AP
Hull City's Brazilian midfielder Geovanni (right) is fouled by West Bromwich Albion's Borja Valero during their Premier League match at the Hawthorns stadium yesterday. Hull won 3-0.

LONDON (AP):

EVERTON HELD Manchester United to a 1-1 draw yesterday in another setback for the defending champions as they try to catch the Premier League leaders.

Hull's dazzling start to their top-flight debut continued with a 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion. The fourth straight league win put Hull level on 20 points at the top of the standings with Chelsea and Liverpool, who play each other today.

United, who have 15 points, were cruising after Darren Fletcher scored in the 22nd minute, but Marouane Fellaini levelled in the 63rd.

"We had good chances and played some fantastic football and we should have capitalised on that," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "At the end of the day, though, you cannot deny Everton the point."

Sunderland beat Newcastle 2-1 in the northeast derby, which saw Joey Barton return for the Magpies after serving a six-match ban for attacking a teammate during his Manchester City career.

Newcastle fans threw objects at Barton, forcing police to intervene, before the midfielder was brought on in the 85th.

Also, Benni McCarthy scored four minutes into second-half injury time to salvage Blackburn a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough.

Man United looked headed for their seventh consecutive victory in all competitions after Fletcher controlled a pass from Ryan Giggs, rounded Joleon Lescott and shot through goalkeeper Tim Howard's legs.

Nemanja Vidic could have extended the lead but his shot was cleared off the line by Leon Osman and Howard then denied both Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs.

Really pleased

Everton were lucky to have conceded just one goal in the first half and the Toffees found their way back into the match when Fellaini rose above Vidic to head a cross from former United defender Phil Neville past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

"We are really pleased with how the players finished, especially against Manchester United and the way they are playing," Everton manager David Moyes said. "A point against them at this moment is as good as a win as far as we are concerned."

Wayne Rooney, who scored his first career goal for Everton in 2002, missed chances to score his 100th against his former club.

Tempers flared after the break when United centre back Rio Ferdinand confronted former teammate Phil Neville after his strong challenge on Ronaldo.

"I don't think the referee protected our players enough," Ferguson said. "I don't know what the game is coming to with some of the tackles and the speed of the tackles."

Rooney was substituted in the 72nd after being booked for a late tackle on Mikel Arteta.

Hull were put under pressure throughout the first half by fellow league newcomer West Brom, with goalkeeper Boaz Myhill saving well from Borja Valero and Ishmael Miller, while Jonas Olsson headed against the crossbar.