SWEET SHERRY PUTS UNITED CLEAR
It was a battling display by the Premiership basement clubs and Boro even had the temerity to take the lead just after the half hour through Christian Karembeu, the French star whose form had been patchy at best.
However, Nicky Butt celebrated his England call-up for the friendly against Italy with the equaliser in the 62nd minute and three minutes later Teddy Sheringham continued his amazing run of success with the winner.
Jim Smith's Derby showed impressive character to come away from Highbury with a point and if chances had gone their way they may have even got all three but Rory Delap missed a couple of half chances.
The home side looked drained following their mid-week trip to the Ukraine and looked surprisingly devoid of ideas upfront with everything being forced through the middle which gave The Rams plenty of chances to mop up at the back.
Aston Villa moved to third with a 2-0 win over Tottenham at Villa Park. Ian Taylor was the goal-scoring hero with a brace and David Ginola made his much awaited return from injury to a standing ovation from both sets of supporters.
Leicester dropped a place because of their 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. In the battle of present England manager against past, Peter Taylor took the early honours as his inspired substitution of Arnar Gunnlaugsson provided almost instant dividends as the Icelandic star curled in a wicked 25 yard free-kick past Shay Given.
However, Bobby Robson's side showed commendable determination to force their way back into the game and Kieron Dyer played in Gary Speed to earn the Magpies a point.
Ipswich continued their impressive early season form with a 2-0 home win over Charlton in the battle of the Premiership newboys. The Blues had scored in every game so far this season and Matty Holland continued that sequence as he played a great one-two, dummied to shoot before rocketing a 25 yard blast past Dean Kiely.
Marcus Stewart made the game safe with a late goal and the Suffolk side continued their march up the table.
Sunderland conceded an 89th minute equaliser to Dean Richards as Southampton got a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light whilst recent signing Gary Naysmith's 87th minute goal gave Everton all three points at Bradford.
Despite going a goal down to Manchester City, West Ham finally started to show their Premiership credentials and goals from Steve Lomas, Trevor Sinclair, Ian Pearce and a debatable Paolo di Canio penalty gave them a convincing 4-1 victory.
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Arsenal 0 Derby County 0
Aston Villa 2 Tottenham 0
Bradford City 0 Everton 1
Ipswich Town 2 Charlton Athletic 0
Leicester City 1 Newcastle United 1
Manchester United 2 Middlesbrough 1
Sunderland 2 Southampton 2
West Ham United 4 Manchester City 1
