Joe Willock’s first goal since November and a late Callum Wilson header moved Newcastle United into the UEFA Champions League spots on Sunday as they beat top-four rivals Manchester United 2-0.
Knowing that a win at St James’ Park would have leapfrogged the Magpies above the Red Devils and into third place, Newcastle seemed unlucky as they saw countless chances come and go.
But Willock’s close-range header finally put Eddie Howe’s side ahead before Wilson nodded in Kieran Trippier’s free-kick to secure a spectacular victory that moved them into the Champions League places.
Erik ten Haga’s men see their own top four hopes slip to fourth, just a point above Tottenham, although they have a game in hand over the Londoners.
In a lively opener, Wout Weghorst hit the side-netting before David de Gea brilliantly saved Alexander Isak’s header and then Willock’s effort from the rebound.
The visitors were on the ropes and forced to spend much of the first half defending, with Sean Longstaff sending a powerful drive whizzing past the upright before Willock fired over from close range.
Ten of The Hague’s men survived until the break and Fabian Schar fired home from distance after the break as Newcastle continued to press.
The Red Devils’ resistance was finally broken in the 65th minute, Allan Saint-Maximin nodding Bruno Guimaraes’ cross back to Willock, who headed in from close range to send the home fans into raptures.
Joelinton then saw De Gea’s close-range effort hit the crossbar from a corner, but Wilson sealed victory when he nodded home Trippier’s free-kick in the 88th minute to secure three valuable points for European football.
Newcastle player ratings (4-3-3)
GK – Nick Pope – 6/10 – He had basically 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 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.
Man Utd player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK – David de Gea – 8/10 – Made a few fantastic saves. The only Man Utd player who did himself justice.
RB – Diogo Dalot – 4/10 – Struggled to contain ASM for much of the game.
CB – Raphael Varane – 5/10 – Had his hands full with Isak.
CB – Lisandro Martinez – 5/10 – Made a few vital blocks but ultimately had way too much to do today thanks to the porous midfield in front of him.
LB – Luke Shaw – 4/10 – Clumsy at times.
CM – Marcel Sabitzer – 1/10 – May as well have not been on the pitch.
CM – Scott McTominay – 1/10 – In one word: bad. In two words: very bad. In three words: very, very bad.
RM – Antony – 4/10 – Tried but was usually out-muscled by Burn.
AM – Bruno Fernandes – 3/10 – Didn’t do anywhere near enough.
LM – Marcus Rashford – 4/10 – Quiet outing for the forward. He didn’t quite look back to full match fitness.
ST – Wout Weghorst – 3/10 – Missed a good chance and generally just doesn’t look capable of ever scoring a goal.
SUB – Jadon Sancho – 4/10 – Didn’t do much.
SUB – Anthony Martial – N/A.
SUB – Victor Lindelof – N/A.
SUB – Fred- N/A.
SUB – Facundo Pellistri – N/A.
Player of the match – Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)
Clicks on ADS 👇👇
.