London, January 13:

Manchester United beat Newcastle 6-0 to go top of the Premier League after Arsenal failed to win at home for just the second time this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a second-half hat trick at Old Trafford to lead United to a win that took them above Arsenal, which could only draw 1-1 with Birmingham.

Emmanuel Adebayor put Arsenal ahead with a penalty kick in the 21st minute, but Garry O’Connor equalised early in the second half with a deflected header.

Chelsea are just four points behind Arsenal after extending their unbeaten streak at Stamford Bridge against Tottenham to 20 games with a 2-0 win, while Liverpool lost more ground on

the leading teams with a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.

Ronaldo put United ahead in the 49th, waiting for the defensive wall to jump before putting his free kick under it and into the net.

Six minutes later, Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given hit a clearance against teammate Claudio Cacapa and the ball rebounded to Ryan Giggs, who set up Carlos Tevez for an easy finish.

Wayne Rooney headed wide before Ronaldo made it 3-0 in the 70th minute.

United completed the rout with three goals in the last five minutes. Rio Ferdinand scored before Ronaldo hit his third goal to make it 22 for the season, and Tevez rounded off the scoring with a volley that hit the bar and bounced down near the line.

United now have 51 points and lead Arsenal on goal difference. Liverpool retook fourth place from Manchester City but are now eight points behind third-place Chelsea, who have 47 points.

Liverpool were joined on 39 points by city rivals Everton, who beat visiting Manchester City 1-0 through a 31st-minute goal from Joleon Lescott. Aston Villa also have 39 after their 3-1 win over visiting Reading.

West Ham rallied to a 2-1 victory over next-to-last Fulham, while Wigan edged away from the

relegation zone with a 1-0 victory at last-place Derby, who have just seven points.

Spanish La Liga

MADRID: Samuel Eto’o scored twice and Thierry Henry set up two goals to lead FC Barcelona over Murcia 4-0 in the Spanish league on Saturday. Fran Yeste and Markel Susaeta scored to lead Athletic Bilbao over Sevilla 2-0 in the only other match.

Second-place Barcelona improved to 40 points to trail leaders Real Madrid by four points. Espanyol are third with 36, followed by Atletico Madrid with 34. Murcia stayed at 22.

Italian Serie A

MILAN: Captain Alessandro Del Piero’s last-minute penalty helped Juventus draw Catania 1-1 in the Serie A. Gionatha Spinesi put Catania ahead in the 15th minute. Juventus moved into a provisional tie for second place with AS Roma in the standings, seven points behind Inter Milan.

Also, Empoli and Reggina traded early goals in their 1-1 draw. Fabio Ceravolo scored for Reggina and Luca Saudati equalised with a penalty kick.