Just 35 days after losing 2-0 to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final, Newcastle United returned the favour at St. James’ Park, making it three league victories in a row and moving back into third place at the Red Devils’ expense.
March’s international break arguably came at the wrong time for Newcastle, who had started to regain the sort of pre-Christmas form that initially opened up the possibility of a first UEFA Champions League appearance in 20 years.
Regardless, they were able to continue that momentum via an impressive first-half display, and Eddie Howe’s side could well have taken a deserved lead as early as the 16th minute. Jacob Murphy’s chipped ball into the area was met by Alexander Isak, who headed on target but saw his effort pushed away by David de Gea, before Joe Willock’s effort on the rebound was fired straight at the Spaniard.
The Magpies continued suffocating their visitors as the minutes ticked towards Half Time. Sean Longstaff’s speculative effort from 25 yards out flew just wide of the left post.
There was still time for another good Newcastle chance before the interval though, as the ever-threatening Allan Saint-Maximin pulled the ball back to Willock, but the midfielder’s effort from inside the area went over the crossbar, as Erik ten Hag’s men breathed a sigh of relief.
Tynesiders’ superiority continued after HT, Bruno Guimarães chipped a ball to the back post, allowing Saint-Maximin to nod back for the unmarked Willock, who headed home from a couple of yards out to send the Geordie faithful into raptures.
substitute Callum Wilson rounded the game off in style late on, heading in a Kieran Trippier free kick to send the ball in off the far post. Newcastle duly leapfrog their opponents into third place after ending a near four-year wait for success in this fixture