Wednesday 04/01/2011
Premier League
United lose their unbeaten away record and go down to their second successive Premier League loss to dent their title hopes.
After Saturdays disappointing 3-2 loss to Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United were looking to get back on track at the newly named Sports Direct Arena. United's defence had been crippled by injuries in recent weeks, so the return of Rio Ferdinand to the starting line up will have been welcomed by all United fans. However the back line still included inexperienced Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia again filling in at right back.
Anders Lindegaard was preferred in goal after David De Gea had struggled in the defeat to Blackburn. Dimitar Berbatov was selected to partner Wayne Rooney up front as he had
bagged six goals in his last three games. United were also looking to get their own back on a Newcastle team that picked up a point at Old Trafford after a poor refereeing decision had led to a Demba Ba equaliser.
The game began at break neck pace with both sides eager to make an early impression on the game. It was the reds who started marginally the better forcing Newcastle into rash challenges, with Fabio Coloccini lucky to escape a yellow card for a high boot. They almost took an early advantage when Dimitar Berbatov saw his header deflected onto the post, in which inexplicably a goal kick was given even though the ball had clearly ricocheted off a Newcastle defender.
However as the game developed the home side took the game by the scruff of the neck and in the 33rd minute the Magpies went into a well deserved lead as Demba Ba hit a sumptuous volley into the top of the net following a Shola Ameobi cross. The reds couldn't match Newcastle's energy in the middle of the park, with the threats of Rooney and
Ryan Giggs being subdued by Cheick Tiote.
The score stayed at 1-0 going into half time leaving Sir Alex's men with everything to do if they were going to get back into the game. At just a goal down there was everythign to play for. However United were stung almost immideatly after the restart when Yohan Cabaye fired an inch perfect free kick into the top left corner of Lindegaard's goal. The advantage was well and truly with the home side and the reds struggled to break them down as they were now in search of three goals if they were to turn the game around.
The closest the reds came was when Wayne Rooney saw his effort from four yards cleared off the line by ex red Danny Simpson as Newcastle continued to boss the game. One of the
few sparks of quality in the Manchester United team was an imperious passing performance from Michael Carrick, however the England midfielder found himself camped deep inside
his own half and struggled to make an impact.
In the 90th minute United were dealt a hammer blow when a defensive mix up meant Phil Jones nodded the ball into his own net to make the score 3-0 and give Newcastle a resounding victory. The loss means title rivals Manchester City retain a three point advantage at the top of the league with 18 games to play.
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