THEY are still top, and with a game in hand, but Newcastle United are no longer favourites. Instead it is Manchester United, whose seventh successive win last night shattered Newcastle's perfect home record, who appear the stronger as the tape approaches.

Eric Cantona, showing his customary sense of occasion, scored the only goal after 51 minutes. If he was the match winner, Peter Schmeichel was the key player, denying Newcastle over and over again during a first half in which they threatened to bury their challengers.

On paper Newcastle's approach looked defensive with David Batty, eligible through a disciplinary loophole, being given a debut in midfield. It was certainly a hold move as he had not played a first team game for six weeks, but it did seem negative.

It did not take long to dispel that misconception. Within five minutes Newcastle could have been two up and they continued to pound at their visitors for the duration of the first half.

The man responsible was another debutant, Faustino Asprilla, who was making his St James' Park bow. The Colombian settled quicker than anyone and his touch and movement were exceptional. Had Les Ferdinand been as sharp, Newcastle would have been two up in the opening five minutes.

Twice the England striker was denied by Schmeichel, first as he ran on to Asprilla's flick on, then after Beardsley and Asprilla had combined. Next to stretch Schmeichel was Beardsley, shooting dangerously from 20 yards. Again the Dane was equal to the challenge. Then Lee found Ferdinand and Manchester United just scrambled the ball away for a corner.

With Lee returning after injury Newcastle had reverted to a flat back four. With Lee and Batty sitting deep in front of them, Cantona struggled to find space and Manchester United, whose need for the win was greater, were unable to build attacks.

They did not break from their half for 13 minutes, then a Ryan Giggs cross caused momentary uncertainty. It was a brief respite as Newcastle resumed the assault. Cantona survived a penalty appeal for handball, Gary Neville escaped another one for pushing Asprilla, and his brother, Philip, and Butt were both booked for fouling the Colombian.

Throughout Steve Bruce, deprived of his normal partner, Gary Pallister, through a recurrence of his back injury, manfully struggled to hold the fort.

Even he was unable to prevent Ferdinand being given another great chance on 22 minutes Asprilla was brought down and Philippe Albert crashed the free kick, from 25 yards, against the bar. From the rebound Asprilla nodded down to Ferdinand who, five yards out, volleyed over.

The interval helped Manchester United more than Newcastle. Within five minutes of the resumption Andy Cole, who had been given a warm reception on his return, had twice threatened. A minute later he was instrumental as the deadlock was broken.

The striker, persevering around the areas, found Philip Neville on the left, the teenager crossed perfectly to the far post where Cantona, unmarked, volleyed it.

The home side were stunned and took a while to recover, during which Cole rasped a shot across the goal, Butt volleyed over, and Philip Neville shot wide when a cross seemed certain to result in a second goal. Though Newcastle persevered, the belief seemed to have gone. It will take all of Keegan's inspirational qualities to revive it.