Joe Willock and Callum Wilson combined to propel Newcastle United past Manchester United into third place in the race for Champions League qualification.
Willock’s 65th-minute header, his third goal of the season, and a second from substitute Wilson two minutes from time handed Erik ten Hag’s side only their second defeat in 17 games in all competitions, and provided some retribution for February’s Carabao Cup final heartbreak at Wembley.
It was a deserved 2-0 victory for the Magpies, who had the better chances and could have gone ahead through Alexander Isak, Sean Longstaff, and Willock before breaking the deadlock in front of 52,268 fans.
They are now level on 50 points with United, one more than they had in the entire previous season, but have a significantly better goal difference with 11 games remaining.
Newcastle dominated the first half and carried that momentum into the second before scoring the game-winning goals. Guimaraes’ cross was headed back across the box by Saint-Maximin, who nodded in from close range, before Wilson headed home from Trippier’s free kick late on to secure all three points and move up to third place.
It’s avengement for Howe’s men after their defeat in the EFL Cup final, but it’s a woeful performance from the Red Devils, who continue their poor run away from home against the league’s best sides, dropping to fourth.
Newcastle United beat Manchester United in the Premier League for the first time since October 2019, after failing to win the previous six meetings (D2 L4).
Manchester United have gone three Premier League games without scoring for the seventh time, and for the first time since February 2020.
Newcastle United defeated Manchester United with both teams starting the day in the top five of the Premier League for only the second time, the other being Kevin Keegan’s famous 5-0 win at St. James’ Park in October 1996.
