ERIC CANTONA'S scoring run continued yesterday as Manchester United secured", their lead at the top of the Premiership. And now the pressure is firmly on the Newcastle manager, Kevin Keegan, as the title race hots up.

Cantona's goal gives Alex Ferguson's team a three point lead although they have played two games more.

Newcastle lost their lead at the top on goal difference after going down 2-0 to Arsenal at Highbury and were hoping Spurs might do them a favour.

And there was no denying the visitors were ready for this match as they dominated the game for long spells.

However, it was Cantona who made the difference - and not for the first time in recent weeks.

This was his fifth goal in successive games and all of them have been crucial.

And this was again an extraordinary strike from a player who has been ignored by French coach Aime Jacuet for this week's international against Belgium.

Cantona made the breakthrough after 50 minutes with a goal carved out of nothing. He advanced 40 yards as the Spurs' defence backed off and rifled a stunning left foot shot into keeper Ian Walker's left hand corner.

It was a moment to savour and United should have added a second with two minutes to go when Ryan Giggs was left clear only six yards from goal following a cross from substitute David Beckham.

However, he succeeded only in rattling the ball against the bar when he seemed he must score.

United manager Alex Ferguson kept faith with striker Andy Cole, even though he has scored only 10 goals all season, the last against Bolton on February 25th.

Cole was substituted again for the secondtime in a week - he was withdrawn against Arsenal last Wednesday - and replaced by Brian McClair.

Spurs included Gary Mabbutt, who had recovered from an ankle injury and 18 goal Chris Armstrong, who had a similar injury problem.

United looked ill at ease in the first half and a clearance from Roy Keane broke to David Howells. However, his shot was tipped over the top by Peter Schmeichel.

Ruel Fox swung in a corner and Teddy Sheringham managed to get in a powerful header only to see it go past the post.

United rallied and Lee Sharpe squandered a good opportunity when he shot over after Nicky Butt's effort had only been half cleared.

There was a moment of panic in the United defence when Steve Bruce failed to cut out a through ball from Fox. Armstrong was clear on goal but somehow Schmeichel managed to block his shot.

Cole, who worked hard throughout the game, was then given the glorious chance of ending his drought, only to shoot straight at keeper Ian Walker after Cantona and Giggs had been involved in the build up.

Giggs was involved in most of United's moves and curled a lovely left foot shot onto the top of the bar after being released by Butt.

The Welsh international again went close before half time after being set up by David May but he steered his shot wide of the post with keeper Walker out of posit ion.

Cantona's goal five minutes after the break calmed the nerves of the 50,000 fans packed inside Old Trafford but Spurs continued to make a fight of it.

It was his 15th goal of a season that started on October 1st after his eight month ban.

And he has suddenly hit a rich vein of scoring form just when United need it most in their attempt to win their second title in three seasons.