Anthony Gordon’s sixth goal of the Premier League season capped off a famous eight days for Newcastle United, who beat Manchester United 1-0 at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
The Magpies, down 10 first team players, used the same lineup for a 4-1 win over Chelsea, 1-1 draw with PSG, and now a 1-0 defeat of Manchester United, leapfrogging the Red Devils on the table.
WATCH NEWCASTLE vs MANCHESTER UNITED FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Given all that and the acknowledgment that Man United also had Champions League duty this week, it was surprising that Manchester United was the team looking exhausted for much of the match.
The Red Devils were coming off three-straight Premier League wins but had drawn Galatasaray 3-3 at midweek in the Champions League. They rarely looked up for this match until the final 10 minutes, with Newcastle struggling for energy and Sofyan Amrabat helping Man Utd find a modicum of say in the match.
Newcastle moves into fifth for the moment on 26 points, two behind Aston Villa and seven off the top of the table. Man United now sits seventh on 24 points.
Magpies continue to prove mettle, and Man Utd is missing it
Not many teams in the world down 10 first team players would be expected to go win-draw-win against Chelsea, PSG, and Manchester United, but Eddie Howe’s Newcastle did just that this week.
Sven Botman, Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff, and Joe Willock have been joined by Javi Manquillo, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Mirphy and Matt Targett. And of course there’s Sandro Tonali’s suspension for gambling.
And this should be doubling damning for Man United, as Erik ten Hag’s men have been picking up wins despite mediocre performances — the 3-0 win over Everton aside.
Newcastle dominated the visitors. Look at the numbers: 58% possession, 22-8 in shot attempts, and a gaudy +2.29 xG advantage.
Erik ten Hag reaction
“We had a tough first half. We said at halftime, okay, we are pleased to be nil-nil. We had to stay in the game, which we didn’t but we had a good comeback. In the last part of the game was the fight we have to show.”
On lack of goals: “I will talk with my team. In the end we stayed in the game and had some good chances by Reguilon. We thought we scored a goal but just offside. We could’ve drawn but overall you’d say Newcastle deserved to win.”
Nick Pope injury update: Eddie Howe says likely dislocated shoulder
“It looks bad. It looks like a dislocation of his shoulder which he’s had done before. He had it operated on and came back successfully. I don’t know what the future holds for Nick, whether he needs an operation or not, but we’ll get it checked out and fingers crossed.”
What’s next?
Newcastle go to Everton on Thursday before visiting Tottenham on Sunday (Dec. 10) in what will ask even more of the Magpies.
Manchester United host Chelsea on Wednesday and Bournemouth on Saturday.
Newcastle vs Manchester United updates as they happened, final score: 1-0
Goal: Gordon (56')
Newcastle vs Manchester United player ratings
Newcastle vs Manchester United player ratings (fotmob.com)
Newcastle vs Manchester United player ratings (fotmob.com)
Nick Pope injury
England keeper Nick Pope flies to his right in a bid to block a shot.
He doesn’t need to get there because Fabian Schar makes a great block, but Pope’s done something to his upper body in landing and will have to come off.
It’s former Manchester United loanee Martin Dubravka who will come into the fold to try and see out the clean sheet.
More Man Utd subs: Amrabat, Reguilon on for Mainoo, Wan-Bissaka
Newcastle has very little experience available off the bench, with two goalkeepers and three academy products joined by Emil Krafth, Paul Dummett, and Matt Ritchie.
But Man Utd have options, and it’ll be Sergio Reguilon getting rare run at left back while Sofyan Amrabat enters for young Kobbie Mainoo.
Ten minutes plus stoppage remain at SJP.
Subs: Antony, Hojlund, replace Rashford, Martial
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford combined for 41 touches through 61 minutes. That’s not going to get it done, and Erik ten Hag will turn to two others in a bid to get level.
Rasmus Hojlund’s going to need service, though, and fellow sub Antony’s going to need to deliver a first decent Premier League performance in at least a month. Perhaps he can build on a solid showing versus Galatasaray over 90 minutes at midweek.
Anthony Gordon goal video: Trippier’s league-best seventh assist of season cues up Gordon’s sixth goal
An incredible stat from the broadcast team, who says that Kieran Trippier’s work on this one means every Newcastle field player has touched the ball in the Manchester United box.
It’s Anthony Gordon who gets the last touch before Newcastle gets a 1 under its logo on the scoreboard, and the ex-Everton man has six Premier League goals this season.
Trippier’s assist means he’s level with Pedro Neto for the most assists in the Premier League this season (7).
Newcastle vs Manchester United halftime analysis
Which of these teams is on the same lineup thrice in eight days?
Newcastle is all over Man United, and should be ahead as Alexander Isak rolled a close-range shot wide of the near post and Kieran Trippier belted a free kick off the bar with Andre Onana rooted to the spot.
The Magpies have danced around 60% possession for much of the match and are out-attempted the Red Devils 14-2. The xG reads 1.33-0.09 for Newcastle.
It’s not close performance-wise, but the score line is right there for a Man United team with more experienced legs on their bench.
How to watch Newcastle vs Manchester United live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET, Saturday (December 2)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream online via NBCSports.com
Newcastle United lineup
Unchanged. 💪#NEWMUN // #NUFC pic.twitter.com/y7JUO9fLhm
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 2, 2023
Manchester United lineup
The Reds make 4️⃣ changes for #NEWMUN ✊#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 2, 2023
Focus on Newcastle United, team news
The Magpies have defied science this week, taxing themselves over 180 minutes versus Chelsea and PSG. Only Sean Longstaff could return, and it’s important to note that players like Alexander Isak have been pressed into big minutes coming off of injuries themselves.
OUT: Harvey Barnes (foot), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Sven Botman (knee), Callum Wilson (thigh), Dan Burn (back), Matt Targett (thigh), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back), Javi Manquillo (groin), Joe Willock (achilles) | QUESTIONABLE: Sean Longstaff (ankle)
Focus on Manchester United, team news
Erik ten Hag has given Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof big minutes and continues to keep Raphael Varane on the bench.
OUT: Casemiro (ankle), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Christian Eriksen (knee), Tyrell Malacia (undisclosed), Jadon Sancho (disciplinary), Amad Diallo (knee), Jonny Evans (thigh), Mason Mount (calf)