Newcastle United continued their impressive Premier League run with a commanding 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. This marked their fourth consecutive clean sheet in the league, a streak that has propelled them into fifth place in the standings.
The Magpies set the tone for the match early, scoring twice within the opening 20 minutes. Alexander Isak struck first, converting a close-range header from Lewis Hall’s precise cross in the fourth minute. Just 15 minutes later, Anthony Gordon turned provider, delivering a well-placed ball for Joelinton, who doubled Newcastle’s advantage with another header.
The hosts struggled to muster a meaningful response in the first half, appearing disjointed in attack and lackluster in defense. A slightly improved second-half performance followed the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho, with Harry Maguire hitting the post and Yoro missing a golden opportunity from eight yards out. However, Newcastle remained disciplined, opting to prioritize defensive solidity over offensive risk in the latter stages of the match.
Statistically, Newcastle outperformed Manchester United in expected goals (xG) 1.96 to 0.87, further underscoring their dominance. The victory solidifies Eddie Howe's side as serious contenders in the league, with only Liverpool (23 points) and Nottingham Forest (21 points) surpassing Newcastle's tally of 20 points since the start of November.
For Manchester United, December has been a month to forget. The Red Devils suffered six defeats across all competitions, equaling their worst monthly record since April 1926 and September 1930. They also conceded 18 goals in December, a figure not seen since March 1964. Since Rúben Amorim’s arrival on November 24, Manchester United have endured six losses, a tally only exceeded by Southampton (7) among Premier League teams.
Newcastle’s resurgence sees them head into their next fixture against Tottenham on January 4 with confidence, while Manchester United, languishing in 14th place, face a daunting clash against Liverpool on January 5. With their struggles evident, the Red Devils will need a significant turnaround to recover from their worst December in decades.
The result further cements Newcastle’s status as one of the most consistent teams in the league, while Manchester United's recent form continues to raise questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.
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