EPL: Man United seven points away from relegation zone after Newcastle defeat
Newcastle United scored two early goals to condemn Manchester United to a 2-0 defeat in their English Premier League (EPL) clash at Old Trafford on Monday night.
In a game that pitted an in-form Newcastle side against Man United’s poor side, goals by Alexander Isak and Joelinton gave the visitors all three points and piled more misery on the Red Devils.
Newcastle easily cut through their hosts from the first minute and took a deserved lead in the fourth minute through Isak, who converted a well-placed header from a deflected cross.
The Magpies doubled their lead through Joelinton. The Brazilian midfielder bundled Anthony Gordon’s cross into the net with his upper arm.
Sandro Tonali should have made it three-nil, but he hit the base of the post while Ruben Amorim’s side played atrociously.
Joshua Zirkzee was yanked off after Kobie Mainoo after 32 minutes, and the midfielder’s introduction improved Ruben Amorin’s men. But they failed to take gilt-edged chances through Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro.
The second period was an improvement for Man United, but they could not cut open Newcastle United and had to limp to another debilitating defeat.
The Red Devils’ fifth loss in December is the first time they have lost five matches in one calendar month since September 1962. They also succumbed to a third consecutive defeat without scoring for the first time since May 2015, remaining in 14th position with 22 points from 19 matches — just seven points away from the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, Chelsea surprisingly fell to their first defeat in 11 matches, suffering a 2-0 defeat to promoted Ipswich Town, who won their first home match of the season thanks to Laim Delap’s penalty and Omari Richardson’s strike.
RESULTS
Aston Villa 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Manchester United 0-2 Newcastle United
Ipswich Town 2-0 Chelsea
(The Cable)