6 talking points as Man Utd lose top four battle with Newcastle
Newcastle United moved above Manchester United in the race for a Champions League place with a priceless victory at St James' Park on Sunday.
The hosts began the game in much better fashion as they dominated the vast majority of the ball and the chances. Joe Willock should have twice given the Magpies the lead. The former Arsenal man eventually found the target as his second-half header put Newcastle ahead.
Callum Wilson clambered off the bench to score a second late on to secure what could be a pivotal win in the race for the top four come the end of the season. Here are the main talking points from St James' Park...
1. De Gea's stunning double save
David De Gea has been the saviour for Man Utd so often in the past and that once again looked to be the case at St James' Park. The hosts enjoyed a bright start and only an outstanding intervention from the Red Devils' stopper prevented them from taking the lead.
De Gea at first produced an excellent save to deny the in-form Alexander Isak's header following Jacob Murphy's cross. He then reacted to somehow halt Joe Willock's goal-bound effort on the rebound.
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In all, he produced four saves throughout the 90 minutes - and was unlucky to find himself on the losing side.
David de Gea was key for Man Utd vs Newcastle (Getty Images)Who was your man-of-the-match in Newcastle vs Man Utd? Share your suggestions in the comments below
2. Newcastle waste golden chances
Whilst De Gea certainly needed to be thanked for keeping the Red Devils in the game, Newcastle were certainly guilty of letting their visitors off the hook with a host of glaring misses before the break.
Sean Longstaff was only a matter of inches away from giving Newcastle the lead with a booming effort from distance. Willock then left his teammates aghast as he latched onto a centre from Allan Saint-Maximin but could only lash his shot high over the bar from just a handful of yards out.
3. Ten Hag's midfield experiment fails
Man Utd supporters are certainly no strangers to their side's slow starts this season. So often, the Red Devils have begun games at a ponderous pace, only to pick up momentum after the break.
As of yet, Erik ten Hag has not found a reason behind those stuttering starts to matches but it might be argued that it was actually down to the Dutchman in the North East. He elected to start Scott McTominay - the scorer of two goals against Spain during the international break - in a midfield three alongside Bruno Fernandes and Marcel Sabitzer - and it did not work.
Too often, the home side eased through the centre of the park to get right at the Red Devils' defence and United were ultimately outdone by their opponents.
4. Willock finally breaks deadlock
Following his two first-half misses, there will not have been a man in St James' Park more keen to open the scoresheet than Willock.
Following a comical 30 seconds as United consistently failed to clear the ball from their own half, Isak expertly slotted through Bruno Guimaraes before the Brazilian stood a beautiful cross up at the far post. Saint-Maximin nodded down to Willock who had the easy task of guiding his own header into an unguarded net.
It was only Willock's third Premier League goal of the season but it could prove priceless in the race for Champions League football.
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Joe Willock celebrates his winning goal against Newcastle (Getty Images)5. Magpies take advantage of Man Utd gamble
Heading into the final stages, Man Utd boss Ten Hag gambled by taking off both centre-backs Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. That proved to be the wrong decision as the Magpies took advantage from a set-piece.
Callum Wilson was the man to double the lead late on as he was given the freedom of St James' Park to nod home. Ten Hag needs to be applauded for being proactive in an effort to get something out of the game but the intelligence from Newcastle to make their clear advantage count was certainly more notable.
6. Newcastle in prime position
After two wins in their previous two matches, this game always felt key to Newcastle's hopes of finishing in the top four. Having won it, they are now in a prime position to secure a place in the Champions League next term.
Howe's troops now find themselves ahead of their opponents and one point clear of fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand. There is still plenty of football to be played between now and the end of the campaign but there is no doubt that Sunday's win over their direct rivals will do Newcastle's hopes of a Champions League place no harm at all.
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