Solskjaer’s supersubs help United sink Toon
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer racked up his fourth consecutive win as boss – and matched United legend Sir Matt Busby.
Busby was the only boss to win his first four games in charge back in 1946, until the Norwegian’s remarkable revival of Jose Mourinho’s side continued at St James’ Park.
Late strikes from substitute Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford – teed up by Alexis Sanchez, also off the bench – clinched the points and condemned Newcastle to another nervy relegation battle.
Soon the debate will start asking whether Solskjaer deserves to stay in charge beyond this season.
Fresh from scoring 12 in their previous three games after Mourinho’s departure, the visitors were shackled for the first hour.
But it was Solskjaer’s 63rd-minute substitution which shook the game out of its stalemate – Lukaku coming on with Sanchez.
Crafted
Just a minute later, the Belgian smashed home his eighth goal of the season, reacting quickest to a fumble by Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka.
Rashford lined up a free-kick from 30 yards and drove it down the middle of the goal.
Dubravka made his Premier League debut against United last February and was man of the match as the Geordies won 1-0.
But he failed to hold Rashford’s palmstinger, spilling into the danger area and letting razor-sharp Lukaku slot home.
The second was well crafted on the break, with Rashford and Lukaku tearing up the right, freeing Sanchez.
He played a defence-splitting pass to Rashford, who slotted home to finish the contest.
Toon boss Rafa Benitez tries to grind out points against sides with vastly superior playing resources, but it rarely works.
This was one of those nights, as Newcastle banked up behind the ball.
It is doubtful whether Mourinho’s lacklustre version of United would have broken Newcastle down. But Solskjaer’s version has a zest which won through. For Newcastle, MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3): Referee: