United come back to beat Newcastle 4-1
Three late goals help Reds to second win of the season
Table of Contents
Some late dramatics from star midfielder Bruno Fernandes helped Manchester United come back to beat Newcastle 4-1 Saturday.
In a season full of mistakes for United, this match was very much about making amends.
Game Story
Less than two minutes into this game United were behind through an own goal by Luke Shaw.
However, the setback was a tonic for the Red Devils, who regrouped and quickly took control of the match.
On 19 minutes some great passing between Fernandes and Juan Mata saw the Portuguese find the top corner for the equalizer.
However, after VAR it was called back because Mata was in an offside position.
In the 23rd minute captain, Harry Maguire equalized with a towering header off a Mata corner.
Into the second half, the Reds were dominant in possession putting the Magpies on their heels.
In the 58th minute, VAR came to the aide of United when Jamal Lewis was penalized for a challenge on Marcus Rashford.
However, the usually reliable Bruno Fernandes had his spot-kick saved brilliantly by Karl Darlow.
On the ensuing corner, Maguire’s header was cleared off the line by Jonjo Shelvey.
Darlow made a string of fantastic stops in the second half to keep the match level.
In the 86th minute, a brilliant link-up play with Rashford in the final third saw a Fernandes strike rattle in off the post.
Four minutes later Wan-Bissaka got an insurance marker with a brilliant near-post effort.
Rashford made it 4-1 with a nice finish on a counter-attack in the 96th minute to secure the victory.
Showing resilience
After falling apart two weeks ago against Tottenham, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer demanded a better response.
Despite falling behind early that’s exactly what the Reds did Saturday.
Solskjaer made five changes from the side that was crushed by Tottenham.
Fred, McTominay, Lindelof, James, and Mata all started.
The early goal really lit a spark in the team whose 4-2-3-1 system really threw Newcastle for a loop in this one.
Fernandes and Mata were lethal in attacking midfield putting the Magpies on their backfoot all game long.
Meanwhile, a defense that’s been shockingly bad in the early season was a lot better despite newcomer Alex Telles sitting out.
After the match, Solskjaer said “the boys came together really well. They are looking forward to every game. Today I rested a few and they have come on and done the business for us.”
By the numbers
Coming from behind against Newcastle is nothing new for the Red Devils.
The 4-1 win marks the 10th time they’ve come back to beat Newcastle, the most of any side against a single opponent in the EPL.
Man United has been awarded 17 penalties in the Premier League since last season.
That’s five more than any other side in the league.
For the first time since joining the Reds, Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty, it was his 11th spot-kick.
Through 90 minutes United had the bulk of the play with 64% possession, 86% pass accuracy, and 14 shots on target.
Getting contributions
At the start of the season, Solskjaer said they needed contributions from other players besides Rashford, Martial, and Greenwood.
Finally, Saturday United’s defense chipped with goals by Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
With the win United makes history winning six successive Premier League or Division One matches while scoring at least two goals in each of them.
Man of the Match
Bruno Fernandes was the catalyst for most United attacks once again earning a penalty, scoring the winner, and setting up Marcus Rashford’s goal.
He was all over the pitch with great vision and speed, creating several great opportunities.
Honorable mention goes to Rashford with a goal and two assists.
What it means
Manchester United moves up to six points on the season tied for 12th in the Premier League.
Next up
Solskjaer’s men begin their Champions League campaign on Wednesday against last year’s finalists PSG on Tuesday at 8 pm from the Parc des Princes.
You could see former PSG great Edinson Cavani make his first start for the Reds in that one.
Their next EPL fixture is next Saturday at Old Trafford against Chelsea at 5:30 pm. (JSL)
