( CNN ) -- Manchester United 's defense of the English Premier League title was dealt another hammer blow Saturday as David Moyes ' slumping side were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle United at Old Trafford . It was the second home defeat for United in three days and their fifth of a sorry campaign , as many as they suffered all last season in winning their record 20th English championship . Trailing leaders Arsenal by 12 points before the lunchtime kick off , United remained in ninth place while Newcastle , winning at Old Trafford for the first time in 41 years , moved up to sixth place ahead of the afternoon program . Yohan Cabaye 's goal just after the hour mark sealed three points for the visitors , the highly-rated Frenchman scoring after a cut back from Moussa Sissoko . Missing the suspended Wayne Rooney , the home side created few opportunities although Patrice Evra hit the post with a header before the Newcastle breakthrough . Dutch striker Robin van Persie , back after injury , had a late effort ruled out for offside and substitute Wilfried Zaha shot narrowly wide , but Alan Pardew 's battlers held out comfortably enough . Moyes , who took over from Alex Ferguson in the summer , refused to accept that their title challenge was over at this stage of the season , but admitted his team were in a `` transitional period . '' `` I stand firm that we 'll be very close to it and I hope we 're in and around it when it comes to the end of the season , '' he told BT Sport . He also asked for patience from the United fans , so used to continuous success under the legendary Ferguson . `` I think they understand it 's the same players which were here last year as well . Obviously the manager 's changed , so we 'll work , we 'll try and improve and try and get better . '' United did look to be turning the corner with a 12-match unbeaten run ahead of Wednesday 's 1-0 defeat to Moyes ' former club Everton . Rooney , so missed Saturday , starred in a 5-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen which took them into the last 16 of the Champions League , but their EPL form has been inconsistent . Arsenal can open a 15-point gap over United if they beat Everton Sunday and could take heart from the results of their nearest challengers later Saturday . Chelsea slipped to a shock 3-2 defeat at struggling Stoke City with on-loan Liverpool winger Oussama Assaidi grabbing the odd goal in five winner in the final minute . Jose Mourinho 's side looked set for a point after Andre Schurrle completed a double either side of goals from Peter Crouch and Stephen Ireland , but Assaidi hit the winner with a sublime strike at the death . Manchester City also missed the chance to close up , held 1-1 at Southampton after taking a 10th-minute lead through Sergio Aguero . But Dani Osvaldo grabbed the equalizer for the Saints before halftime . Liverpool took advantage of the slip ups to go above Chelsea into second place on goal difference with a 4-1 home win over West Ham . The struggling Hammers did not help their cause by scoring two own goals and having captain Kevin Nolan sent off in the second half . The outstanding Luis Suarez scored his 14th goal of the season in the impressive win . Tottenham Hotspur secured their second away win in a week in the late game at Sunderland , emerging 2-1 winners to take close order in sixth .
Manchester United beaten 1-0 by Newcastle at Old Trafford . Yohan Cabaye goal on the hour mark seals victory . Successive league home defeats for reigning champions . TL;DR