A rare Matt Ritchie goal gave Newcastle a precious win at home to Manchester United on Sunday, a result which extends Jose Mourinho’s winless streak at St. James’ Park in the league to seven games.
The visitors created enough good chances to win the game, only for debutant ‘keeper Martin Dubravka to thwart the visitors time and time again with a number of fine saves.
At the other end of the pitch, the Magpies were harshly denied a spot-kick when Chris Smalling tripped Dwight Gayle on the very corner of the box.
However, Newcastle would eventually score, directly after Smalling was booked for a dive.
That Chris Smalling Dive 😂 pic.twitter.com/agJYbNLPNK
— Josh Greaves (@GR3AVESY) February 11, 2018
The resulting free-kick was launched into the Manchester United box, with Ritchie, ending a run of 43 shots without a goal this season, firing home.
The game would end 1-0 to the hosts, a victory which moves them out of the drop-zone.
As for Mourinho’s side, they stay 16 points behind leaders Manchester City, and still look far from the finished article despite the huge amounts of money thrown at the squad.