Newcastle secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday night, rounding off 2024 with another superb performance.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton in the opening 20 minutes saw the Magpies to victory as Manchester United struggled to muster any meaningful response.
First half
The visitors wasted no time and confirmed their dominance, taking the lead just four minutes later.
A perfectly executed change of play by Bruno Guimaraes found Lewis Hall in acres of space on the left flank.
Hall accurately sent a half-volley into the penalty box, where Isak outran Harry Maguire and sent the ball into the ground and over the helpless Andre Onana with his head.
TAKE INNNNNN! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/cTyqDHNiao
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 30, 2024
An early Newcastle goal set the tone for the half, and they doubled their lead before long.
In the 19th minute, Anthony Gordon slipped past Noussair Mazraoui on the left wing before curling in an inch-perfect cross.
Joelinton rose above Lisandro Martinez and headed home Onana to make it 2-0.
The Magpies came close to extending their lead, with Sandro Tonali hitting the post from the edge of the box and Isak hitting the net again, only for his second goal to be disallowed by the offside.
Meanwhile, Manchester United struggled to find their rhythm. Their first real chance fell to Rasmus Hojlund, who left-footed the ball after tripping the offside trap in the 34th minute.
Joshua Zirkzee was substituted to cheers in the first half after a less-than-inspiring performance, but the hosts’ frustrations continued as Casemiro squandered a golden chance to make a comeback just before the break.
TO YOU pic.twitter.com/DCnRW3okgs
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 30, 2024
Second half
Rúben Amorim, clearly unhappy with his team’s performance, made more changes at the break.
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have been introduced, hoping to inject energy into Manchester United’s fading attack.
The hosts had the best chance in the half in the 60th minute, when Diogo Dalot found Harry Maguire in the penalty box on a cross.
A defensive header hit the post, and Matthijs de Ligt’s follow-up was blocked by Lewis Hall.
Amorim brought on Antony and Leny Yoro late in the game but the changes failed to turn the tide.
Newcastle’s substitutes, including Harvey Barnes and Joseph Willock, added fresh legs to see the game out.
This victory lifts Newcastle United to fifth place in the Premier League table, just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Eddie Howe’s side will go into 2025 full of confidence as they fight for Champions League qualification.
For Manchester United, the defeat caps off a disappointing year, with questions aplenty about the squad’s bottom line, regardless of who is in charge.
