Newcastle secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday night to cap 2024 with another outstanding performance.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton in the first 20 minutes gave the Magpies victory, while Manchester United struggled to find a meaningful response.
First half
The guests wasted no time in asserting their dominance and took the lead after just four minutes.
Bruno Guimaraes’ perfectly executed substitution gave Lewis Hall plenty of space on the left.
Hall hit a precise half-volley cross into the penalty area where Isak beat Harry Maguire and headed the ball into the ground and past the helpless Andre Onana.
GET INNNNNN! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/cTyqDHNiao
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 30, 2024
Newcastle’s early goal set the tone for the half and it wasn’t long before they doubled their lead.
In the 19th minute, Anthony Gordon weaved past Noussair Mazraoui on the left wing before firing in an inch-perfect cross.
Joelinton rose above Lisandro Martinez and fired a header past Onana to make it 2-0.
The Magpies almost extended their lead when Sandro Tonali hit the post from the edge of the penalty area and Isak found the back of the net again, but his second goal was disallowed for offside.
Manchester United, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm. Their first real chance fell to Rasmus Hojlund, who fired a left-footed shot wide of the goal in the 34th minute after beating the offside trap.
Joshua Zirkzee was substituted to cheers in the first half after an uninspiring performance, but the hosts’ frustration continued as Casemiro missed a golden chance to equalize just before half-time.
LET’S GO pic.twitter.com/DCnRW3okgs
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 30, 2024
Second half
Rúben Amorim, clearly unhappy with his team’s performance, made further changes during the break.
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were introduced in the hope of adding energy to Manchester United’s lackluster attack.
The home team’s best chance of the half came in the 60th minute when Diogo Dalot’s cross found Harry Maguire in the penalty area.
The defender’s diving header hit the post and Matthijs de Ligt’s follow-up shot was blocked by Lewis Hall.
Amorim brought Antony and Leny Yoro into the game towards the end of the game, but the changes failed to turn the tide.
Newcastle’s substitutes, including Harvey Barnes and Joseph Willock, brought fresh legs to see the game through.
The win moves Newcastle United to fifth in the Premier League table, just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Eddie Howe’s side will head into 2025 full of confidence and push for Champions League qualification.
For Manchester United, the defeat is the culmination of a disappointing year in which questions about the team’s bottle are mounting, regardless of who is in charge.
