A massive win and second-half masterclass from Newcastle United, who made it five wins on the spin in all competitions against a Man Utd side who suffered their annual battering at St James’ Park.
After Nottingham Forest’s defeat yesterday and Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Ipswich in today’s 2pm kick-off, there was plenty of incentive heading into the game in our push for Champions League football.
The win takes us up to fourth, back above Chelsea, Aston Villa and Man City and just a point behind Forest in third – all with a game in hand against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
We were outstanding in the second half and completely blew away a Man Utd side who could not cope with our energy, intensity and quality in attack. We forced mistakes, finished ruthlessly in the final third after a few first half misses and wanted it far more than a Red Devils side closer to relegation than the top four. How the mighty have fallen; especially when the away end seemed more interested in chanting about Alan Shearer than supporting their actual team…
In Eddie Howe’s absence, Jason Tindall was in the dugout and oversaw an unchanged side, but there was a boost from the bench as Anthony Gordon returned to the squad having sat out our last four.
It was a fairly even start where Murphy flashed wide and Pope stepped up at the other end, tipping over well after a brilliant one-two between Fernandes and Zirkzee.
Poor balls final third were letting us down, both from open play and set piece, but we found a moment of magic through Isak and Tonali, with the Italian smashing a volley into the far corner after arriving into the box from the Swede’s dinked pass.
Tonali almost made it two minutes later with a superb strike from range that flew just wide, yet we went into the break level as Man Utd equalised against the run of play. Joelinton lost it, Dalot broke with pace from their right and Garnacho finished in off the post to make it 1-1.
Attacking the Gallowgate in the second, we survived a Joelinton giveaway and Schar slip that allowed Zirkzee to get in behind, with the relentless Tonali thundering back to stop a dangerous attack.
That proved key as we soon made it 2-1 at the other end. Livramento’s was at the heart of it again as his burst of pace and low ball found Murphy, who squared for Barnes to tap in. We made it look simple but it was a well worked goal, featuring another Tino run, Murphy assist and Barnes with that poachers instinct in the box.
Another was needed to give us breathing space and Barnes delivered again, this time with a superb piece of determination and finishing as he capitalised on a Man Utd mistake, burst in between two defenders and fired into the top corner.
Three then became four on 77 minutes as Bayindir’s clearance was blocked by Joelinton, allowing Bruno to finish. 4-1, game well and truly over and Man Utd fans scuttling away quickly to catch their train back to London. “You’ve seen United now…”
A performance Howe will be proud of and one that featured so many superb displays. Livramento was sensational at left-back, Tonali was everywhere, Barnes clinical, Murphy creative and our back four rarely troubled as they won so many of their duels. Isak also looked sharper despite failing to score, with his assist for Tonali’s opener a moment of class.
Some of our play in the second half was a joy to watch, as was our energy and will to win as we make it five wins on the spin just at the right time to build more and more momentum in our push for Champions League football.
Next up, our game in hand at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday before a trip to top five rivals Aston Villa next Saturday.
Howay the lads!
Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento – Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Isak, Barnes.
Subs: Dubravka, Gordon*, Wilson*, Targett, Krafth*, Osula, Longstaff*, Miley*, Neave
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