Arsenal go top with victory over Newcastle

Arsenal beat Newcastle United 3-0 for the second time in four days last night to edge ahead of Manchester United in the Premier League title race.

Goals from Emmanuel Adebayor, Mathieu Flamini and Cesc Fabregas underlined Arsenal's superiority and took the Gunners three points above champions United, who can regain top spot at home to Portsmouth today.

Newcastle, beaten by the same score at the Emirates in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, are still looking for their first goal since Kevin Keegan returned as manager this month and remain just seven points above the relegation zone.

The three other matches yesterday all involved teams fighting to stay in the top flight.

Sunderland gave their survival hopes a huge boost, beating Birmingham City 2-0 at home to move out of the relegation zone into 14th place.

Daryl Murphy gave the Black Cats the lead with his second goal of the season in the 15th minute.

Rade Prica added a second for Roy Keane's side in the 65th minute with a goal on his debut.

Wigan Athletic dropped into the bottom three after losing 1-0 at Middlesbrough while Fulham stay second from bottom after a 0-0 draw at fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers.