A round-up of what the national media are reporting after Newcastle United ran out 2-0 winners against Manchester United at St James' Park.
'A statement performance'
Ian Ladyman wrote in the Daily Mail: "The race to the line in the Premier League is on and Newcastle have heard the starting gun while Manchester United have not. This was a statement performance from Eddie Howe’s Newcastle to take them above their opponents and in to third place.
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"As for [Man] United, this was another one of those days when a talented side simply went missing. They managed not a credible goal chance all afternoon and by the end were lucky to lose only by two.
"Newcastle were superb for the whole 90 minutes. When they lost meekly to Erik ten Hag’s team in the Carabao Cup Final at the end of February, they looked like a side without legs, rhythm or confidence. They couldn’t score during that period of the season and they couldn’t win.
"But international football can do different things to different teams. Here at a rapturous St James’ Park, Newcastle showed an energy, intent, ambition and belief that should now serve them well as they look to secure what would be a quite remarkable top four finish at the end of Howe’s first full season.
"They have eleven games left and their sole requirement now is to finish above managerless Tottenham, who are a point behind them and have already played a game more."
'The highest of tempos'
Louise Taylor penned for the Guardian: "Erik ten Hag has described Newcastle United as “annoying” for some time now but, until Sunday, Manchester United’s manager probably regarded Eddie Howe’s side as more of a nuisance than a genuine threat.
"All that changed in the course of a statement win which confirms Newcastle’s status as an emerging force; not to mention serious contenders for Champions League qualification.
"It was all played out against an evocatively raucous backdrop, reprising memories of the mid‑1990s and the fierce rivalry between Kevin Keegan’s and Sir Alex Ferguson’s then title‑chasing teams.
"Stellar second‑half goals from the excellent Joe Willock and the substitute Callum Wilson enabled Howe’s class of 2022‑23 to leapfrog their guests as they rose to third in the Premier League. Granted Manchester United are level on points but their goal difference is distinctly inferior. Indeed Ten Hag’s side are now without a goal, or a win, in their past three league games.
"If Howe enjoyed watching his players exact revenge for the Carabao Cup final defeat to the same opponents in February, Ten Hag’s irritation at being bested here surfaced as, deep in the second half, the two managers pointed fingers in each other’s faces after the Dutchman accused Nick Pope, the home goalkeeper, of time wasting. In the end he and Howe had to be separated by Manchester United’s assistant manager, Steve McClaren.
"The biggest indictment of a rather jaded looking visiting performance was that Newcastle looked half a yard sharper throughout and, on a day when they rarely needed to waste time in the manner so deplored by Ten Hag, constantly demanded the ball.
"With Marcus Rashford uncommonly peripheral in attack after being repeatedly second guessed but Kieran Trippier and the suspended Casemiro much missed in central midfield, Manchester United never succeeded in properly imposing themselves on hosts who forced the highest of tempos."
"Newcastle United are the real deal'
Luke Edwards wrote in the the Telegraph: "If you had not realised it yet, if you had not been paying attention, Newcastle United are the real deal. This was not just a victory over Manchester United, it was a statement of intent that confirms their reputation as the rising power of English football.
"Newcastle destroyed Manchester United, mentally and physically. They were quicker, stronger and far better on the ball. It was a classy performance, the sort that should make everyone sit up and take notice. Newcastle, with Eddie Howe as manager, are here to stay. You suspect they are only going to get better too.
"The three points moved them up into third place, above Manchester United on goal difference, one point above Tottenham Hotspur having played two games less than the London club.
"When everything clicks, Newcastle are as good as anyone in the Premier League and that includes the two teams, Arsenal and Manchester City above them. They do not have the same depth to their squad, perhaps, but when their big players play well they are exhilarating to watch and a nightmare to play against."
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