Manchester United [ Images ] wasted the chance to start the new year at the top of the Premier League when they were stunned 3-2 by strugglers Blackburn Rovers on Saturday to spoil manager Alex Ferguson's [ Images ] 70th birthday.

Blackburn, who started the day bottom of the table, had taken an unlikely 2-0 lead early in the second half thanks to a Yakubu double before the injury-ravaged champions drew level through two Dimitar Berbatov [ Images ] goals.

United had needed a point to ensure they would finish the year in top spot with leaders Manchester City [ Images ] not playing until Sunday but Grant Hanley's 80th-minute winner for Blackburn stopped them in their tracks.

Defeat leaves United with 45 points from 19 games, behind City on goal difference. Roberto Mancini's [ Images ] side can go three points clear with a victory at Sunderland.

Third-placed Tottenham Hotspur [ Images ] travel to Swansea City later on Saturday, with fourth-placed Chelsea [ Images ] hosting Aston Villa [ Images ] and sixth-placed Arsenal [ Images ] at home to Queens Park Rangers.

Drogba scores 150th Chelsea goal

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba [ Images ] notched his 150th goal for the club on Saturday with a penalty against Aston Villa in their Premier League game at Stamford Bridge [ Images ].

The 33-year-old Ivory Coast international joined Chelsea greats Peter Osgood and Roy Bentley on the mark with his 23rd-minute spot kick.

Only Frank Lampard [ Images ] (178), Kerry Dixon (193) and Bobby Tambling (202) have scored more goals for the London [ Images ] club.