In the Barclays Premier League title race at Sports Direct Arena on 4th January 2012, Newcastle United performed brilliantly and won 3-0 Manchester United at home without a reply from the champions. The easy winning keeps Newcastle in seventh place in the EPL table this season and just one point behind sixth-placed Liverpool. In surprisingly one-sided match, Newcastle got a goal-tally by a strike from Demba Ba at 33’, a rocket-like free-kick from Yohan Cabaye at 47’ and a calamitous own goal from Phil Jones at 90’ which ended a miserable night for the visitors. The victory marks Newcastle’s 18-match winless and Man Utd’s second consecutive league defeat after the shock 3-2 reverse to Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford on New Year's Eve. The Red Evils are now three points behind leaders Manchester City on the standings.
Reeling from their loss to Blackburn, Manchester United struggled to find chances to have a goal. However, the players found the situation worse by a goal from Demba Ba and a fantastic free-kick from Cabaye. Man Utd did create one chance through Wayne Rooney but Jones’ own goal ended their chances of keeping up with league leaders Manchester City. Meanwhile, Newcastle started the game brightly and built up their opening chance of the game.
The Senegal international Demba Ba, who played his final game for the Magpies before jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations for Senegal, scored the first goal at 33rd minute and contributed to the second in the clash against MU. Ba hooked home a stunning volley on 33 minutes to set the ball rolling after somehow outfoxing Rio Ferdinand in the area and sending a volley spinning over the despairing dive of the recalled Lindegaard.
1-0 Demba Ba goal vs Manchester United 33′: Demba Ba beats Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and hooks it pass goalkeeper Anders LIndegaard at 33’
Newcastle United vs Manchester United 3-0 highlights: Ba’s fine strike gives Newcastle a 1-0 lead. United's defender Rio Ferdinand had no answer to the likes of Ba on 4th January 2012 clash
Newcastle doubled their lead on 47 minutes thanks to Yohan Cabaye's stunning long-range free-kick. The second goal was a expensive free-kick to give away while Yohan Cabaye curled it into the top corner off the bar.
2-0 (Yohan Cabaye goal vs Manchester United 47′): Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye score his side's second goal
3-0 ( Phil Jones own goal Man Utd 90′): Phil Jones totally slipped three points behind league leader Manchester City as Phil Jones made a calamitous own goal in the 90th minute. Manchester United will take on their neighbours and main foes Manchester City in the third round on Sunday
Newcastle vs Manchester United 2012 highlights: Players celebrate after Phil Jones finds his own net in last minute of the match
MU boss Sir Alex Ferguson speaks to Alan Pardew during the clash
Newcastle United vs Manchester United 3-0 Highlights 04/01/2012
Related links:
Manchester City vs Manchester United 2-3 Highlights 8th January 2012
Newcastle United vs Manchester United 3-0 Highlights 4th January 2012