Interesting to read through these BBC Sport ‘neutrals’ comments, following on from Newcastle United winning 2-1 at home to Manchester United.
A superb effort from Eddie Howe and his players.
Newcastle United up against appalling match officials who did everything they could to bring about a Man U victory.
Even with ten men for most of the match though, United still the better team and fully deserving of the home win.
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, some from Man U fans, plus one or two Newcastle United supporters also contributing:
‘Hats off to Newcastle in beating Man Utd in this 10 against 12 encounter.’
‘Man Utd in recent weeks have reminded me of their time under Fergie. Not because they have been good but because they have been very lucky. Tonight was another example. V poor decision for the yellow for Ramsey & way too much added time. Newcastle were all over them. All reminiscent of when refs used to favour them back then.’
‘You left out the two VAR muppets 10 v14’
‘As usual the big decisions again went Man U’s way.’
‘Suggestung the ref helped Man Utd is a bit strange, as it shoul have been 9 v 11, Ramsey sending off for diving was soft, but the ref completely ignored Joelintins dissent when he clapped after being booked. Enjoy your champs final win from 12th’
‘I have to admit, I thought Bruno Fernandes was Man Utd’s Captain??
Yet in the last two games, Harry Maguire has spoken to the referee demanding a penalty AND waving the ‘imaginary’ card. Both occasions the referee has followed his direct order!
I thought only Captains could speak to the referee & if YOU did ‘imaginary’ card action, YOU got given a yellow card?
Special rules for Manchester clubs?’
‘In modern football speak Murphy went to ground. It’s a term that demonstrates and legitimises so much diving. A poor example for a sending off but he gave the ref the decision to make (there’s another one). There was not the usual squealing and ground slapping or surrounding the ref, but he gave the ref a decision to make. Stay on your feet. He could easily have done that.’
‘How come the ref blew for full-time before Man U got an equaliser? Strange times.’
‘Man Utd in recent weeks have reminded me of their time under Fergie. Not because they have been good but because they have been very lucky. Tonight was another example. V poor decision for the yellow for Ramsey & way too much added time. Newcastle were all over them. All reminiscent of when refs used to favour them back then. I’m sure if you’re a Man U fan, you’ll take it if it continues though’
‘He had already defied the laws of physics by finding an extra six minutes in an initial added three at the end of the first half.’
‘Ref’s probably relieved that Newcastle won so that there’s less scrutiny of that ridiculous sending off.’
‘Brilliant goal to win any game.
Ramsdale with a couple of excellent saves. Well earned victory for Newcastle United.
Awful red card decision’
‘William Osula won’t score a better goal in front of those screaming Geordies. A superb goal, a worthy winner.
MU were just not up for it tonight, it was a poor show, and we looked like the Utd of old, all of 6 weeks ago. Still it was a good run by Carrick, all good things come to an end.
NUFC should play with 10 men every week, they play much better.
Dan Burn was 10 foot 7 tall tonight. Colossus.’
‘Hopefully the red card will be appealed.’
‘Unfortunately not. You can’t appeal 2 yellow card reds’
‘Thank Newcastle from the rest of the UK’
’12 men Man United couldn’t beat 10 men Newcastle’
‘It should have been 8 men. Burns should have gone for the elbow into Shaw,’s face, and Joelinton for applauding the referee’s decision to (rightly) award a yellow card to him.’
‘The ref was biased to newcastle all match. Gordon should have been booked for diving so should trippier and hall. He actually got one right with ramsey. And joelinton should have been sent off for clapping the ref. Gave newcastle everything and only got one decision right when he sent ramsey the cheat off’
’12 men? He gave Newcastle a penalty, but you forgot about that.’
‘Only because VAR gave him no option, he turned away but then raised his hand to his headset and gave the pen.’
‘I’m a neutral… well I started off that way. No hard feelings to Man United, but the underdogs went down to 10 and then won the match with goal of the season. It capped a solid team effort full of spirit that all football fans want to see. Roy of the Rovers stuff, that goal, heroic.’
‘9 mins added 1st half, 8 mins 2nd half…..where does this time come from?’
‘Ref did everything to help man utd there. Never a second yellow. 3 mins added on in first half became almost 9 mins. Second half 5 mins added on, nearly 9 mins played again. Nonetheless, great performance from Newcastle.’
‘Fernandes should have 2 yellows every game he plays the amount of moaning and swearing and hand waving he does, if refs stand up to him then he won’t do it.’
‘Second dubious sending off in two games. Someone somewhere badly wants Manchester United to get a Champions League place this season !’
‘Man U back to their old ways. Disjointed, zombie-esque and Fernandez swearing and moaning like a petulant child.
Well played 10 man Newcastle!’
‘If he rolls around 12 times then asks the ref for a pen, or if he leaps straight up again and claims a pen, then fair enough, book those players for simulation.
Ramsey just fell over and was gutted he missed a great opportunity to score, nothing I have seen on screen suggested he was claiming for anything.’
‘Full credit to Newcastle from this Man Utd fan.
Just have to be honest and say they had more fight than us.’
‘Today may be the first home Newcastle match report this season where we get more comments from Man U fans than from Liverpool fans..!
But probably only thanks to Wolves…’