EPL as it happened: Manchester United 4-3 Newcastle

FOR FASTER UPDATES, AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE FOLLOWING THIS FROM THEIR PHONE, CLICK HERE Pre-match: There’s no winter break in the English Premier League. Instead, around Christmas time, the league suddenly explodes into life. It’s crunch time — the table is clustered, the title-chasers are tense, the relegation-battlers are nervy. The teams placed 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th are all on 30 points and just five points separate the relegation zone from 13th place. Yes, it’s Boxing Day and this is when things build up to ‘squeaky bum time’. Preview: Manchester United vs Newcastle – United go into this match with a four-point lead, but fully aware of how easily it can be slashed to nothing. Their defence looks much better though, with the return of Nemanja Vidic, but Alex Ferguson will also look forward to give Rafael a start. [caption id=“attachment_569902” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Ferguson said RVP’s impact has been like that of Cantona’s. Getty Images[/caption] Newcastle are depleted, with Yohan Cabaye and Ben Arfa the biggest missing links in attack and an unsavoury record of winning just one of their last 22 matches against Manchester United in all competitions.