Substitute William Osula scored a superb late winner as 10-man Newcastle United inflicted Michael Carrick’s first defeat as Manchester United manager.
Carrick grew up watching Newcastle on the Gallowgate End, and warned his players the stadium was “tough place to go” before a ball had been kicked.
So it proved – even after Newcastle midfielder Jacob Ramsey was sent off in the first half – as the spirited hosts rallied at a raucous St James’ Park.
It looked like both sides were going to have to settle for a share of the spoils after Casemiro’s header cancelled out Anthony Gordon’s penalty.
But Osula cut inside the box and lashed the ball past the stunned Senne Lammens, who could only watch it hit the net in the 90th minute to send the stadium into raptures.
“Will asked after training for 10 more balls yesterday,” Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said. “He wanted 10 more finishes. A carbon copy of the goal he scored today.
“He scored eight out of 10 and that’s all credit to the player. He wanted to do more before he went in and I’m a great believer that if you do the work, you get the reward. I’m delighted for him.”
What a contrast to the scenes in first-half stoppage time when Newcastle players, staff and supporters were furious when Ramsey was sent off for a second booking.
Referee Peter Bankes felt the midfielder dived in an attempt to win a penalty when he nudged the ball past goalkeeper Lammens.
But Newcastle quickly channelled their anger and Gordon was awarded a spot-kick after the forward was brought down by Bruno Fernandes inside the box.
Gordon coolly placed his penalty straight down the middle of Lammens’ goal to open the scoring and net his 15th goal of the campaign.
But Manchester United have recovered more points (nine) from a losing position than any other side in the Premier League in 2026 for a reason, and Newcastle were not in front for long.
There was still time for another dramatic twist in the ninth minute of first-half stoppage time after Manchester United midfielder Casemiro made a smart run to the near post to head home from Fernandes’ free-kick.
Newcastle were quickly pegged back, but the hosts regrouped at the break and a stretching Gordon had a huge chance to put his side 2-1 up, only to fire wide at the back post in the second half.
Manchester United also had a couple of big opportunities to win it late on when Leny Yoro saw a header batted away by Aaron Ramsdale, while substitute Joshua Zirkzee was also denied by the recalled Newcastle goalkeeper.
But it was Osula who had the final say as Newcastle climbed to 12th, while Manchester United stay in third.
Newcastle analysis: Howe’s big calls pay off
The boos from the crowd were deafening as Bankes and the officials made their way off the field at half-time.
Even Joe Willock, who had not even come on at that point, made his feelings clear, having felt aggrieved with Ramsey’s red card and the amount of stoppage time added on in the first half.
Ten-man Newcastle could have lost their composure, but you would not have known the hosts were playing with a man fewer in the second half.
Nothing quite said that like Osula racing down the right flank, cutting inside Tyrell Malacia and letting fly with an absolute rocket to leave Howe roaring in delight on the touchline.
To describe Osula as an unlikely match-winner may seem a strange description for a forward, but he had not scored since September and failed to take his chance during a rare start against Qarabag last week.
Yet this was a night where Howe’s big calls paid off – and he needed them to following a run of five defeats in six Premier League games.
As well as Osula repaying his faith, after his introduction at a crucial juncture of the game, so, too, did Ramsdale at the other end of the field on his first league start since December.
Leaky Newcastle have struggled to keep the opposition out, and were not 1-0 up for long, but the hosts limited Manchester United’s in-form front line and Ramsdale was there to make a couple of big saves to ensure Howe’s team did not fall behind.
This fixture has so often brought the best out of Howe’s side – he will take encouragement from the spirit and resilience his team played with.
“We got a red card and it would have been an easy feeling for the lads to feel sorry for ourselves and think, ‘Here we go again’,” Howe said. “That’s the biggest compliment I can give the lads.
“They really stood up in that second half and have all given more. They have all believed they can win the game.
“That’s one of the best emotions that I think I’ve felt. I’m sure a lot of people will say the same.”
