Man Utd fall to Newcastle

Man Utd's three-match winning streak in the Premier League ended after losing 0-1 to Newcastle in round 14.

Newcastle's dominance was demonstrated by the fact that centre-back Fabian Schar had four shots by the 80th minute, more than the entire Man Utd team combined. The home side also wasted a series of chances, before midfielder Anthony Gordon scored the only goal early in the second half, from close range.

Anthony Gordon (No. 10) celebrates the only goal for Newcastle in the victory over Man Utd at St James Park, round 14 of the Premier League on the evening of December 2, 2023. Photo: PA

Newcastle dominated the first half, with 14 shots, seven more than the visitors. The hosts' most dangerous chance came when defender Kieran Trippier's free kick hit the crossbar in the 38th minute. He ran away to celebrate, thinking he had scored, but it fell on the goal line and bounced out.

The controversial incident came in the ninth minute, when defender Diogo Dalot cleared the ball with his right foot and hit his own left hand in the visitors' penalty area. However, referees Robert Jones and Michael Salisbury did not think Newcastle deserved a penalty.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana rushed out but could not catch the ball. Photo: Reuters — Goalkeeper Andre Onana rushed out but could not catch the ball. Photo: *Reuters*

Man Utd had just one notable chance in the first half, when Bruno Fernandes' left-footed pass found Alejandro Garnacho racing down the left side of the penalty area. The 19-year-old midfielder fired a low left-foot shot towards the near post, but it was cleared by goalkeeper Nick Pope.

After squandering chances in the first half, Newcastle finally opened the scoring in the 55th minute on the counter-attack. Defender Trippier crossed to the back post for Anthony Gordon to tap the ball into an empty net before the Man Utd defence could settle into position.

Newcastle only slowed down the pace of the game in the last 20 minutes, allowing the visitors to keep more possession in their own half. However, Man Utd's only dangerous chance at that time was a volley from defender Sergio Reguilon from outside the penalty area, which was cleared by Schar before the ball entered the net.

For the first time in half a century, Newcastle have beaten Man Utd in back-to-back games. Eddie Howe's team climbed to fifth, pushing the "Red Devils" down to seventh.

Newcastle's victory was considered "entirely deserved", according to the British newspaper Guardian . "Newcastle played with intention and tactics for 100 minutes, while Man Utd only caught up with the home team in 15 minutes", the newspaper wrote.

Hoang An

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