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 its topflight 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 leveled 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 its 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.

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 center back Rio Ferdinand confronted former teammate Phil Neville after his strong challenge on Ronaldo.

Rooney was substituted in the 72nd after being booked for a late tackle on Mikel Arteta, unjustly according to Ferguson.

Ronaldo, still struggling to regain his form after undergoing ankle surgery, squandered a chance to restore United's lead in the 87th when the winger turned Nani's cross wide.

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.

West Brom paid for not taking its chances when Hull defender Kamil Zayatte volleyed Dean Marney's corner past Scott Carson in the 47th.

Geovanni doubled the advantage in the 62nd with a diving header, after releasing Marlon King and receiving the ball back again. On-loan striker King added a third four minutes later.

"The strikers will probably get all the mentions in the papers but I am absolutely ecstatic after a third clean sheet in the bounce," Hull manager Phil Brown said. "It is Champions League form, but that is what it is – form. That is temporary."

At the Stadium of Light, Kieran Richardson ended Sunderland's 28-year wait for a home win over Newcastle with a 75th-minute free kick.

"We've finally defeated Newcastle on home turf for the first time in 28 years and I thought it was an excellent game," Sunderland manager Roy Keane said. "It's always nice to beat your local rivals and everybody has been reminding us how long it has been. But we deserved it, we played some good stuff."

Sunderland went ahead in the 20th when Djibril Cisse lunged with his right foot to steer in Steed Malbranque's misdirected shot.

But the lead only lasted 10 minutes as Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi, unmarked at the far post, headed in Geremi's free kick.

Sunderland could face repercussions after their fans came onto the pitch to celebrate the victory.

At Ewood Park, Middlesbrough forward Tuncay Sanli's overhead kick found the net but was ruled offside, and teammate Jeremie Aliadiere volleyed against the crossbar in the first half.

Middlesbrough midfielder Alfonso Alves scored in the 74th when he danced the ball around Andre Ooijer before beating Blackburn goalkeeper Ross Turnbull.