Newcastle United vs Manchester United. Premier League.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance52,214.
Report and free match highlights as Newcastle moved above Manchester United and into fifth with a 1-0 Premier League win at St James' Park; Anthony Gordon scored the only goal of the game from Kieran Trippier's cross early in the second half
Saturday 2 December 2023 23:48, UK
Anthony Gordon’s goal gave Newcastle a deserved 1-0 win against Manchester United as they moved above their opponents in the Premier League table.
Gordon converted Kieran Trippier's low cross in the 55th minute to score the goal that reflected Newcastle's dominance. The energy and endeavour shown by Eddie Howe's side at St James' Park was in stark contrast to the dismal display of the away team.
Harry Maguire did deflect Antony's shot into the net late on but was in an offside position and an equaliser would have been undeserved. Erik ten Hag sees his team drop to seventh, while Newcastle also go above Tottenham in moving up to fifth.
Newcastle were utterly dominant throughout the first half with Andre Onana, under pressure following his calamitous display away to Galatasaray in midweek, looking nervy in the early exchanges. The goalkeeper settled by saving well from Miguel Almiron.
It was just the start of a flurry of opportunities for Newcastle. Maguire deflected Alexander Isak's shot just wide of the post, Jamal Lascelles headed over from close range, and then Almiron cut inside only to fire high and wide when well placed.
Trippier came closest to a breakthrough before half-time when his expertly struck free-kick hit the underside of Onana's bar. Maguire, a one-man resistance at times, managed to block Fabian Schar's shot to ensure the teams went in level at the break.
With 14 of the game's 16 shots in the first half, the only concern for Howe would have been that his threadbare squad might mean his side fading in the second half. Not a bit of it. The intensity only increased and Newcastle had their reward before the hour mark.
Trippier, dominant in his defensive duel against Alejandro Garnacho, turned provider. His low cross from the right found Gordon for a straightforward finish at the back post, having stolen a yard on Aaron Wan-Bissaka. St James' Park was bouncing. Ten Hag's team flat.
Manchester United hooked Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in an attempt to shift the momentum and Newcastle's narrow lead meant that the result remained in the balance. The home side also had to contend with goalkeeper Nick Pope going off injured.
There was a late scare for them when Antony's shot was deflected into the net but that deflection came off Maguire, who was stood in an offside position. It would have been an injustice given the gulf between the performances of the two teams.
"The players have responded again," Howe told TNT Sports, who saw his side concede a controversial equaliser against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. "What a response to that late goal in Paris. It would have been easy to feel sorry for ourselves."
Howe praised the attitude of match-winner Gordon. "From day one when he came here you could see the passion in his personality, the desire to achieve and be successful," he said.
"He has really worked at his game. He is one of those who every day wants to give more. Physically today he was so good. I am glad he is getting the goals now and getting the recognition he deserves."
The only disappointment for the Newcastle boss was the shoulder injury to Pope that could see him missing for a while. "It is a massive blow for us if Nick is going to be out for any length of time. I think he has dislocated his shoulder just diving."
"We had a tough first half," Ten Hag told TNT Sports. "We said at half-time, we are pleased to be at 0-0 and have to stay in the game. We had a good comeback in the last part of the game. That is the fight we have to show."
"In the end, we stayed in the game, had some good chances from [Sergio] Reguilon, thought we scored a goal which was just offside, so we could have drawn. But you have to say overall Newcastle deserved to win."
It is now 13 games without a win away to teams in the top eight at the time, an issue that Ten Hag was asked to address in his press conference afterwards. "I was waiting for that question," he told reporters.
"There are always issues, I know it is your job to see that. Or we have the away form, or we have the home form. Now we have this issue. We will also overcome this issue."
Newcastle are on the road for their next two Premier League games, first at Everton on Thursday, kick-off 7.30pm. It's then a trip to Tottenham on Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm - a game live on Sky Sports.
Manchester United are at home to Chelsea on Wednesday, kick-off 8.15pm, before hosting Bournemouth on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
