Matt Ritchie scored after 65 minutes in this game this afternoon against Manchester United to give Newcastle all 3 points at home for the first time since back on October 21st.
This was a great win by a well organized and hard-working side in which goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and center-back Florian Lejeune had excellent games.
Dubravka, in particular, had an excellent debut and he looks like a goalkeeper who can improve the Newcastle side.
With Huddersfield having won 4-1 at home to Bournemouth we started the game in 3rd bottom place (18th).
But moved up to 13th place with the 3 points – the first win at St.James’ Park in the league since October 21st when we also hammered Crystal Palace 1-0.
As we had hoped, Newcastle started very well against the strong Red Devils side, and the surprise (to us at least) was that Jonjo Shelvey had an excellent game for us.
Jonjo forced a good save early on from world-class goalkeeper De Gea.
Matt Ritchie – scored winning goal
New goalkeeper Martin Dubravka then turned a shot that was deflected from Jesse Lingard round his post and then he made another save from Anthony Martial.
Dubravka made a big difference at the back today and looks like an excellent acquisition for us, and if this lad keeps playing like this, we’ll sign him before the end of the season.
Newcastle should have had a penalty when Chris Smalling tripped Dwight Gayle in the corner of the penalty box, but amazingly referee Craig Pawson disallowed it – and we had Matt Ritchie in the side too!
Newcastle finally went ahead in the 65th minute when Shelvey put a free-kick into the box for the impressive Frenchman Florian Lejeune, who headed it down to Gayle.
The striker laid it off nicely for Ritchie, who hit the ball home past De Gea and he then went crazy.
But the Red Devils are a good time, and as expected they started to throw everything at Newcastle.
In the final 20 minutes or so Newcastle defended valiantly and well and yes – we had some luck with some of our blocks, but that’s what you get when every single player gives 100% for the team.
Newcastle held onto what was a vitally important 3 points for us.
And you saw this afternoon what it means being a fan of a (very) famous club where every player gave everything they had.
It was an excellent game for Newcastle, and finally, we got the right result – a win.
Our hats go off to every single Newcastle player.
And to Rafa of course who orchestrated the win.
Now we have a two-week break so I’ll be able to watch this game to my heart’s content – did I say Newcastle were just brilliant today?
There were some great performances today form our lads, and some who gave great displays were Martin Dubravka and Florian Lejeune who came into the defense for this game.
Mo Diame and Jonjo Shelvey were also excellent for us in central midfield.
A magnificent team display from our lads today and credit goes to them and to Rafa and the coaches – this is just exactly what we needed – we can still win tight games.
Howay The Bonnie Lads!!
Newcastle: Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Shelvey, Diame; Ritchie, Perez (Hayden, 90), Kenedy (Atsu, 84); Gayle (Joselu, 79).
Subs not used: Darlow, Manquillo, Merino, Murphy.
Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Young, Matic (McTominay, 77), Pogba (Carrick, 66), Martial, Lingard (Mata, 66), Sanchez, Lukaku.
Subs not used: Romero, Lindelof, Rojo, Shaw.
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)
Attendance: 52,309 – sell-out
11 comments so far
Jib
Feb 11, 2018 at 5:46 PM
Comment #1Howay the bonny lads indeed
Dennis Twice
Feb 11, 2018 at 5:47 PM
Comment #2Attack Toon attack, attack!
Rotonda heights
Feb 11, 2018 at 5:48 PM
Comment #3Munster
I am shaking your hand as I speak.
Great, great day.
Tsunki
Feb 11, 2018 at 5:51 PM
Comment #4When we scrape out of the bottom three at season end by one goal difference we will probably point at this game and what a MASSIVE win this was.
Keeper was top drawer, sorry for whoever it used to be in there ha ha but here’s the gloves, you’re on the team sheet, first up man utd welcome to NUFC and the pl son lol.
The Diame lookalike again proved immense some of his touches were superb and can’t be underestimated as to how unsettling it was for their midfield, the work in there was excellent hence mourinhisos subs.
Ritchie back to his trademark harrying he kept Yedlin honest today. Lascelles will be player of the season hardly it a foot wrong and is definitely captain if that defence, Dummett again too notch defender no wonder they were trying to get down our right so much he gave very little loose change out.
A measured and solid performance for shelvey today his best for a good long while in it from start to finish. Hard to pick a MoM out of that lot. I’m still thinking about it.
manxpie
Feb 11, 2018 at 5:56 PM
Comment #5So whens the dvd out? 🙂
If anyone can find or know a site that plays the full game would much appreciate it
I wonder if diame had some other shit in his life going on off the field that was effecting him because the difference is astonishing and i hope people can stop calling ritchie a champo player or not good enough for the prem
Lindisfarne
Feb 11, 2018 at 5:56 PM
Comment #6http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43025259
Every word is true.
JDdubai
Feb 11, 2018 at 5:58 PM
Comment #7Defensively the spine of the team were outstanding – gk, cbs, cm all superb, front 2 ran around a lot and chased.
Just makes it all the more frustrating that we didn’t get a top cf and 10 in the summer, would be top 8 if we had comfortably, defs ahead of Burnley Ffs.
Haway lads, got to back it up next week though.
Thought Kennedy was poor when in possession today, gave it away a lot but his fitness looks really poor, lad looked knackered after half an hour so maybe that’s why he lost it a lot second half.
Slimani up top next game, bring it on.
Munster Mag
Feb 11, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Comment #8Good man rotunda, we all win and lose together. Tsunki what beer can I buy you? ?
manxpie
Feb 11, 2018 at 6:03 PM
Comment #9Jonjo Shelvey v Man Utd
39/57 passes
26 forward passes
2 chances created
1 cross
2 shots
4 tackles
11 possession wins
11 possession wins by the lazy cant defend for his life so and so
fairscup
Feb 11, 2018 at 6:30 PM
Comment #10Tynemouth
As for Rafa & The New Animals
Before today I was beginning to wonder:
“Where Have All The Good Times Gone”
See big Mo kept up his cult hero status today
Bring on the South Coasters.
Geordie-john
Feb 11, 2018 at 6:46 PM
Comment #11What a fantastic performance ! Especially against MANCHECTER UNITED. If we can do that to them, Then we should be able to stand a good chance against any other team in the Premiership.
Well Done Lads ! I feel proud to be a Geordie again ! Well Done Rafa ! You have kept the belief when almost all around you had doubts and worries. Rafa and Team, I will have a glass tonight in your Honour.