 Yohan Cabaye (AFP) |
Goals from Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye and a late Phil Jones own goal clinched a deserved 3-0 victory for Newcastle at St James Park, as United missed the chance to go level on points with City at the top of the table.
The defeat means United, beaten by Blackburn at Old Trafford in their last outing at the weekend, now trail City by three points after the league leaders downed Liverpool 3-0 at Eastlands on Tuesday.
An end-to-end first half saw both sides threaten early on, with Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov grazing the post with a header on 15 minutes to set alarm bells ringing in the Newcastle defence.
At the other end, Newcastle had strong appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Howard Webb after Rio Ferdinand brought down Ba as the two players tussled for possession.
The deadlock was broken on 33 minutes when Newcastle's readiness to play route one football paid dividends.
A long kick upfield by Newcastle keeper Tim Krul was met by Shola Ameobi, who flicked on for Ba, who in turn hooked a superb volley into the side netting beyond Anders Lindegaard, favoured in goal ahead of the dropped David De Gea.
Ba's strength and mobility continued to cause problems for United and it was a foul on the striker by Jones early in the second half that led to Newcastle's second.
From the ensuing free-kick Cabaye stepped up and struck a powerful curling effort into the top corner beyond the despairing dive of Lindegaard.
Newcastle's second stung United into action, and only a magnificent goal-line clearance from Danny Simpson prevented Wayne Rooney from pulling a goal back for the visitors on 59 minutes.
Rooney, who had missed the Blackburn defeat after being dropped by Ferguson for disciplinary reasons, endured a miserable evening and eventually suffered the indignity of being substituted with 15 minutes to go.
A bad night for United got worse in the dying minutes when a long punt forward by Krul caused confusion in the visiting defence and Jones steered a header past Lindegaard for 3-0.
In the night's other game, Bolton moved off the bottom after coming from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park.
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard opened the scoring with a freak effort before Bolton hit back with goals from David Ngog and Gary Cahill.
Howard's 63rd minute effort came when the Everton goalkeeper's long clearance bounced over the head of Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan and flew into the net.
But Bolton responded almost immediately, with David Ngog beating John Heitinga and curling a left-footed shot into the far corner.
Cahill – expected to join Chelsea later this month – then drove in the winner for a vital three points for Bolton.
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