Man Utd stunned by 10-man Newcastle as Michael Carrick's unbeaten run ends
William Osula climbed off the bench to score a stunning late winner for 10-man Newcastle and condemn Michael Carrick to his first defeat as Manchester United boss. Jacob Ramsey's red card presented a huge opportunity for United, who failed to take it at St James' Park.
Newcastle started the brighter as Kieran Trippier's cross grazed the post and Harvey Barnes curled narrowly wide before Bryan Mbeumo sent a simple rebound chance way over the bar after a brilliant run and shot from Matheus Cunha. The game then came to life in first-half stoppage time.
Ramsey was sent off for diving while trying to win a penalty from Senne Lammens before Anthony Gordon won and scored a spot-kick thanks to a foul by Bruno Fernandes. But the Manchester United captain then put a free-kick onto the head of Casemiro to make it 1-1 in the ninth minute of added time.
United didn't make the most of their numerical advantage and Gordon should have made it 2-1 to Newcastle with a clear chance from a corner. Leny Yoro then saw a powerful header saved by Aaron Ramsdale at the other end before the Newcastle goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to push over a dipping effort from Joshua Zirkzee.
Those saves proved crucial when Osula sprung up the pitch on the bench and curled in a beautiful finish in the 90th minute. Here are the talking points.
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1. Ramsey sent offThe game had been meandering along for 45 minutes when, suddenly, it sparked into life. Ramsey went down as Lammens came out to try and get to the ball as all eyes went to referee Peter Bankes. Initially, the St James' Park faithful were delighted, believing their midfielder had been fouled for a penalty.
But after seeming to consult the linesman, Bankes issued a second yellow card to Ramsey for simulation. He trudged off disconsolately as the replays showed what had happened: a potential grey area. Lammens didn't foul Ramsey, but it wasn't a 'traditional' dive either, with the Newcastle player perhaps half considering the punishment that could be coming his way. In the end, his gamble didn't pay off and the Magpies were left with 10 men.
Just as the stadium was getting ready for a difficult night, Gordon burst forward and drew a clumsy foul from Fernandes, who immediately looked guilty. The Newcastle No.10 picked himself up, kept his cool, and put his penalty straight down the middle to beat Lammens.
But there was no time to enjoy the moment, with Lewis Hall's similarly clumsy foul on Noussair Mazraoui allowing Fernandes the perfect opportunity to atone for his error. He did just that, whipping the perfect ball into the box for Casemiro to nod past Ramsdale and send United in at the break level.
The less said about his "6-7" celebration, the better.
A report from BBC Sport this morning said that Michael Carrick is desperate for a winger, with Amad Diallo the only one in the current squad and Cunha out of position on the left at present. United have wasted money on Antony and Jadon Sancho, while casting off Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
Their lack of options in wide areas was painfully obvious in the second half at St James' Park, with Carrick's side unable to make their advantage count. Time and time they looked ponderous in possession and failed to give any service to a frustrated Benjamin Sesko up front.
Newcastle's home form in the Premier League has been dreadful of late, with Aston Villa, Brentford and Everton all picking up victories in recent weeks. That has been hugely disappointing for a team which prides itself on maintaining a daunting atmosphere for away teams - and it has put pressure on Eddie Howe.
Howe will therefore be pleased with the fight shown by his side against an in-form United team, with Ramsey's red card giving them an uphill battle. The absence of Bruno Guimaraes has been felt keenly but Joelinton and Sandro Tonali were superb and combative in midfield.
Newcastle needed a hero. Enter William Osula - who has been a regular substitute but little more for Howe this season. His pace on the counter-attack and beautiful curling finish into the corner ignited the fans and left Carrick with a bitter taste in his mouth returning to his home city.
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