United looking to bounce back at Newcastle

LONDON:

With Manchester United and Arsenal each seeking to overcome huge disappointment, the Premier League title race continues in midweek with three matches that could yet help determine the destination of the title.

United head to Newcastle today, just three days after missing out on the chance of a treble by losing to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals. But Arsenal's players go to Tottenham tomorrow trying to get over the injury-time penalty equaliser that earned Liverpool a 1-1 draw on Sunday, to leave the Gunners six points back in second place.

strong favourite

Any slip-up by Arsenal against their local rivals could then leave defending champions Chelsea, which host Birmingham in tomorrow's other match, as United's closest challenger with five games remaining.

United are still a strong favourite to win the Premier League but cannot afford to relax just yet.

"It doesn't matter when you play, you know you've got to recover and get on a winning streak again,'' United manager Alex Ferguson said.

Newcastle could be the perfect opponents for United, which will be without the suspended Paul Scholes after his red card against City at Wembley. United are unbeaten in 17 matches against Newcastle since September 2001 and the Magpies will be without suspended captain Kevin Nolan, who has scored 12 goals this season.

United have striker Wayne Rooney available again after a two-game suspension and the England international could replace Dimitar Berbatov, who missed two good chances against City. Defender Jonny Evans is also able to play following a ban.

"We must forget the City game now and concentrate on winning the title,'' United captain Nemanja Vidic said. "It will not be easy, but we have to perform, play good football and try to win the league.''

Arsenal's dramatic draw with Liverpool, in which they scored a penalty in the eighth minute of injury time before conceding another in the 12th, means they have dropped six points from their last three home matches.