Second Half capitulation does for United again!
Manchester United 3-1 Newcastle United
After a spirited first half display that saw Allan Saint-Maximin score on 36 minutes to cancel out a Marcus Rashford strike just 6 minutes earlier, Newcastle would once more implode to and surrender the game with second half goals from James and a Fernandez penalty (of course).
The scoreline does little to tell the story of a game that Newcastle United could and should have taken at least something form, had they continued their first half display in the second period.
By the time Rashford nutmegged Krafth before beating Darlow at his near post (surely time to give Dubravka his gloves back), the Magpies would certainly argue the goal was against the run of play. Almiron in particular looking every bit the star of the show in that early period.
But rather than an immediate capitulation those in black and white stuck to their game plan and were good value for an ASM equaliser when he fired a fierce strike over the head of deGea when Man U failed to fully clear a Newcastle corner.
Going in at half time the message must have been clear from Bruce (or more likely Jones). 'Keep going, more of the same'.
Unfortunately the visitors did not follow instructions. What followed was every bit the Bruce like performances we've come to expect.
Overrun, clueless, without energy or intent! It's all the more unpalatable when you consider what the same team was capable of in the first half.
A soft goal for James and then a clear penalty, conceded by Willock and converted by Fernandez, was more than enough to take the points for the home side.
Equally upsetting for the Newcastle fans would be Steve Bruce's jovial mood, laughing and joking with Ole on his way back to the dressing room, whilst him not even seeming to care the Lascelles received a forearm smash from Maguire in the Man U penalty area that certainly should have seen Newcastle awarded an early spot kick and see the home side reduced to 10 men.
And with results not going Newcastle's way, the gap to the drop zone is now just one win for Fulham away.
How dare Newcastle fans have suggested that their team would be in trouble under this manager. How dare they question what 'professional pundits' consider is a very good manager doing a 'great job'.
Match FACTFILE
