Manchester United 4 Newcastle 3

JAVIER HERNANDEZ struck a dramatic late winner in an astonishing seven-goal thriller.

Manchester United fell behind THREE times at Old Trafford — yet somehow walked away with three points.

And the extraordinary victory puts United seven points clear of arch rivals City at the top of the table.

Newcastle took an early lead when James Perch struck a rare goal on four minutes. Jonny Evans equalised — but then gifted away the lead by turning into his own net just FOUR minutes later.

And furious boss Alex Ferguson was not happy with it.

The goal was initially chalked off with Papiss Cisse ruled offside. Yet ref Mike Dean then GAVE the goal after deciding with assistant Jake Collin that Cisse was not intefering with play.

Fergie gave Collin a rocket as the teams came out after the break.

But his mood improved when Patrice Evra made it 2-2 with an ice-cool finish on 57 minutes. That scoreline did not last long, however — with Papiss Cisse hitting a glorious strike 11 minutes later to put the Toon ahead.

Incredibly, there was more drama to come and Robin van Persie levelled just two minutes later.

And in an final astonishing twist, Hernandez struck to send Newcastle home empty-handed.Man Utd: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes (Cleverley 69), Giggs, van Persie, Hernandez (Fletcher 90).

Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Vidic, Buttner, Wootton, Tunnicliffe.

Booked: Evans, Hernandez, Valencia.

Goals: Evans 25, Evra 58, van Persie 71, Hernandez 90.

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Anita, Perch, Bigirimana (Obertan 65), Cisse (Sammy Ameobi 79), Ba (Shola Ameobi 71), Marveaux. Subs Not Used: Elliot, Ferguson, Tavernier, Campbell.

Booked: Williamson, Simpson, Cisse.

Goals: Perch 4, Evans 28 og, Cisse 68.

Att: 75,596

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

Source: thesun.co.uk