Newcastle United end 2024 with monumental win at Old Trafford beating Man United 2-0
Eddie Howe's Newcastle United seem to be unstoppable at the moment. Not even the Old Trafford curse can stop them.
Newcastle fans had to wait a staggering four minutes for their first goal in this game after scoring within the first two minutes in the last two games.
Alexander Isak nodded home a sublime Lewis Hall cross to give the Magpies the lead setting up the side for an absolutely stunning 30 minutes of domination.
Newcastle went in at half-time 2-0 up thanks to a second goal from Joelinton on 19 minutes, which was almost a carbon copy of the first in terms of set-up.
Newcastle should have been four or five up by half time
The Magpies should have been out of sight by the time the half-time whistle blew with Alexander Isak fluffing yet another one-on-one chance. Considering he's in the conversation as being one of the best strikers in the world, he doesn't half panic when it's just him versus the goalkeeper.
Sandro Tonali also hit the post from point-blank range and Isak had another goal chalked off for offside.
Ruben Amorim's side were nowhere to be seen until he brought on Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes and he gave the hosts a bit of life as Newcastle took their foot off the gas.
Fabian Schar took the shine of the apple slightly
Newcastle started to get a bit sloppy towards the end of the first half and that continued into the second half as Man United threatened to get back into the game.
Eventually, their hope started to fade and so too did their performance and Newcastle were able to cruise to victory.
It wasn't all good news, though with Fabian Schar picking up a stupid yellow card, his fifth of the season, meaning he now misses Saturday's game against Tottenham. That means we're going to have a lopsided defence, making things a bit awkward.
Kieran Trippier also went down with an apparent hamstring injury but then came back on the pitch, looking fine, before Tino Livramento replaced him a couple of minutes later. So it remains to be seen what happens with him. If he's okay, he or Tino may take up the Fabian Schar role against Spurs and Arsenal.
Newcastle now end 2024 in fifth place in the Premier League, above Manchester City which is astounding in itself, but when you consider our start to the season it's absolutely amazing.
