Newcastle dominated Manchester United on home turf on Sunday evening as they battered the Red Devils 2-0 thanks to two second half goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson.
Newcastle remained unchanged from the side that beat Nottingham Forest before the international break. Callum Wilson and Anthony Gordon were named on the bench as they looked to return to action following their respective injuries.
Manchester United made three changes to the side that toppled Fulham in the FA Cup. Harry Maguire, Jason Sancho were dropped to the bench and there was no place in the squad for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Replacing them were Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane and Antony.
Newcastle had the first main chance of the game with less than ten minutes on the clock. Trippier crossed the ball in deep, Isak headed it down to Longstaff who took one touch and shot towards goal but it was blocked. Weghorst went close for the visitors a few minutes later when Antony slipped him through but his first time effort didn’t trouble the keeper and hit the side netting. The hosts should have been one-nill up after 15minutes but Lady Luck wasn’t on their side on this occasion. Murphy crossed the ball into Isak who headed at goal, his initial effort was saved by De Gea, Willock fired the rebound at goal which hit the Spanish keeper who didn’t know much about it. The visitors didn’t register their first shot on target until the 33rd minute. Man Utd countered and Dalot fired at goal which forced Pope into a save. Longstaff almost fired home from outside the box inside the final ten minutes of the half but his effort just skimmed wide, De Gea was stranded. The visitors had another chance just moments later when Dalot flashed a ball across goal but Rashford couldn’t get on the end of it despite his best efforts. Willock missed a golden opportunity to put his side in the lead in the final five minutes of the half after Saint-Maximin twisted and turned up the pitch before squaring it to Willock who blazed over the bar leaving his teammates in shock. Half Time Newcastle United 0 Manchester United 0.
Ten minutes after the start of the second half, Schar had a pop at goal from around 30yards out after some encouragement from the home support, his effort was wide but not by much! Newcastle took the lead just after the hour mark and it was Willock who found the back of the net to take his tally to three goals for the season. Isak, Guimaraes and Saint-Maximin all combine to lay it off to Willock in the box and this time the young midfielder made no mistake in tucking the ball away. De Gea kept was forced into a smart save as the match approached the final ten minutes. Newcastle whipped in a corner that was met by the head of Joelinton but somehow the Spanish keeper managed to push it onto the bar. Martial shot wide inside the final ten minutes as the visitors pressed for an equaliser. Wilson wrapped things up for the hosts in the 88th minute. The Newcastle number nine rose highest following a corner and his powerful header left De Gea with no chance of stopping it. Despite five minutes added time being awarded, United (the proper team) hung in there for a season defining win. Full Time Newcastle United 2 Manchester United 0.
Sutty’s Full Time Thoughts: What a game! Justice for the cup final has been served and the Magpies thoroughly deserve their win. Everyone put a shift in and contributed to the victory. I’m so happy for Callum Wilson to get his goal, I’ll admit I’ve given him some stick over recent weeks and I hope this gives him a much needed confidence boost. Eddie Howe’s side are now in third place and European football next season is getting closer and closer. It’s also worth noting that Newcastle now have more top goals under Eddie Howe (73) than we got under Kenny Dalglish 771). We also haven’t scored two headed goals in the same game in-front of the Gallowgate since October 2010 when we drew 2-2 against Wigan. Another three points on Wednesday night please lads, that’s all we ask!
What’s Next? The Magpies visit West Ham United on Wednesday 5th April for a 8pm KO. Manchester United also host Brentford at Old Trafford that same night, KO also at 8pm.
Newcastle United Line Up: N Pope, K Trippier ©, S Botman, F Schar, D Burn, J Willock (82, E Anderson), S Longstaff, B Guimaraes, A Saint-Maximin (68, A Gordon), A Isak (80, C Wilson), J Murphy (68, Joelinton).
Newcastle United Bench: M Dubravka, J Lascelles, M Targett, J Manquillo, M Ritchie, E Anderson, Joelinton, A Gordon, C Wilson.
Manchester United Line Up: D de Gea, L Martinez (81, F Pellistri), R Varane (81, V Lindelof), D Dalot, L Shaw, B Fernandes ©, M Rashford, M Sabitzer, Antony (61, J Sancho), S McTominay (81, Fred), W Weghorst (61, A Martial)
Manchester United Bench: N Bishop, J Butland, V Lindelof, H Maguire, T Malacia, Fred, F Pellistri, A Martial, J Sancho.
Match Officials: Stuart Attwell (Referee), Lee Betts & Darren Cann (Assistant’s), Michael Salisbury (Fourth Official), Andy Madley (VAR), Harry Lennard (Assistant VAR).
@jsuttonwrites
02.04.2023
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