Newcastle United leapfrogged Manchester United thanks to a largely dominant victory, albeit rewarded by a single goal, at St James’ Park to go fifth. 

Anthony Gordon was the hero in the 55th minute but after Newcastle had been in total control, an injury to goalkeeper Nick Pope led to a nervous finish for the home fans. 

How the match unfolded

Eddie Howe named an unchanged team from the one who valiantly drew 1-1 at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League.

Man Utd’s travel plans had suffered a poor start that morning when their flight to Newcastle was cancelled, forcing them to make the journey by coach. 

Erik ten Hag put Anthony Martial up front but the forward was largely anonymous as Newcastle bossed the opening half. 

A Man Utd defence with Luke Shaw alongside Harry Maguire at its centre endured a tough start, with Alexander Isak twice going close as Newcastle enjoyed eight shots on the Man Utd goal in the opening 20 minutes. 

During that time, Alejandro Garnacho did break away and force Nick Pope into a save with his feet but that was a rare foray for the away side.

The closest that Newcastle came to taking a deserved first-half lead was through Kieran Trippier on 39 minutes. His free-kick from distance hit the underside of the bar but bounced on the wrong side of the goalline and into the grateful arms of Andre Onana. 

The pattern of home domination continued in the second half and the deadlock was finally broken on 55 minutes and for the third time this season it was thanks to Gordon.

A neat passing move released Trippier down the right and he crossed to give Gordon a simple tap-in at the far post for the first goal conceded by Man Utd in 334 minutes of Premier League football. As St James’ Park erupted in relief, Gordon celebrated his sixth Premier League goal of the season and Trippier a league-high seventh assist. 

At that point every Newcastle outfield player had enjoyed a touch of the ball in the Man Utd box, while only two visitors had done so in Newcastle’s.

Erik ten Hag’s introduction of Rasmus Hojlund and Antony for Rashford and Martial on the hour did little to stem the Newcastle tide. Lewis Miley came close to his first senior goal but Aaron Wan-Bissaka did well to block the teenager’s goalbound shot in the six-yard box in the 79th minute.

From Man Utd’s first corner in the 82nd minute they almost equalised as Sergio Reguilon’s shot was brilliantly blocked by Fabian Schar. However, in diving for the ball, Pope hurt himself and had to go off, adding to Howe’s long list of injured players. 

Martin Dubravka came on and the change altered the momentum as Newcastle sat back and Man Utd started to dominate.   

Antony put the ball into the back of the net but it touched an offside Harry Maguire on the way in to deny the Brazilian an equaliser.

Back-to-back wins over Man Utd for the first time since 1972 send Newcastle into fifth with 26 points, two points and places above their opponents.

Newcastle report | Man Utd report

Match officials

Referee: Robert Jones. Assistants: Lee Betts, Timothy Wood. Fourth official: Graham Scott. VAR: Michael Salisbury. Assistant VAR: Ian Hussin.