Matt’s way to do it as Toon’s new local hero scores winner to remember
LONGSTAFF JUNIOR MARKS TOP-FLIGHT DEBUT WITH GOAL AGAINST MAN UNITED
NEWCASTLE United lifted the gloom on Tyneside with a hard-fought but deserved victory over Manchester United.
On a rain-soaked day at St James’ Park, defeat felt like it wasn’t an option and after vowing to put things right, they delivered.
Helped massively by Matty Longstaff’s spark and energy in midfield, the teenager’s winning goal will be talked about for weeks to come, and Steve Bruce knew it.
But in a week in which Bruce has been criticised heavily, he responded in the right fashion with three points to silence his doubters.
This was a much-needed win for Newcastle fans – but also a sweet one as the black-and-whites netted their first home win of the season.
United made a bright and breezy start to the game as Allan SaintMaximin’s run through the middle sliced Man United open before Miguel Almiron’s effort was deflected away for a corner.
Moments later, Almiron was upended by Fred – who was booked for his trouble – before Fabian Schär hit a free-kick straight into the wall.
On 12 minutes, Saint-Maximin created space for himself before firing wide of the target at the Leazes End. Matty Longstaff fires the ball past Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea
The game was played in a ferocious manner and DeAndre Yedlin followed Fred into the book for a late challenge on Scott McTominay on 16 minutes.
With 28 minutes on the clock, Matty Longstaff sprayed the ball to Saint-Maxmin before he returned it, with the Geordie debutant cracking the bar from long range.
Almiron then forced a corner with Schär’s looping header flying just above the angle of post and bar.
Saint-Maximin caused havoc down the left again 10 minutes before the break as he teased Diogo
THE TABLE
P W D Liverpool ........................... 8 8 0 Man City ............................ 8 5 1 Arsenal ............................... 8 4 3 Leicester ............................ 8 4 2 Chelsea .............................. 8 4 2 Crystal Palace .................. 8 4 2 Burnley .............................. 8 3 3 West Ham ......................... 8 3 3 Tottenham Hotspur ..... 8 3 2 AFC Bournemouth ....... 8 3 2 Wolverhampton ............ 8 2 4 Man Utd ............................ 8 2 3 Sheff Utd ........................... 8 2 3 Brighton ............................ 8 2 3 Aston Villa ......................... 8 2 2 Newcastle Utd ........... 8 2 2 Southampton ................. 8 2 1 Everton .............................. 8 2 1 Norwich ............................ 8 2 0 Watford .............................. 8 0 3 L 0 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 5 F 20 27 13 14 18 8 11 11 14 13 11 9 7 8 13 5 8 6 10 4 A Pts 6 24 9 16 11 15 7 14 14 14 8 14 9 12 11 12 12 11 13 11 11 10 8 9 7 9 10 9 12 8 13 8 15 7 13 7 21 6 20 3 Dalet before the resultant corner was hacked clear. Almiron was sent through by Sean Longstaff on 39 minutes but despite beating the linesman’s flag, he could not beat Harry Maguire who powered back to win a challenge.
Just before the break, Maguire squandered a good chance to beat Dubravka but the two teams went in level at half-time.
Newcastle started the second half in positive fashion as Saint-Maximin slipped the ball to Almiron but he fired wide.
Bruce made his first change of the afternoon when he brought on Carroll for Joelinton after 55 minutes.
Nine minutes later, Yedlin beat Ashley Young before picking out Matty Longstaff who crossed for the big Geordie striker but he could only head over the top.