Last minute heartbreak for reds
A goal in the final minute consigned Manchester United to their first defeat under Michael Carrick. They looked set to go home with at least a point after a first-half equaliser from Casemiro. They were were lacking the necessary drive for much of the game and failed to extend their advantage in third.
It was a big win for the home side though who looked more energetic throughout. They found themselves down to ten men and ahead just before the break in a crazy few minutes. It gives them some hope for European qualification again.
Michael Carrick made one change from the side who beat Crystal Palace on Sunday. Diogo Dalot was replaced at fullback by Noussair Mazraoui. Both Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw recovered from the illness they had at the weekend. Dalot was joined on the bench was taken by Goodwill Kukonki.
Eddie Howe made two changes from their loss to Everton at the weekend. Aaron Ramsdale started in goal ahead of Nick Pope. Harvey Barnes also came in for Nick Woltemade who was down with illness.
The home side burst out of the blocks and were almost ahead with in the first few minutes. Kieran Trippier dinked in a cross into the area that was left by both Leny Yoro and Senne Lammens. It looped over both and came back off the post. Anthony Elanga then met a dropping ball with a volley at the back post. He put it wide though.
The enthusiasm on display by Newcastle almost cost them after 18 minutes. Harry Maguire had been fortunate to not be booked for a loose arm on Anthony Gordon. The free kick was launched down towards the United end where Dan Burn swung his arm at least once in the face of Luke Shaw. Nothing was given though.
A flurry of bookings took place five minutes before the break as neither side wanted to be the one to crack first. That almost came to the away side twice in the space of two minutes. Firstly, Aaron Ramsdale did brilliantly to tip away a curling effort from Kobee Mainoo. Bryan Mbeumo then blazed over the bar after the home keeper spilled a shot from Matheus Cunha.
Just on the 45 minutes, Newcastle were down to ten men. Gordon received a long ball and played into the path of Jacob Ramsey. He went over the body of the advancing Lammens and got a second yellow card for his effort.
Two minutes later and they did win a penalty to go in front. Gordon burst into the box and went down under contact from Bruno Fernandes. The winger stepped up to slot home past Lammens for the lead.
It was not the end of the drama before the break though. In the seventh minute, Lewis Hall brought down Noussair Mazraoui out wide. Fernandes curled the free kick to the back post and Casemiro headed home into the bottom corner. The home side raged about the time played, but the referee wave them away.
It was a much scrappier second-half as the ten-men aimed to frustrate. Mbeumo was presented with a decent chance on the hour after a neat pass from Fernandes. He was crowded out before he could get a shot away. Gordon then put a volley wide from a corner at the other end when he should have done better.
Utd should have gone in front with 15 minutes to go. A corner was only half cleared before it was picked up by Fernandes. He floated the ball back into the area where it was met by the head of Yoro. He headed straight at Ramsdale who did well to save it though.
The away side were looking the more dangerous as the time approached the end. Benjamin Sesko and Manuel Ugarte had efforts blocked in quick succession before Ramsdale produced an excellent save to tip a drive from Joshua Zirkzee over the bar.
It was therefore a surprise when Newcastle landed a winner on 90 minutes. Substitute William Osula picked up a long pass from Trippier and just about managed to keep it in play. He cut inside before beating the attempted challenge from Tyrell Malacia too easily. He used Maguire as a shield before curling the ball into the far corner.
Frustration on the final whistle as a win could have seen us stake a firm claim in the Champions League places. No action this weekend due to the FA cup but a huge game against Aston Villa at home next Sunday. Once Newcastle are finished with their parades, they must get ready for a week that includes Man City in the FA Cup, Barcelona in the Champions League and away to Chelsea next weekend.
Newcastle United: Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, Jacob Ramsey, Sandro Tonali (Sven Botman 90+5), Joelinton, Anthony Elanga (Jacob Murphy 85), Anthony Gordon (William Osula 85), Harvey Barnes (Joe Willock 46).
Subs not used: Nick Pope, Yoanne Wissa, Alex Murphy, Leo Shahar, Sean Neave.
Booked: Jacob Ramsey (26), Joelinton (39), Trippier (80)
Sent off: Jacob Ramsey (45)
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Noussair Mazraoui (Tyrell Malacia 85), Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw (Diogo Dalot 61), Carlos Casemiro (Manuel Ugarte 61), Kobee Mainoo (Amad Diallo 77), Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo (Joshua Zirkzee 77), Benjamin Sesko.
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Ayden Heaven, Tyler Fletcher, Goodwill Kukonki
Booked: Bryan Mbeumo (37), Luke Shaw (39), Noussair Mazraoui (64)
Sent off: None.
Referee: Peter Bankes
Attendance: 52,184
Simply Red Man of the Match: Sandro Tonali
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