Newcastle United delivered a dominant display to sweep aside Manchester United 4-1 at St James’ Park on Sunday ; securing a historic league double over the Red Devils for the first time since the 1930-31 season.
With manager Eddie Howe absent due to illness and hospitalized on Friday, assistants Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones stepped up – and the Magpies responded with a performance full of intent and precision.
Despite Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim’s decision to drop under-fire goalkeeper Andre Onana after his errors in the Europa League midweek clash against Lyon, stand-in Altay Bayındır endured a nightmare of his own. His 77th-minute blunder ; a misplaced pass straight to Joelinton, who set up Bruno Guimarães for Newcastle’s fourth – sealed a miserable night for the visitors.
Newcastle were in control from the first whistle. Alexander Isak’s lofted ball over the defence was met by Sandro Tonali, who finished calmly to put the hosts in front. Tonali almost doubled the lead with a long-range effort, while Bayındır was called into action to deny Isak shortly before United’s only bright moment.
Against the run of play, Alejandro Garnacho kept his cool to fire past Nick Pope in the 37th minute ; Manchester United’s first Premier League goal in three games.
But the hosts were far from rattled.
Harvey Barnes restored Newcastle’s lead early in the second half, sliding in Jacob Murphy’s low cross to make it 2-1. The former Leicester man struck again on the hour mark, punishing a slip by Noussair Mazraoui with a clinical finish. The rout was capped by Guimarães after Bayındır’s critical mistake.
Manchester United’s evening worsened with the injury of striker Joshua Zirkzee, who limped off with a suspected hamstring problem. Amorim’s side now sit 14th — below Everton on goal difference ; and only three points clear of the relegation zone following a 10th defeat in 21 league matches under the Portuguese boss.
In contrast, Newcastle have climbed to fourth in the Premier League table, just one point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest, and continue to strengthen their case for a return to Champions League football.
