Birmingham hold United as City maul Villa

Spurs, Blackburn and Blackpool record record impressive victories.

LONDON: Manchester United regained top spot in the Premier League on Tuesday but there were no celebrations from Alex Ferguson after his team gave up another late goal in a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.

United had needed only a point to leapfrog their neighbours but looked on course for all three after Dimitar Berbatov burst into life in the 58th minute to open the home defence with a incredible move that started with him near the centre line with a backheel pass and finished by the Bulgarian himself with a low drilled shot from eight yards.

However, Birmingham, beaten at home only once this season, fought back strongly and Lee Bowyer scrambled the equaliser in the 89th minute to leave United with seven draws and one win from their eight away games.

The draw took them to 38 points from 18 games, ahead on goal difference of Manchester City, who have played 20.

Temporary top spot

Meanwhile, cross town rivals Manchester City demolished Aston Villa 4-0 with Mario Balotelli grabbing an easy hat-trick and Adam Johnson starring with a blistering display on the right flank. The victory gave them a temporary one point lead over United, but the 18 time English champions had played three games less prior to their draw in Birmingham. The defeat puts further pressure on Villa manager Gerard Houllier, who’s team languish in the bottom half of the table despite the former Liverpool man having a stellar young English-based squad at his disposal.

Top 4 break

Tottenham Hotspur meanwhile displaced Premier League champions Chelsea in the top four after a 2-0 win at home to Newcastle.

England international Aaron Lennon's second-half goal broke the deadlock at White Hart Lane.

Despite Spurs going a man down after Younes Kaboul's red card, they a second goal despite being a man down with in-form Wales wing-wizard Gareth Bale netting nine minutes from time.

In other matches, Blackburn beat West Brom 3-1, Blackpool stunned Sunderland 2-0 away and Fulham beat Stoke City by the same score.

Champions Chelsea, who have taken just six points from the last 24 having lost to Arsenal on Monday, slip to fifth on 31. They are also in action on Wednesday against Wigan Athletic.