Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United: Player Ratings
Newcastle stunned a poor Manchester United at St. James' Park to give them their first home victory since October and lift them to 13th in the Premier League.
From a Newcastle free-kick conceded due to a dive by Chris Smalling, the resultant dead-ball was immediately booted up the field by the Magpies. Matt Ritchie took full advantage from non-existent United marking to sweep home and give Newcastle a vital three points to steer them clear of the relegation zone.
Newcastle United
Martin Dubravka - 9
Dubravka - making his Toon debut - was assured in goal, making an excellent save with his leg to keep out Anthony Martial in the first half. He made a stunning save from Carrick's toed shot with virtually the last attack of the game. His anticipation of the pace of the ball to decide whether to come out of goal was near-perfect.
DeAndre Yedlin - 7.5
Yedlin struggled against the robustness of Sanchez but managed to provide some width and pace when he went on the offensive end. He sent Sanchez slightly wide after he went past Dubravka, making him shoot from a tighter angle. He also made a goal-line block to deny Martial in the 77th minute.
Jamaal Lascelles - 7.5
Lascelles made important clearances to frustrate the Lukaku, matching the Belgian in aerial duels. He organised his defence well and kept his focus to eke out a positive result for Rafa Benitez's side.
Florian Lejeune - 7.5
Lejeune was brilliant at centre-half, making vital defensive headers and clearances to put United at bay. His recovery block to stop Sanchez's shot from entering the net was the highlight of the game.
Paul Dummett - 7
Dummett was impressive going up the pitch, delivering quality balls across the face of goal. Defensively, he was tested by the fleet-footedness of Martial but kept track of him the entire game.
Matt Ritchie - 7.5
Ritchie put in a tireless shift, charging down the flank and moving the ball across the pitch quickly to unsettle United. He was at the right place at the right time to receive Dwight Gayle's back-heeled layoff from the centre of the box to give Newcastle what turned out to be a crucial winning goal.
Jonjo Shelvey - 7.5
Shelvey was a busy figure in midfield, making crucial passes and going forward himself to put pressure on United's defence. He struck a fierce shot early in the game which was well saved by de Gea despite the pace and swerve on the ball.
Mohamed Diame - 7.5
Diame played the defensive midfielder's role to good effect. He closed down Pogba and Lingard while not allowing them with the room to express themselves in attack to get the killer pass to open up their back-line.
Kenedy - 7
Kenedy showed his pace on the ball, making quick approaches towards the United box and linking up with Dummett on the left flank. A powerful strike towards goal was saved by De Gea.
Ayoze Perez - 7
Perez was industrious in an attacking position, pressing the United defenders and threatening to win possession back for the Magpies. He should have won a penalty when he was fouled by Smalling in the first half.
Dwight Gayle - 7.5
Gayle provided the assist - a back-heeled pass towards the middle of the 18-yard box for Ritchie to slam home. He, like Perez, worked hard to press United down in their defensive third. He was impressive on a defensive note, blocking Martial on the line to preserve his side's lead.
Substitutions:
Joselu - 6.5
Joselu came on for the final 10 minutes and drew a couple of rash challenges from United, helping them run the clock down more than anything else.
Christian Atsu - 7
Atsu defended excellently against Sanchez in the dying moments, blocking his crosses and deflecting them for corners.
Isaac Hayden - N/A
He came on in injury time.