Ferguson risks FA inquiry after penalty decision costs victory

MANCHESTER CITY could extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points this afternoon when they play Liverpool after their leading challengers, Manchester United, played out a controversial 1-1 draw with Newcastle yesterday.

It was a rip-roaring match at Old Trafford, albeit one that left Alex Ferguson furious – and, according to The Observer, facing a possible FA investigation - while his Newcastle counterpart Alan Pardew sang the praises of his “Geordie heroes”.

Javier Hernandez gave the hosts the lead on 49 minutes but then the Magpies levelled 15 minutes later with a goal that Ferguson called a “travesty”. As Rio Ferdinand challenged Hatem Ben Arfa in the United area the ball went out of play and referee Mike Jones signalled corner. His assistant John Flynn thought otherwise, telling Jones that Ferdinand had fouled Ben Arfa, and Demba Ba duly drilled the penalty past David De Gea.

The upshot of the decision was a feisty final 25 minutes with Newcastle’s Jonas Gutierrez sent off and Tim Krul making two excellent saves for the visitors. But the atmosphere out on the pitch was tame compared to afterwards when Ferguson gave the officials both barrels for awarding the penalty: “It was a terrible decision, one of the worst I have ever seen... an absolutely shocking decision. It costs you, that,” fumed Ferguson.

He now faces a possible dugout ban from the FA having questioned whether linesman Flynn should “ever get a game again”.

United defender Rio Ferdinand later tweeted: “I don't want to go into the penalty decision or I'll get fined!” Newcastle boss Pardew agreed that the decision was “debatable” but was more eager to talk about his team’s performance, saying: “My players, for me, were Geordie heroes today. It was a brilliant game and it will live long in the memory.”

Despite their precious point, Newcastle slipped to fourth after Tottenham’s fine run continued with a 3-1 win away at West Bromwich Albion. The Lilywhites are now third, two points behind United but with a game in hand. Youssouf Mulumbu had given the Baggies the lead on ten minutes but Emmanuel Adebayor pulled one back midway during the first period before goals from Jermain Defoe and a second from Adebayor sealed the win for Spurs.

Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Andre Villas-Boas with a comfortable 3-0 home victory against Wolves. It was only the Blues’ second win in their last six matches but the result never looked in doubt after John Terry put them 1-0 ahead on seven minutes. Daniel Sturridge added a second on 25 minutes and Juan Mata made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time.

After a week in which Villas-Boas had to brush off suggestions that his job is on the line, the Portguese coach was in bullish form post-match. “I think we can,” he replied, when asked if Chelsea can still win the title. “It's a good challenge for the team and hopefully we can now respond in this period.”

Arsenal’s unbeaten streak is now up ten games after they drew 1-1 with Fulham, a result that sees the Gunners move above Liverpool into sixth. For once Robin van Persie didn’t get on the score sheet as Arsenal centre-back Thomas Vermaelen scored both goals. The Belgian defender put into his own net on 65 minutes but five minutes before the end he redeemed himself by heading home Theo Walcott’s cross.

“It feels a little bit like a defeat because we've dropped two points and conceded a stupid goal,” said Arsene Wenger later. “But I can't be too demanding on the team because the players are exceptional.”

At the foot of the table Wigan moved off the bottom thanks to a 2-1 victory at Sunderland while fellow relegation-zoners Bolton lost 2-0 at Everton. In other games, Blackburn went down 3-1 to Stoke while Norwich beat QPR 2-1 to move into ninth position. ·