Yorke’s Rovers silence Gunners 2-0

LONDON: Manchester United and Newcastle took advantage of a surprise defeat for football  leaders Arsenal to slash the champions’ lead to the top of the Premier League yesterday.

Arsenal went down 2-0 at Dwight Yorke’s Blackburn Rovers, allowing second-placed Manchester United to move to within two points of them with a 1-0 win at Aston Villa. Newcastle are only five points behind Arsenal after their 2-0 victory at Charlton Athletic. Well-struck goals in each half by Blackburn midfielders Damien Duff and Tugay condemned Arsenal to their first defeat in 13 league matches, dating back to December 7. Blackburn completed a rare double, having won 2-1 at Highbury in October.

David Beckham scored United’s winner at Villa in an early kickoff, while Alan Shearer, with a penalty, and Nolberto Solano, secured Newcastle the points in a bruising game at The Valley. Mick McCarthy suffered a damaging home defeat — 2-0 by Bolton Wanderers — in his first game as manager of bottom club Sunderland, who are now 10 points from safety and seemingly doomed. Elsewhere, Brazilian Juninho inspired Middlesbrough to a 3-2 win at stumbling Leeds United, Southampton fought back to draw 2-2 at Fulham and fourth-placed Everton were held 0-0 at home by struggling West Ham United.