Newcastle United have moved into 13th place in the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Sunday's clash at St James' Park.
After a goalless first half, Newcastle netted the decisive goal of the game when Matt Ritchie fired into the bottom corner from 12 yards for his first league goal of the season.
Man United created numerous opportunities to net against the Magpies, but the home side were indebted to the performance of new goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and several blocks from defenders which prevented certain goals.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in the North-East courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match between Newcastle United and Manchester United. This fixture is one of the most famous of the Premier League era, but both clubs are currently fighting at different ends of the table. Let's see who Rafael Benitez and Jose Mourinho have selected in their starting lineups...
NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Ritchie, Shevley, Diame, Kenedy; Perez, Gayle
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Darlow, Murphy, Hayden, Manquillo, Joselu, Merino, Atsu
MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young; Matic, Pogba; Martial, Lingard, Sanchez; Lukaku
MANCHESTER UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Romero, Lindelof, Rojo, Mata, Carrick, Shaw, McTominay
Let's start with the Manchester United team news with Mourinho opting to make as many as four changes to his starting lineup. The most notable one? The return of Paul Pogba, who comes back into the team having started last weekend's win over Huddersfield Town on the bench.
Mourinho has also decided to bring Phil Jones and Ashley Young into the defence, with Anthony Martial getting the nod on the right flank. Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Scott McTominay and Juan Mata have all dropped down to the substitutes' bench.
However, there is no sign of Marcus Rashford this afternoon, who presumably has an injury. The versatile English attacker has only started two games in 2018 - neither of which have come in the Premier League - so it's not a big miss in terms of the starting lineup.
LATEST! Before we crack on with the Newcastle team news, let us point you in the direction of the game which is currently taking place at the John Smith's Stadium because Huddersfield Town have just moved into a 3-1 lead against Bournemouth. It's not a scoreline which will go down well with Newcastle fans. Click here to follow the remaining quarter of that encounter.
Back to this match, and Benitez has opted to make two alterations to the team which began the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. Somewhat surprisingly, January signing Martin Dubravka has been brought in for his debut, with goalkeeper Karl Darlow only being selected as a substitute. Darlow had enjoyed an excellent game against Palace last weekend.
The other change sees Florian Lejeune come into the centre of the defence in place of Ciaran Clark, who suffered a knee injury at Selhurst Park. The Republic of Ireland international had been in contention to feature this afternoon, but Benitez has taken no risks.
Islam Slimani was hoping to be fit for this match after signing on loan from Leicester City but the Algerian international again remains on the sidelines. He will now have a two-week period to try to get fit for Newcastle's next Premier League encounter.
The Magpies have plenty of options on the bench, with Mikel Merino, Jacob Murphy, Christian Atsu and Joselu all offering options in the final third. They may be required later this afternoon.
In his pre-match press conference, Mourinho was complimentary about the strength of Newcastle's squad and despite their league position, the Portuguese is adamant that the North-East outfit will not be relegated. Click here to read his comments in full.
Mourinho has also had to answer questions on Paul Pogba after the Frenchman was dropped from the starting lineup for the win over Huddersfield Town last weekend. Click here to see what Mourinho has said about the club-record signing.
United have been second best to City in most departments throughout the season but not when it comes to clean sheets. As many as 15 shutouts have been registered in the Premier League, which is the most in the top flight.
United also sit in second place in the form table, based on the last six league matches. They will go top of that table if they emerge victorious in the North-East. Click here to see who currently sits in first place. You may be surprised.
However, Mourinho takes his side to Newcastle to play at a ground where he has never recorded a victory. In six attempts, the Portuguese has only registered three draws.
Despite his criticism this season, Romelu Lukaku has netted 18 goals in all competitions and today, he faces a side who he normally contributes against. The Belgian forward has provided six goals and four assists in previous fixtures against the Magpies.
It is a different story where Alexis Sanchez is concerned. The January signing has failed to score in four outings against Newcastle. The attacker will be hoping that changes this afternoon.
Earlier this season, Benitez was criticised for using defensive tactics against Manchester City at St James' Park, and the Spaniard has suggested that he is not afraid to use a similar strategy this afternoon. Click here to see what he has to say.
Newcastle have traditionally been better at St James' Park than they have been on their travels, but Benitez's side have gone eight games without success at their home ground. Their last triumph in familiar territory came against Crystal Palace on October 21.
They also have a poor record against teams in the top half of the table. Only two draws have come from 12 matches. It also indicates that there are plenty more difficult games to come this season.
That record would be much better with a goalscorer. Joselu remains top of the charts with four strikes although one of Gayle's three goals came against United at Old Trafford. That can only be a positive ahead of this game. That said, Benitez desperately needs Slimani to be fit for their remaining fixtures this season.
RESULT! The full-time whistle has gone at the John Smith's Stadium and Huddersfield have recorded a 4-1 win against Bournemouth. It's a huge three points for the Terriers. Click here to read our on-the-whistle report.
The result in Yorkshire means that Huddersfield have moved into 16th position in the Premier League standings, leaving Newcastle to drop into the relegation zone. Only a win will do for the Magpies this afternoon if they want to get out of the bottom three.
PREDICTION! Mourinho may have never won a game at St James' Park but we feel that will change this afternoon. United have kept plenty of clean sheets this season and with Newcastle not boasting the most threatening attack, we feel that the visitors will record a 2-0 win.
HEAD TO HEAD! Sunday's contest represents the 165th competitive meeting between the sides, with Man United claiming 84 victories in comparison to 41 wins for Newcastle.
Newcastle have recorded draws from two of the last three games with Man United but they've struggled in general. In 30 matches since 2001, the Magpies have registered just two victories.
The reverse fixture took place in November and although Newcastle took the lead at Old Trafford, they eventually succumbed to a 4-1 defeat. Click here to read back on that match.
It's time for the two teams to start making their way out at St James' Park. The home supporters look forward to this fixture every season and that passion is represented in the welcome they are giving the two sets of players.
A reminder of the two teams...
NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Ritchie, Shevley, Diame, Kenedy; Perez, Gayle
MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young; Matic, Pogba; Martial, Lingard, Sanchez; Lukaku
KICKOFF! Newcastle get us underway.
After a fairly fast start to this game, we are going to have a stoppage in play for Martial to recover from a hand to the face from Diame. Didn't look much in it at all.
In all fairness to Martial, Diame's finger may have poked him in the eye. The forward is back on his feet, however, and is fine to continue.
SAVE! Newcastle come close to taking the lead. De Gea has pulled off a brilliant save to deny Shelvey, who leathered the ball towards the top corner after the ball had fallen invitingly for him around 16 yards out.
SHOT! Newcastle have started really brightly here. Perez gets a chance to shoot from 25 yards but on the turn, his effort goes a yard or two wide of De Gea's post.
The home side are certainly the better side, but they won't be able to play with this intensity for the entire match. United have started slowly, but it may work to their advantage if they can remain on level terms.
Newcastle look so confident. Where has this come from? The ball is teed up for Kenedy at the back post but the Chelsea loanee's volley hit teammate Gayle.
There might be a problem with Pogba. He's not moving freely, despite giving Mourinho the thumbs up. The Frenchman had some kind of issue in the warm-up and it seems to have lingered.
We are 15 minutes into this match and United are still to get going. Aside from one low cross into the middle, they have not come close to threatening a goal.
Sanchez versus Yedlin is bubbling up nicely, though. The Man United winger just twisted and turned his way past the right-back before setting up Lukaku, but the Belgian completely miscued his shot.
United are slowly starting to takeover. The opportunities are yet to follow but Newcastle are getting penned back and it may be the start of the visitors controlling this match.
Lukaku is not having a huge influence inside of the penalty area but his hold-up play and touches outside of the 18-yard box have been excellent so far. He's winning the physical battle with Lascelles and Lejeune.
Dubravka is yet to make a save or have to deal with anything with his hands, but the goalkeeper is being frequently used to clear the ball. His kicking is up to scratch so far.
A cross from Martial leads to Sanchez having a headed chance at the back post but the January signing appeared to push Yedlin in the back when attempting to make contact.
For all of United's possession over the past 10 minutes, it hasn't made for a very entertaining match. Newcastle are starting to play like they did against Manchester City over Christmas.
Ritchie has just attempted the most speculative of efforts but it was always going to end up over the crossbar. Still, at least it has broken up the pattern of play.
SHOT! Newcastle have improved over the past couple of minutes. Kenedy's had a long-range shot saved by De Gea and Shelvey's seen an effort blocked by Jones.
SHOT! Back up the other end, Lingard gets a shot off from around 16 yards, and Dubravka does well to divert the bobbling effort wide of the post.
Newcastle are almost over-using Dubravka as a makeshift sweeper. United are beginning to telegraph it and it is leading to the Czech Republic stopper rushing his kicks.
CHANCE! United should be ahead. Matic threads an exquisite pass through to Martial and the Frenchman is clear on goal. However, Dubravka stays big and makes a tremendous block with his foot.
Newcastle are fuming after being denied a corner. Jones gets a flick to the ball to prevent it reaching Gayle, but after the forward allows the ball to go out, the assistant gives United a goal kick.
CHANCE! United go straight back up the other end and almost take the lead. Again, it's Martial but the forward glances a header wide of the far post after meeting an inswinging cross.
To add to Newcastle's woes, they have just been denied a stonewall penalty. Gayle got to the ball ahead of Smalling and nicked it past the defender. Smalling tripped the forward in the corner of the penalty area but the referee didn't award a foul. It's a shocker from the official.
United win a free kick on the left flank after Yedlin commits a cynical tug on Lingard. No booking for the American. Another poor decision from the referee.
Just a minute to go until the break and being on level terms would be fair. Newcastle will argue that they should be ahead, and they may well have been had they been given that penalty.
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Newcastle United 0-0 Manchester United
The half-time whistle goes at St James' Park and we remain goalless. As mentioned a little earlier, it's been an even game and both teams will probably feel that they could be ahead. We should have an entertaining second half on our hands.
The majority of Newcastle's best play came during the opening 15 minutes. Shelvey saw a well-stuck effort saved by De Gea, while Perez hooked a 25-yarder marginally wide of the post. The Magpies could not maintain that pace, but it at least showed the visitors that they were in for a game.
United's two best chances went the way of Martial, who was denied by an excellent block by Dubruvka from close range before glancing a header wide of the target. Lukaku also had an effort deflected over the crossbar during the final seconds before the break.
We've not seen a whole lot of Sanchez. He has had his moments in his one-on-one battle with Yedlin down the left but it's so far so good as far as the American full-back is concerned.
It's time for the two teams to make their way back out at St James' Park. It doesn't look like we will be getting any alterations at this stage.
KICKOFF! Man United get us underway.
Unlike in the first half, the visitors have taken control of the early stages of this half. Newcastle are already packing players into the defence.
Man United are making a number of quick, short passes in and around the penalty area and Newcastle are having to be so careful not to commit a foul. The visitors are very much in the ascendancy.
Really unlucky from Newcastle. Lingard commits a foul and Shelvey quickly takes the free kick. The move ends with the midfielder almost getting on the end of an inswinging cross but De Gea comes out to claim.
Lukaku has the ball in the net but the Belgian is guilty of pushing Lejeune in the back before directing his header into the corner from close range.
Sanchez almost scores a cracking opener. The former Arsenal man danced past a couple of defenders inside the penalty area before seeing his shot deflected into the side-netting.
CHANCE! A mistake from Shelvey allows Lukaku to play in Sanchez. The attacker takes the ball around Dubravka - who gets a knee to the face for his troubles - but Lejeune gets back to prevent the ball from finding the back of the net.
Dubravka is back to his feet but I am assuming he is a bit dazed. That was a hefty whack. We still await the first alterations of this match. Benitez may sit tight while the scoreline remains as it is.
Newcastle have spent a large portion of this game by packing the defence, but they are not playing on the break. At times, they are pressing their opponents and it is resulting in rushed clearances. One goal will probably settle this match, but don't rule out the home side.
Still, it's fair to say that this game could do with some more action in the final third. Defences are well and truly on top. It looks like it is going to result in changes from Mourinho.
BOOKING! The first booking in this game is for a defender who has dived. Football has changed. Smalling tried to buy a foul out of Shelvey but the referee was having none of it.
GOAL! Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United (Matt Ritchie)
Newcastle take the lead! The resulting free kick is headed down for Gayle to flick the ball into the path of Ritchie, who makes no mistake from 12 yards after being left all on his own.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Mourinho has made his double change. Pogba and Lingard have been brought off, with Carrick and Mata being introduced in their place.
SAVE! United almost net an immediate equaliser. Young drifts inside from the left flank and his shot has plenty of pace on it, but Dubravka makes a strong save to his left.
Twenty minutes to go. Newcastle need a win to move outside of the relegation zone and Man United need a win to effectively maintain any chance of remaining in the race for the Premier League title. Expect the visitors to remain on the front foot.
Unsurprisingly, Newcastle are now set up to try to see this game out. Everyone is behind the ball. It's giving Carrick the chance to have plenty of the ball, which may not be a smart move.
Still no movement on the Newcastle bench. Benitez is satisfied with how things are going. They surely can't go the full 90 minutes without making a switch though. They've put in a helluva shift.
SUBSTITUTION! Man United's final change sees McTominay replace Matic.
CHANCE! This is unbelievable! The ball falls invitingly for Martial inside the penalty area - he's no more than eight yards out. However, the forward sees TWO goalbound strikes blocked by Newcastle defenders.
SUBSTITUTION! Benitez finally makes a change, with Joselu being introduced for Gayle.
We are into the final 10 minutes now and Man United are starting to pile on the pressure. A draw would still be a good result for Newcastle but if they can hold on here, it could be hugely significant for the rest of their season.
SUBSTITUTION! A second change for Newcastle sees Atsu replace Kenedy. The visitors continue to have the better of the play at St James' Park but Newcastle are still holding firm.
Jones commits a needless foul on Joselu and it leads to Newcastle getting a breather. Mourinho wasn't too impressed with that. Four minutes to go.
BOOKING! Now Valencia fouls Atsu on the touchline. The right-back had every right to go for the ball but he has kicked Atsu full in the face. More time for a breather for Newcastle.
Shelvey has been class for the most part of this match and he manages a situation in the corner perfectly by winning as throw-in off Valencia.
There will be four minutes of added-on time.
Man United win a corner on the left flank but the outswinging delivery has too much pace on it and goes out on the far side.
It's corner after corner for Man United. Things are getting nervy for Newcastle! Ninety seconds to go.
SUBSTITUTION! A final alteration for Newcastle sees Hayden come on for Perez.
SAVE! Oh my word. Dubravka has just made a worldie of a save to deny Carrick from close range.
FULL TIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United
The full-time whistle goes at St James' Park and Newcastle have somehow held on to register a memorable win over Man United. Ritchie's goal did the damage but their defence - and new goalkeeper Dubravka - deserve most of the credit after a resilient showing. Newcastle are now outside of the relegation zone, two hours after falling back into it!
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
