Here we are again then.
I felt a bit meh in the lead up to this one I have to admit. Saturday’s poor showing against Everton seemed to be a massive nail in the coffin of European hopes, as well as a pretty effective mood stifler.
News of an outbreak of the lurgy in the squad didn’t instil any further confidence, and nor did a glance at the opposition.
Man Utd were once the most anticipated and, indeed, feared name on the fixture list. In recent seasons, they have become a shell of their former dominant self, with repeated reincarnations of hilariously average teams filled with overpriced players seeming to grow increasingly worse by the year.
Having ended the Amorim experiment though, we found a revitalised side on a seriously impressive run of form without any cup-related distractions heading to Newcastle.
The fact that this has been overseen by the latest in a distinguished line of Tynesiders to do great things for Man Utd is unlikely to deter their consistent refrains about “Sad Geordie B-s” or indeed, put them off going in for Elliot Anderson with the ridiculous transfer budget they’ll have despite being in £1.3 billion of debt.
I was honestly struggling to get motivated for this one, with the thought in mind that tonight just needed to be navigated somehow, ahead of chucking the kitchen sink at the other half of Manchester on Saturday. Within 30 seconds of the kick off, the assorted cockneys, middle Englanders and others in the away end had sure enough started singing “Cheer up Alan Shearer” and I remembered how much I really wanted to beat them.
That chant is a hark back to the 90s and this was reflected in the refereeing performance of Peter Bankes, who proceeded to give Man Utd everything, as was customary in those days. This was necessary as we were all over them in stark contrast to Saturday’s pedestrian effort against Everton. Chances were created and people were at least having a go, although the accuracy was frustrating. Gordon, Elanga and Barnes all got in positions with time to pick their shot but fired wide from good positions. Then Joelinton steamed at the defence with the crowd urging him to pull the trigger, only to loop it horrifyingly over the bar.
I feel like a problem with our squad these days was highlighted in the most positive fashion here. Joelinton was magnificent, bossing the midfield, launching some fine attacks and bullying those around him with poor enough moral fibre to drag on that dirty red shirt. He was his brilliant, powerhouse self and man of the match in my opinion. The fact that Joe’s body seems to be failing to the extent that these performances are becoming rarities, interspersed with absences and struggles with injuries, is hurting the overall season as there’s just no one else can dominate a game like this. The hope has to be he hits a purple patch and stays well for the rest of the season, or at least through the crucial run preceding the international break, before an actual rest may be feasible.
Anyway, Big Joe wasn’t the only one to treat the official Puma Premier League ball as if it was a penny floater. At the other end Cunha’s power shot was well saved by Ramsdale, but broke to Mbuemo, six yards out with a near open goal. He ballooned it over hilariously to great relief, with half-time beckoning it would have been a travesty if the toothless visitors had gone in ahead.
The travesty was coming though, don’t worry. Bankes had been whimsically distributing yellow cards as Man U players toppled in any contact situation, with Cunha and Mazraoui the worst culprits. Jacob Ramsey had been on the end of one such call and it was to prove catastrophic. Gordon played the ball into space in front of Ramsey and Lammens came flying out of his goal to just get there first. Ramsey’s momentum took him past the keeper, where replays show a clear stumble before falling full length, then getting up without any claim for a penalty. It looks as though the ref was taking no action until the rat-faced workie ticket who doesn’t deserve the same moniker as our magnificent number 39 came and got in his face. Out came the yellow, Ramsey was off and it felt like 10 vs 12.
This made it surprising then from the restart when Bankes was forced to give Newcastle an immediate penalty. I slated Anthony Gordon for his poor performance and culpability for the decisive goal against Everton, so only fair to give him the immense credit deserved for this goal. Gordon hared back to win the ball in midfield before setting off on a mazy run with two Man U players tracking him. As he entered the box Fernandes took his legs out and Bankes had no choice. He did hesitate, but I can only assume, this was while he realised the VAR would inevitably give it if he continued to cheat. Gordon’s pen was actually a bit straight and weak, but I’d guess he’d anticipated Lammens diving out of the way. After all the drama surely we were going to take a lead into the break?
The next decision might have wound me up the most. I understand that the three minutes added time had to be extended due to the penalty and subsequent celebrations, but the game was allowed to continue until we were in to the tenth added on. Lewis Hall put a firm but fair tackle in and yet again Bankes bought a dive. Fernandes’ free kick was glanced in by Casemeiro and the ref allowed the half to finish now Man Utd had scored.
The simmering sense of injustice absolutely made this game. Howe got the tactical shift spot on, with Barnes sacrificed so Willock could reinforce the midfield, leaving Gordon and Elanga up front as a promising counter attack. This shape never looked like it was 10 v 11.
Entering the final 15 it was natural that the man advantage showed and United started to tire a bit. Aaron Ramsdale had been recalled following Pope’s howler vs the Ev and he absolutely stepped up to earn his place. Another Fernandes delivery was met by Yoro but Ramsdale got down brilliantly to block his point blank header. This save was terrific, but it was bettered moments later as Zirkzee was allowed space to set and fire a vicious shot that was heading for the top corner, only for a magnificent full length dive from the Newcastle keeper to acrobatically palm it away. The lad kept us in the game and has rightly featured in player of the match conversations, especially given what followed.
I think we were all begrudgingly accepting of the point and the improved performance as added time beckoned. Howe had made a last throw of the dice, relieving Gordon and Elanga after tiring shifts by chucking on Jacob Murphy and Will Osula. Well…
I had a conversation with my mates about what the best goal is we’ve scored this season, with a few decent efforts but no stand out. That particular contest established an outright winner tonight as everyone present (who hadn’t ambled off to “beat the rush”) witnessed a classic moment.
Osula won the ball in midfield and played it back to Trippier (who was great by the way). He played a fine long ball up the wing for the Dane to run onto, he just about kept it in and just about kept his balance as he pelted after it at full tilt. With the attention of two defenders in front of him, Osula sent Malacia for a pie and curled a wonderful shot around Maguire into the far corner. A 90th minute Gallowgate end winner vs Man Utd. Osula take a bow, boot the grime of this league in the crotch.
Given our recent habit of switching off and the way first half injury time went, there was a tangible sense of fear as to how we would navigate five whole minutes, but we did. Some standout performances from Burn, Trippier, Tonali and the aforementioned Big Joe as well as Ramsdale’s heroics. Just the tonic the place needed, both fans and team will feel a lot better heading into Saturday.
The hope must be that Man City’s numerous other distractions take their eye off the ball slightly at the weekend and this level of performance is maintained. I’d love to see that, as the thought of a pair of memorable Manchester wins in a matter of days could be huge for the season.
Newcastle United 2 Manchester United 1 – Wednesday 4 March 2026 8.15pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Ramsey red card 45+1, Gordon 45+6 pen, Osula 90
Man U:
Casemiro 45+9
Possession was Newcastle 45% Man U 55%
Total shots were Newcastle 12 Man U 14
Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Man U 5
Corners were Newcastle 2 Man U 4
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 23 Man U 31
Newcastle team v Man U:
Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali (Botman 97), Joelinton, Ramsey, Elanga (Jacob Murphy 84), Barnes (Willock 46), Gordon (Osula 85)
Unused subs:
Pope, Wissa, Leo Shahar, Alex Murphy, Sean Neave
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