Newcastle United wiped the ground with Manchester United on Monday Night time Soccer, scoring two beautiful targets in an outstanding opening interval at Outdated Trafford to take all three factors again to Tyneside.
The primary 25 minutes or so is among the finest soccer we have been fortunate sufficient to see the Magpies play in our lifetimes and the Purple Devils could not have complained in the event that they have been 4-0 down earlier than the interval.
Issues tapered off from there, sadly, however Ruben Amorim’s aspect by no means regarded really more likely to spark the kind of comeback that was commonplace beneath Alex Ferguson in the dead of night previous days of English soccer.
This was one other great victory for Eddie Howe and the gamers, who’ve now ended 2024 with 5 wins and arrange 2025 to be a really monumental 12 months for the soccer membership, FFP/PSR be damned.
On the midway level within the marketing campaign, we sit in fifth place, forward of Manchester Metropolis and simply three factors behind Chelsea, who have been being tipped as title contenders only a week or two in the past!
Here is how we rated everybody concerned on a well-known evening in Stretford, with a slew of 8s and 9s as soon as extra…
The Good
Lewis Corridor gained a decent battle for our Man of the Match award due to his very good help for the opener and two large blocks within the second half that helped us earn a fourth successive league clear sheet in a row. Our younger left-back was barely troubled by the damaging Amad Diallo all through the competition.
His major contender was Dan Burn, who was simply good once more within the coronary heart of the defence. He accomplished over twice the defensive actions of anybody else in black and white, gained 11/14 duels, and handed the ball with much-needed assuredness. He’ll be proper up there for Participant of the Season this 12 months.
Bruno Guimarães was taking the proverbial out of the opposition within the first half-hour and fully dominated the match. His most notable contributions have been the cross-field cross for Corridor to get a pre-assist for Isak’s opener and a beautiful lengthy by means of ball for the Swede that ought to have been buried.
Talking of our red-hot striker, Alexander Isak got here up trumps once more however will probably be kicking himself to have missed one more one-on-one. A few of his touches and dribbles have been otherworldly and it was noticeable how a lot reward the commentary workforce and analysts on Sky bestowed upon him.
Joelinton scores once more, because the tune goes. Our beast of a Brazilian regarded nicely up for the sport from the primary whistle and was a giant a part of our early domination. He did not give the hosts’ pedestrian midfield a minute to settle, handed the ball crisply, and drove ahead in possession at each alternative.
Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have been cracking recently, they usually each turned up once more right here. Gordon’s cross for Joelinton’s aim was a peach; he had Mazraoui on toast, and he ran himself into the bottom for the trigger. Tonali appeared to revel within the period of time he was given by Manchester United’s aged midfield. We’re undecided how he failed it make it 3-0 when hitting the put up, thoughts!
Whereas inferior to the duo listed above, Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schär put in a pair of strong shifts. Trippier provides a lot composure and quietness to our play, whereas Schär was enjoying brilliantly till a suicidal cross on the stroke of half-time that just about gifted the Purple Devils a route again into the sport. He additionally picked up a reserving that can see him miss our journey to Spurs on the weekend.
Martin Dúbravka has been a constructive fairly than a adverse since changing Nick Pope in aim and would possibly even maintain his place on this present kind when Pope comes again. His usefulness in possession is large for taking the stress off our defenders, however he is hardly been requested to do a lot goalkeeping since his return!
Pressed into motion across the hour mark after Trippier’s unlucky hamstring tweak, Tino Livramento did an excellent job of serving to to regular the ship throughout a tough interval for us. Tino accomplished 20/21 passes to assist the aspect regain a foothold and he simply by no means seems fazed by something, which is a superb attribute to have.
Eddie Howe has placed on a training masterclass over the previous couple of weeks. At a time when extra questions than ever have been being requested about his management, he is shut up the doubters by placing collectively a run of 5 successive wins with a whopping 16 targets scored and only one conceded. What a bloke.
And whereas we won’t fairly imagine it, Simon Hooper is showing on this part for the second successive time when refereeing a Newcastle match. He obtained just about every thing spot-on right this moment and did not present bias to both aspect, whereas all the time having a good stage of management over proceedings.
Serena Taylor/Newcastle United
The Unhealthy
Manchester United are a correct joke of a soccer membership lately and it’s simply beautiful to see. They nonetheless have a little bit of the previous aura about them when the group get into issues, however they have been as poor as something we have performed this season within the opening half an hour.
Jacob Murphy has been good not too long ago, however this was a haunting flashback of his earlier stage of efficiency. He was the one one of many lads to lose his particular person battle all through his time on the pitch, with Dalot getting the higher of him on far too many events.
Serena Taylor/Newcastle United
The Common
Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock got the job of approaching to offer recent legs and assist us see issues out they usually did it efficiently with out contributing something that notably caught the attention.
Serena Taylor/Newcastle United
The Breakdown
We’re getting used to doling out 8s and 9s each recreation!
The XI
Martin Dúbravka – 7
Kieran Trippier – 8 (off 58′)
Fabian Schär – 7
Dan Burn – 9
Lewis Corridor – 9 ⭐️
Bruno Guimarães (c) – 9
Sandro Tonali – 8
Joelinton – 9
Jacob Murphy – 5 (off 85′)
Alexander Isak – 9
Anthony Gordon – 8 (off 85′)
The Subs
Tino Livramento – 7 (on 58′)
Harvey Barnes – 6 (on 85′)
Joe Willock – 6 (on 85′)
The Gaffer
Eddie Howe – 9
The Opposition
Manchester United – 3
The Ref
Simon Hooper – 8
The Subsequent
In one other big recreation, we’ve got a visit to the virtually defender-less Tottenham this Saturday for a 12.30 p.m. (GMT) kick-off that will probably be proven reside on TNT.
Whereas we’re not at all counting our chickens, we’re once more favourites with the bookies heading to the house of one of many so-called ‘Huge Six’. What a time to be alive!
Howay the lads!
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