic abuse occurs?November 27, 2012 -- Updated 1321 GMT (2121 HKT) 
Violent attacks, the chanting of Adolf Hitler's name and anti-Semitic abuse -- not dark memories of the 1930s but present reality for Tottenham.
CNN's Tom McGowan outlines why Rafael Benitez can succeed as interim Chelsea manager.
CNN's Pedro Pinto looks at how Roberto di Matteo's Chelsea tenure unraveled.November 21, 2012 -- Updated 1159 GMT (1959 HKT) 
Last Wednesday, in a move that I still don't fully understand, I became a shareholder in the Spanish football club Real Oviedo.November 21, 2012 -- Updated 1641 GMT (0041 HKT) 
The Secret Footballer lifts the lid on betting practices in the English Premier League in a special column for CNN.November 15, 2012 -- Updated 1846 GMT (0246 HKT) 
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's stunning overhead volley in Sweden's win against England set ripples across social media.
After his four-goal tour de force against England, CNN's Pedro Pinto examines the merits of the one and only Zlatan Ibrahimovic.November 13, 2012 -- Updated 1738 GMT (0138 HKT) 
The Secret Footballer reveals his experiences of the gambling addiction that is rife among many English Premier League players.
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