Manchester United were the hosts for the second time in a week for this Premier League clash against Alan Pardew's Newcastle United. Both teams were looking to bounce back from disappointing results in mid-week where Newcastle were beaten 3-0 away at Swansea and Everton won 1-0 at Old Trafford.
Robin Van Persie returned to the United line-up for the first time in almost a month and started up front with Javier Hernandez as Wayne Rooney was suspended. Adnan Januzaj and Tom Cleverley were also among the seven changes from the team beaten by Everton. Newcastle only had one change from the team that played at the Liberty Stadium as Vernon Anita came in for Shola Ameobi.
It was a first half of little opportunity as United struggled to create many chances without the creative input of Rooney. Newcastle were much like Everton in the fact that they never gave United any time on the ball and were constantly closing down to make it difficult for the home side to get the ball up to Van Persie and Hernandez.
Jones forced a low save from Krul with a first-time shot from 20 yards 10 minutes in before Nani and Januzaj linked up to create an opening for Cleverley a minute later. The midfielder's initial shot was blocked by Coloccini and Van Persie got the ball back to Cleverley for a second chance but unfortunately for the Old Trafford crowd his second shot was also blocked and trickled into the arms of Premier League Player of the Month Krul.
Newcastle created the game's best chances right at the end of the first half when Debuchy had two efforts in as many minutes. Remy caught fellow Frenchman Evra napping at left back and sent a fine through ball to another France international, Debuchy, who had made a clever infield run from the right. Debuchy sent a decent effort towards goal but De Gea got up well to make the save to keep the scoreline level. Santon created the second chance with a lovely cross whipped in for Debuchy who could only head straight at De Gea to ensure the game remained 0-0 at half time.
Clearly struggling to get into the game, Van Persie was forced to drop deep to get on the ball which he did at the start of the second half, a move that created United's best opportunity of the match. The Dutchman picked the ball up in midfield and lofted a sublime pass over the Newcastle defence to Hernandez who showed great control and hit a drive goalwards. It would take more than that to beat Krul though and the Newcastle goalkeeper saved it with his legs. United were starting to build some momentum and seconds later had a second shot on target, this time from Januzaj as he somehow found the space to get away a half-volley in the crowded Newcastle box but once again it was saved by Krul.
The home side then had shouts for a penalty as Evra's header off a corner from Nani was saved by the post and then Anita on the line. The midfielder looked like he had used his arm to block the ball before he cleared it to safety but referee Andre Marriner clearly didn't see it as deliberate and refused to give the spot-kick.
United were left to rue their missed chances as they were against Everton when Newcastle caught them on the break around the hour mark and punished them. Evra was once again left chasing shadows as Sissoko broke with pace down the right before cutting the ball back for Cabaye in space in the penalty area. The Frenchman was cool, calm and collected and swept the ball into the far corner of the net to send the travelling Newcastle fans into dreamland.
United had half an hour to turn the game around and Moyes soon brought on Zaha and Anderson to replace Nani and Cleverley. Van Persie thought he had the equaliser in the 72nd minute but Sian Massey rightly flagged for offside after the cross in from Januzaj had took a touch off Evans that made the Dutchman a few yards off.
Van Persie then put in an excellent cross from a free kick that no-one could get a touch on to divert towards goal as Moyes brought on his final substitute Valencia who replaced Rafael at right back. Newcastle made some attacking changes too with Ameobi coming on for goalscorer Cabaye. It was clear the away side were confident of maintaining their lead, if not doubling it and it was Pardew's men who ended the game on the front foot as they frustrated United by winning successive corners in front of the jubilant away support. The whistle finally went which meant Newcastle joined West Brom and Everton in achieving historic victories away at Old Trafford for the first time in years, 41 years in the case of the North East club.
It leaves David Moyes and his side with a huge challenge to even make top four by the end of the season meaning three points in their next League game away at Villa Park are essential. First they have to face their final Champions League group match though on Tuesday and you wouldn't blame the opposition Shakhtar Dontesk for fancying themselves to cause yet another upset at the once-feared Old Trafford.
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