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Manchester United are up to 57 points, the same as Newcastle United, who are back in the North East wondering exactly how they lost a game played at breakneck speed. The win was sealed with a sweet finish from substitute Rasmus Hejlund, his 18-yard right-footed shot going through the legs of Lewis Hall and the palm of Martin Dubravka.
Despite the win, Erik ten Hag’s side remain eighth on a significantly lower goal difference, so they may need to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final to secure European football.
The Ten Hag players then continued with a lap of appreciation, a convention in the last home game of the season and one the Dutchman insisted before the game he did not “feel” he would mark his farewell as manager. Who knows though as Sir Jim Ratcliffe assesses potential replacements before deciding his future after Saturday week’s cup final
On the chic seats, the newly crowned youngsters under 18 of the home team Premier League The national champions were guests of honor and saw Alexander Isaac fire wild after Kieran Trippier had denied Alejandro Garnacho.
Casemiro had a slight shock in the 1-0 loss here against Arsenal on Sunday but turned around an impressive 45 minutes that came after some initial numbness with the Brazilian spraying a simple pass to the opposition.
Newcastle attacked quickly, Anthony Gordon received the ball in the home area but Sofian Amrabat stuck his foot in to deal and save his team.
The culprit almost became the hero, however, when Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick was beaten by Martin Dubravka, Amrabat headed the ball into the crowded penalty area and Casemiro’s bicycle kick went just wide. The contest was open and fast, Ten Hag’s men prevailed. Garnacho ghosted in from the left and crossed, but Newcastle cleared. Scott McTominay stepped up but Dubravka saved his header. Amad Diallo unleashed a left-footed shot that Dubravka headed to the left.
The Ten Hag’s tactic was to get quick balls up the back, as Casemiro did against Kobi Mainoo, forcing a corner that Fernandez headed straight to Diallo, whose volley was blocked. A shot count of six-four inside the opening half-hour illustrated the fun of teams showing just one change from their previous games. Ten Hag left Højlund on the bench to rest him for Sunday’s trip to Brighton and the FA Cup final a week on Saturday.
So Fernandez, back from injury, played as a false nine in the absence of Høylund and during another quick transfer from his own area, he raced into the Newcastle penalty area, scooped the ball up to Garnacho, who turned behind and shot, Dubravka saved again .
Gordon proved he could do the same when running down the left wing and crossing, although the corner he claimed was easily defended by those in red.
Then came a stroke of finesse and beauty. Amrabat from the inside left channel connected with Diallo, who passed to Fernandez, whose contact was light at best. The ball found its way to a lurking, uncovered Mainoo and he beat Dubravka to the keeper’s right, with Ten Haag raising both arms in salute.
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There was no time for much celebration, however, as this was grass court basketball. In no time, Newcastle twice made inroads and Casemiro intervened each time. First, a superbly measured entry into the area was denied by Gordon, but Newcastle had a fair shout for a penalty when Amrabat got a boot on the striker’s ankle as he went to help Casemiro, but Robert Jones, the referee and, more puzzlingly, Varr did don’t pick this up. Then Dan Byrne’s header was cleared off the line by the makeshift centre-back.
A chip from Kieran Trippier, Newcastle’s one change from Saturday’s draw with Brighton, was headed home by the ever-present Casemiro, and Diallo’s slick one-two with Mainoo in the Newcastle area ended an invigorating half. At the start of the second half, Bruno Guimaraes scored, followed by Gordon and Elliott Anderson. They all missed, but now Gordon didn’t as those in red collapsed.
Andre Onana, as he did in Arsenal’s move that produced their winner here on Sunday, directed a misplaced clearance at Byrne, who headed it wide. Amrabat did not control well, Isaac stole the ball, passed to Jacob Murphy and his cross was headed in by Gordon.
It was a disaster for the hosts, who came close to falling behind seconds later. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was at fault this time, setting up Murphy. He passed to Gordon who broke through quickly, headed to Isaac and only Amrabat’s block deflected the ball onto the post and wide. Somehow, Diallo gave Ten Hag’s men a head start. Fernandez’s corner from the left was cleared by Murphy and the 21-year-old fired home a ferocious volley that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
After Miguel Almiron went a hair’s breadth from the boots to curl over Gordon with less than eight minutes remaining, in came Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez, plus Hoylund. The latter was to confirm a much-needed three points despite Hall’s late consolation.
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