EPL: Newcastle United 1-1 Manchester United
Newcastle’s thrilling performance was only good enough for a point as a poor Manchester United scraped a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.
Allan Saint-Maximin’s fine first-half goal had given Newcastle the lead in the seventh minute and they were well worth that advantage for over an hour as Ralf Rangnick’s side struggled.
But substitute Edinson Cavani scored a scarcely-deserved equaliser and it required some typical heroics from David de Gea to deny Miguel Almiron a late Newcastle winner.
While Manchester United escaped with a draw, the first dropped points of the Rangnick regime, Eddie Howe was left frustrated, a night of promise and hope ending with Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson injured.
The result was not enough to move Manchester United up the table – they stay seventh – while Newcastle remain one off the bottom in 19th, still two points from safety.
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Newcastle made no fewer than six changes from the 4-0 defeat at Man City, and named only eight substitutes out of a possible nine.
Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron dropped to the bench, while Ciaran Clark, Matt Ritchie, Joe Willock and Isaac Hayden were out. Javier Manquillo, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth, Jonjo Shelvey, Sean Longstaff and Allan Saint-Maximin came in.
Manchester United, who had not played since December 11, made two changes from the 1-0 win at Norwich.
Raphael Varane played for the first time since late October, returning from a hamstring injury to replace the absent Victor Lindelof. Further up the pitch, Mason Greenwood came in for Jadon Sancho, who was benched.
Joelinton was awarded the Man of the Match and was a revelation in midfield and his performance showcased his defensive qualities as well.
He won possession of the ball 11 times, more than anyone else on the pitch, making four interceptions, also the most of anyone in the game.
Manchester United now host Burnley on December 30 in the Premier League, while Newcastle visit Everton at the same day.
