Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle got themselves a much needed three points when they overcame his old foe Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United side 1-0 at St.James Park yesterday. Let’s see how the players rated …
Dubravka 8
Pulled off a string of top saves and looked composed throughout, what a way to introduce yourself to the Premier League.
Yedlin 7
Had a tough day up against Sanchez, but stuck to his task well.
Lascelles 9
Put in a captain’s performance and made some crucial last ditch interventions.
Lejeune 8
Solid defensively and composed in possession
Dummett 7
Worked his socks off to keep United’s attackers at bay.
Ritchie 8
Tidy finish for the winner, and looked a threat on the counter throughout.
Shelvey 9 ( MOTM )
Competed brilliantly in the centre of the park, and passed the ball superbly from start to finish.
Diamé 8
Outmuscled Pogba on a couple of occasions and a crucial part of his sides defensive effort late on.
Kenedy 7
Started brightly, but faded as the game went on.
Pérez 7
Got himself into some dangerous positions in between the lines at times.
Gayle 7
Put in the hard yards up front without ever really threatening the goal.
Substitutes
Atsu 7
His pace caused United problems on the counter after his introduction.
Joselu 7
Held the ball up well for his side late on.
Hayden N/A
Manchester United
de Gea 7
Made one stunning save from Shelvey in the first-half, and had no chance with the goal.
Valencia 6
Didn’t get forward and support the attack as well as he usually does.
Smalling 5
Just not good enough in possession to play for a club of United’s stature. Booked for diving in the build up to Newcastle’s winner.
Jones 6
Did ok, but like his central defensive partner lacks quality in possession.
Young 7
Covered a huge amount of ground down the left flank and was unlucky with one late effort.
Pogba 3
Looked to be carrying a injury, but still a shocking performance. Disgracefully, did not challenge for a header in the build up to Newcastle’s goal.
Matic 5
Solid enough, although he does look like he could do with a rest.
Martial 5
Bright in possession, but missed three excellent chances.
Lingard 5
Has been good for most of this season, but this was a return to the type of display that makes people wonder how he gets a game for Manchester United.
Sánchez 7
Inventive and full of energy, just a pity most of his team-mates weren’t on the same wavelength.
R Lukaku 7
His hold up play has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple of months, really unlucky not to register and assist after a couple of lovely through balls.
Substitutes
Carrick 6
Tried to get his team moving forward, but couldn’t break down a well organised Newcastle rearguard.
Mata 6
Pushed and probed late on, although his efforts would be in vain.
McTominay N/A
No impact.
