Manchester United 5 Newcastle United 3

Ruud van Nistelrooy was the hero for the hosts as he bagged a hat-trick of close-range strikes with further efforts from Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer cancelling out The Magpies' three goals.

England man Scholes got the ball rolling netting on 24 minutes after a great piece of work by Solksjaer on the right flank.

However, Olivier Bernard levelled through a freak goal ten minutes later with his attempted cross looping over Fabien Barthez.

Three minutes later The Red Devils were back in front with van Nistelrooy heading home a Silvestre cross from close range.

In an action-packed first half the hosts scored again with Forlan's mis-kick landing at the feet of van Nistelrooy who notched his second on the chime of half-time.

Alan Shearer reduced the arrears on 51 minutes with a rocket of a free-kick that celebrated his 100th Premiership goal for Newcastle in the best fashion.

Sixty seconds later van Nistelrooy completed his treble heading in a clever cut-back from Forlan.

With 54 minutes on the clock Solksjaer made it 5-2 finishing with aplomb although there was a question mark of a foul on Aaron Hughes.

Craig Bellamy reduced the arrears on 73 minutes with United's defence all at sea but it was too little too late as United took the spoils.