Newcastle slow down United

NEWCASTLE, England (AP):

Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle yesterday, slowing the Premier League leader's title charge.

Manchester United (20-10-3) have a seven-point lead over second-place Arsenal (18-5-9) heading into the Gunners' game at fifth-place Tottenham (14-6-11) today.

Manchester United, which have five games left, are seeking a record 19th English league title.

United were denied a penalty kick in stoppage time when Javier Hernandez was given a yellow card for diving after being challenged by defender Danny Simpson.

"I didn't feel like I touched him," Simpson said. "I feel like he went down too soft."

United manager Alex Ferguson criticised referee Lee Probert.

"It was a clear penalty. It's an insult because he's booked him," Ferguson said. "I thought the referee had a good game tonight, but he's let himself down by booking the player. If it's not a penalty, fine. But to book him is an insult. There is definitely contact, no doubt about that."

Ferguson claimed not to see Newcastle's earlier penalty claim, in which Peter Lovenkrands felt he was tripped by United midfielder Anderson.

"The more obvious penalty was Peter Lovenkrands - it's an absolute cert," Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said. "It was a story of two penalties: one that definitely was for us and one that wasn't for them."

In the first half at Newcastle, goalkeeper Tim Krul denied Hernandez and Wayne Rooney, who returned after a two-match suspension for swearing into a TV camera during a goal celebration against West Ham.

Newcastle (10-13-10) are ninth with 40 points, usually enough to be safe from relegation.