One of the sweetest wins you’ll ever see and a performance to be proud of as Newcastle United absolutely battered Man Utd at St James’ Park.
After a first half filled with missed chances, we got our reward at the Gallowgate with goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson.
2-0 flattered them. We played Erik ten Hag’s side off the park in every department. It was boys against men and the perfect response to last month’s cup final defeat, sending us above the Red Devils and in pole position in the race for Champions League football.
The win takes us third, a point clear of Spurs with a game in hand and well clear of Liverpool and Brighton; who both suffered disappointing results just yesterday. It’s our third victory on the spin and hands us a huge surge of momentum ahead of upcoming away games against West Ham, Brentford and Aston Villa.
Howe named an unchanged side, sticking by Allan Saint-Maximin, Jacob Murphy and the same midfield three, meaning Joelinton was forced to settle for a place on the bench following his return from a two-game ban.
As expected, Marcus Rashford started for the hosts despite his recent knock, with reported Toon target Scott McTominay coming into midfield in Casemiro’s absence.
We were by far the better side the first half and must’ve wondered how we went into the break level. Man Utd posed a threat on the counter in patches, with Sven Botman needed to make one huge interception before a flurry of chances came our way. Isak and Longstaff both had goal-bound efforts blocked – the latter also headed narrowly wide- De Gea made a big double save and Saint-Maximin really grew into the game, creating a host of openings after cutting inside. The biggest opportunity came Willock’s way, who latched onto ASM’s ball across the box but blazed over.
Ironically, ten Hag’s time-wasting Mancs were doing their best to slow the game down, taking an age over goal kicks, throw-ins and milking every foul, with Jason Tindall giving Antony an earful after the annoying Brazilian rolled off pitch from minimal contact. We looked the better side and had to believe we’d find the breakthrough ahead of a second half attacking the Gallowgate.
Thankfully, we did exactly that just after the hour mark, as a brilliant piece of link up play between Isak and Bruno ended with a floated cross to Saint-Maximin. I worried the Frenchman would attempt to score from the angle, but he headed across goal to give Willock a tap-in, sending St James’ Park wild and Newcastle into a well-deserved 1-0 lead. The scenes were magical; Willock’s celebration, limbs everywhere, Saint-Maximin’s show of appreciation to the Gallowgate end and big Dan Burn giving it large.
Two changes followed, seeing Gordon and Joelinton replace Saint-Maximin and Murphy. Both played key roles but a special mention must go to Murphy, who put in another lively display full of good movement, energy and decisiveness on the ball.
Ten minutes later it was so nearly 2-0, as Joelinton headed Trippier’s corner off the crossbar before Schar’s brave header almost crept in from the rebound. Isak then came off with 10 minute remaining and his replacement, Callum Wilson, made sure of all three points moments later, nodding home Trippier’s free-kick. A brilliant moment for him after a few tough months in front of goal and celebrations to remember inside St James’ Park, as Man Utd fans headed for the exit after an absolute battering.
Botman was a man mountain, mopping up everything with ease and dominating the anonymous Weghorst, Trippier was back to his best, Burn bullied Antony and Schar soldiered on superbly after a few heavy knocks. Longstaff and Murphy put in more quietly impressive displays, Saint-Maximin’s was electric, Isak oozed class and Bruno ran the show with a few moments of magic, but my man of the match was Joe Willock. He remains criminally underrated, delivering endless energy, a huge threat in transition, great work defensively and the goal that inspired us to victory.
What a performance. What a win. What a team. It’s April and we’re third, on 50 points and on course to qualify for the Champions League if we can keep this up. Next up, a trip to West Ham on Wednesday before we travel to Brentford next weekend. E-I-E-I-E-I-O!
Speechless. I haven’t enjoyed watching my team this much since 1994. It looks to me like we’re the genuine article – a top four team who’ll give anybody a tough game. Will we recover in time for Wednesday? Of course we will!
georgio(Quote)
and was McTominey playing? Don’t waste your money Mr Howe!
georgio(Quote)
M/U manager is a right *****,got it stuck up him
icedog(Quote)
I’m not saying Man Utd are a one man team but they definitely missed Casimero yesterday.
I’m not saying it would have been a different out come, but I think it would have been a tougher game. McTom, Sabitzer & fake Bruno offered nothing yesterday – that and our boys were outstanding!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It was interesting hearing Willock speak after the game that Howe had been running drills in training getting the midfielders making more runs into the box
46 touches in their box compared to 15 in ours.
They’ve also been working on mixing up set pieces coz Murphy was on a couple yesterday as well.
Love that like!!.
I know some don’t rate him but I think Murphy has been really good on that right flank & I think Howe has been right to stick with him.
He still needs upgrading, but his form means it’s not as urgent & we can take our time to get the player we really want.
Looking at our 11 & the bench yesterday, we are maybe 2 or 3 players away – I’m think Ritchie, Manq & Murphy – I’d go one further & upgrade Longstaff too. Not get rid of Longstaff but have a better midfielder in the first team.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I imagine there would have been a lot of eyes on that game yesterday – that was a big PL fixture, a top 4 battle which I imagine would have got the interest of a few players considering a move to Man Utd or Newcastle in the summer.
Oh course the way our team played yesterday would have players wanting to be part of that – BUT what player would not want to play in an atmosphere like that week in week out???.
Howe & the players recognise that & feed off the fans.
I watched the WHU game before ours & I know they are in a different position this season – but there was ZERO atmosphere for 90 mins.
Our home games set us apart.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Was there only me that thought we were robbed of a stonewall penalty yesterday as well???.
When Bruno kicked Schar in the head in the box – was that not a foul???.
It wasn’t even considered by the commentators – little surprised as GNev was commenting.
But they didn’t even say if VAR looked at it – not player seemed to appeal it either – only that there was a player down injured.
If that happened anywhere else on the pitch I think we get a freekick, so I don’t get how it wasn’t a penalty?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
It makes me laugh that after watching his side get absolutely battered yesterday – Paul Scholes decides to criticise the Newcastle players doing a ‘lap of honour’ after the game.
The fans stayed so the players showed their appreciation – its exactly how it should be.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fantastic game. I love watching our team now. They have everything that was missing from the Ashley era. Passion, desire, running, athleticism and teamwork. How many players contributed to Willock’s goal? 5 maybe 6 had a major involvement. Fantastic!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – you’re right mate, great team goal.
I’ve always had question marks over ASM in a Howe team but he looked pretty at home yesterday.
He’s not going to track back & help Burn out too often but he was playing a lot more with his head up yesterday looking to involve teammates rather that going on a run into dead ends.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ollys write-up and the comments here have really whetted my appetite for a relaxing watch on replay tonight as I was out all day yesterday celebrating my birthday .. it’s the first time I remember nufc winning on my birthday
I have seen the highlights and media follow up and a couple of things stick out .. eth and Shaw were classless in their interviews .. take the loss like adults and move on instead of taking swipes as nufc
Def pen (and red card ) when Fernandes booted schar in the face
Murphy’s wrist tapping and touch line group response to eth moaning were priceless
This team🤍🖤
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Happy belated birthday Go West 🥳
It’s mine on Friday so beat WH on Wednesday night & im claiming that one 🥳😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Happy birthday lads
Icedog(Quote)
Thanks sharpy and ice .. hope you’re getting a similar gift from nufc, sharpy🤞🤞
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Not a lot of love for Everton here if I recall so a quick poll
i) Everton win tonight to hurt spurs
ii) draw to keep Everton down there and hurt spurs a bit less ??
Id be happy with 0-0
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Aah man that was a very pleasant 2 hours on replay
The joys of knowing the result allowed me to choose who to watch and I chose isak and st maximan
I was so impressed with isak, putting aside his energy, his ability to control and instantly play in a ball is outstanding .. time after time in the game he did it.
Really enjoyed watching st maximan too and now he’s learned a team role it would be great if he can mix it up and blend cutting inside with a little bit of outside wing play. He was fab to watch
On we go to the hammers .. bring it
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Hi guys,
Are the issues in the comments section sorted? Been told to ask if you’re getting correct details now.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
All good for me and my comments actually appearing now .. they weren’t on Sunday
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Id like to check the opinion of this group on something.
Several here have mentioned concern for Eric after his posts have stopped in this forum recently.
there’s a pretty lively NUFC community in the US with several social media sites and chat channels
I’m happy to try and (discretely as I can) reach out to the nufc Chicago community to see if anyone knows him.
I’ve hesitated to suggest this previously as I wanted to respect his privacy but it may be that he would appreciate us checking in on him
It’s a long shot as I don’t know his details or real name but if others here feel it’s a good idea I’ll give it a shot as I’m a bit stuck on wether to do this
What do you all think ??
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Something I really liked about the ManU game was Gordon and Anderson when they came on. They looked immediately like Eddie Howe players, like NUFC players. Fitted in immediately. Wonderful.
GoWest – worth a try. Stuart from this blog met him once in Chicago and they went to a NUFC pub.
Stuart rarely comes on now but he’ll have Eric’s phone number.
georgio(Quote)
Eric IS a geordie.
georgio(Quote)
Eric’s a bonafide Geordie.
georgio(Quote)
Worth a try GoWest
Doubt he’d be offended
Olli why not ask Stuart to give him a bell
PremAndUp(Quote)
Gowest!mag
I know Erics name but the site won’t let me register
nutmag(Quote)
Sorry this site is crazy! Follow but dont’t post anymore.
Concerned about Eric got his real name from way back on Worky’s if it will help get Ollie to e-mail me
nutmag(Quote)
I have nutmags details now
kimtoon(Quote)
Happy belated birthday GoWest .
kimtoon(Quote)
I get whoever posts last
PremAndUp(Quote)
Go west, sure , try to contact Eric if you can mate. If it was me missing, I’d appreciate it (or my family would)…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Comments still not appearing.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well I keep my details below, but still issues with comments. Have to refresh several times, go to home page then back to thread and then I see my comment
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Same here mate
kimtoon(Quote)
Remind me gain how much Chelsea spent on players in the last two windows?? They are absolutely sh.ite … so are Liverpool. What a **** game
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Hey olly, I’ve dropped you a message with my email. Can you drop me and nutmag a message and I’ll reach out to the US toon community to see if anyone can reach him on our behalf
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
This is what I love about the people on this site! We may have the odd disagreement but above all, this camaraderie is fantastic .
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Hi mate. Where did you message me? Just trying to find it so I can get back to you with what you need. If you like, email me at [email protected]
Olly Hawkins(Quote)