Goals from Joe Willock and substitute Callum Wilson earned sweet revenge for Newcastle United over Manchester United at St. James’ Park.
Beaten by the Red Devils in the Carabao Cup final, Newcastle got one over on Erik ten Hag’s side on Sunday evening to climb up to third in the Premier League table.
The first opening of the game would fall to Sean Longstaff, who was unable to get any purchase on a half-volleyed effort from the edge of the six-yard after being found by a knock-down header from Alexander Isak. Lisandro Martinez was on hand to block the midfielder’s rather tame effort before it reached David de Gea.
Man Utd would come close to opening the scoring next through Wout Weghorst. The goal-shy striker was played through on the right of the penalty area by Antony but was unable to find anywhere other than the side-netting with his resulting strike on goal.
The game continued to and fro thereafter, with Newcastle going up the other end five minutes later to force David de Gea into a wonderful double save. First, the Spanish goalkeeper was on hand to save an Isak header, before denying Joe Willock’s follow-up effort by being at the right place at the right time.
Newcastle would start to turn the screw after that double save, with Longstaff coming close once again in the 38th minute, firing a thunderous strike from fully 25-yards out just wide of the post. Then Joe Willock would balloon over the crossbar when he really should have hit the target.
The home side continued to press forward with real intent in the second half, and they’d finally get their just rewards in the 65th minute through Willock. After Bruno Guimaraes chipped the ball to Allan Saint-Maximin, the French winger headed back across the goal to Willock, who made no mistake from three yards out.
It was so nearly 2-0 in the 75th minute when Joelinton was denied what looked like a certain goal by a stunning save from De Gea, with the goalkeeper tipping his head onto the crossbar from point-blank range.
And then in the 87th minute, it was 2-0.
The second goal would come from substitute Wilson, who rose highest to head home a delightful Kieran Trippier set piece from the right flank.
Newcastle player ratings (4-3-3)
GK – Nick Pope – 6/10 – He had nothing to do.
RB – Kieran Trippier – 7/10 – His brilliant cross led to the second goal.
CB – Fabian Schar – 6/10 – Weghorst caused him precisely zero problems.
CB – Sven Botman – 6/10 – Tidy on the ball, and didn’t have much to do defensively.
LB – Dan Burn – 6/10 – Dealt with Antony with relative ease.
CM – Sean Longstaff – 7/10 – So lively in the middle of the park.
CM – Bruno Guimaraes – 9/10 – So tidy on the ball, and brilliantly aggressive off it too. Top performance from a very good footballer.
CM – Joe Willock – 8/10 – Scored the opener and deserved it. Ran himself into the ground on the day.
RW – Jacob Murphy – 6/10 – Worked hard up and down the right flank.
ST – Alexander Isak – 7/10 – Caused the Man Utd backline a host of problems with his runs in behind.
LW – Allan Saint-Maximin – 7/10 – His clever header back across the goal led to the opener. Caused problems throughout with his dynamic dribbling.
SUB – Joelinton – 6/10 – Denied a goal by a brilliant save.
SUB – Anthony Gordon – N/A.
SUB – Callum Wilson – 7/10 – Came on and scored. Can’t ask for more than that.
SUB – Elliot Anderson – N/A.
Leave a Reply