Man Utd's 'championship performance' delights Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson praised his Manchester United side for producing a "championship performance" as they came from behind on three occasions to beat Newcastle 4-3 at Old Trafford.

The victory extended their Premier League lead over Manchester City, who lost to Sunderland, to seven points.

"Never mind where we are in the table - that was a championship performance," said a delighted Ferguson.

"We dropped two points at Swansea [on Sunday] but made up for it today."

The Scot added: "I think it's given us all a lift - some of the football we played was fantastic."

Newcastle took the lead early in the first half when James Perch capitalised on David De Gea's failure to hold Demba Ba's shot.

Jonny Evans equalised before the Northern Ireland defender put the ball into his own net.

The goal was initially disallowed after it appeared that assistant referee Jake Collin had judged Magpies striker Papiss Cisse - who was standing behind Evans - to have got the final touch from an offside position.

But after consulting with the linesman, referee Mike Dean allowed the goal to stand, noting that Evans had got the final touch and that Cisse was "non-active".

Ferguson was visibly upset by the decision and remonstrated with Dean, the fourth official and then Collin shortly before the restart.

Patrice Evra's leveller calmed Ferguson's fury before Papiss Cisse restored Newcastle's lead.

United's top scorer this season, Robin van Persie, grabbed his 16th of the campaign when he followed up his own blocked shot.

And in the final minute of normal time, Javier Hernandez, in the side for the injured Wayne Rooney, took advantage of a lapse in concentration to slide home the winner.

The result left Alan Pardew's Newcastle side five points above the drop-zone, with a trip to Arsenal next on their fixture list.

- BBC.co.uk