Newcastle hammer Man Utd to boost Champions League hopes

Newcastle's hopes of securing Champions League football for next season are fast turning into a reality after a 3-1 victory over Manchester United saw them go fourth in the Premier League.

After lifting the Carabao Cup last month to end 70 years without a trophy, the focus has been firmly on getting back into the Champions League for Newcastle, and after Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Ipswich on Sunday afternoon, they had a golden chance to move into the top four.

It was a chance they weren't going to pass up as Harvey Barnes' second-half double saw Newcastle surge past Manchester United, who have now lost 14 league games so far this season, to claim a fourth straight win in the Premier League.

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Newcastle, who were without Eddie Howe in the dugout due to illness, went ahead in the 24th minute after Alexander Isak brilliantly teed up Sandro Tonali, who emphatically volleyed past Altay Bayindir.

Manchester United were rocking and needed Bayindir, making his Premier League debut in place of the dropped Andre Onana, to deny Isak before Dan Burn's header landed on the roof of the net. However, the visitors found a way back into the game as Alejandro Garnacho finished a slick counter-attacking move to bring the scores level.

Ruben Amorim would have been dlighted with the character his side showed to respond, especially after their midweek exploits in Lyon, but he would not have been pleased with what followed as United collapsed after the break.

Barnes restored Newcastle's lead minutes after half time, tapping home Jacob Murphy's cross, before the former Leicester winger pounced on Mazraoui's slip to drive through the heart of the Manchester United defence and find the top corner.

Newcastle were overpowering Manchester United and the pressure told as Bayindir's sloppy pass allowed Bruno Guimaraes to add a fourth as Newcastle completed a first league double over United in 94 years.

After a victory that will provide a tonic for Howe, who was hospitalised on Friday after feeling unwell, Newcastle move a point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest and have the chance to go two points clear in third when they host Crystal Palace, live on Sky Sports, for their game in hand on Wednesday.

For Manchester United, who handed 18-year-old Harry Amass a full debut, attention now turns to next Thursday's Europa league quarter-final second leg against Lyon at Old Trafford as they look to keep their own Champions league hopes alive.

Amorim keen to focus on Lyon game

Amorim was keen to put the defeat behind him as he turns his attention to Thursday's game against Lyon.

On the defeat, he said: "Many mistakes. Newcastle were stronger in second balls. We did a lot of mistakes that made it harder to win a game. That's all.

"It's a little bit of everything. It's hard to point to one thing. It's really hard to win against these top teams like Newcastle. When we make mistakes to help the opponent it's even harder. Let's focus on Thursday.

"I think you can see that we can do so much better. That's it. Let's focus on Thursday. All the mistakes we did today we cannot do Thursday."

On the criticism of his side, he added: "I understand [the criticism] but I don't care. Nothing is worse than losing games. People can say whatever they want to say. I don't want to defend myself or anything like that.

"If you look at our position in the table, it says it all. Thursday is really important. Losing games is the hardest part by far of this job. Let's focus on Thursday.

"Of course it's really important. We have a chance to get Champions League. It's an important game. It will be really hard. We have to focus on that and get to the next stage.

"We have a season like that, with difficult losses. We are used to getting up. Let's do that Thursday. It's a different game. We need to give something to our fans and to go to the next stage."

'Man Utd are physically and mentally a weak team'

Sky Sports' Roy Keane at St James' Park:

"It wasn't good enough in the second half from Man Utd.

"That's 14 league defeats now and we keep making excuses for the team.

"There aren't enough players that can run in the team and that want to run. They are not enough of a goal threat either.

"You've got to dig deep, even when you are up against it, and they didn't do that in the second half.

"We said at half-time that the big test was still to come for United. Newcastle are an outstanding side and they have got into a good habit in big games. Man Utd are the opposite.

"Man Utd are physically and mentally a weak team.

"Newcastle were too fast, too powerful and more determined. United couldn't deal with the pace up front from the attacking players and they got what they deserved.

"There was talk before the game on there being good signs for Man Utd and that they are getting better, but I can't see it. I just saw another poor performance, especially in the second half.

"It's not good enough and I worry for this group of players. They don't look like a strong group mentally."

Opta stats: Man Utd's difficult season continues...

Manchester United's 14 league defeats this season is their joint highest tally in a single Premier League campaign, also losing 14 games last season. The Red Devils last suffered more defeats in a top-flight campaign in 1989/90 (16 in 38 games).

Newcastle became the fourth side to do the league double over United this season (also Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham), the most teams to win home and away against the Red Devils in a league campaign since 1957/58 (4).

Since Amorim's first game in charge, only Southampton (59), Tottenham (53) and Leicester (53) have shipped more goals in all competitions than United (48) among Premier League clubs.

They have also gone 1-0 down in 19 Premier League games this season with only Leicester (27), Southampton (21) and Wolves (20) doing so more often. It's also the joint most games the Red Devils have conceded first in in a single Premier League campaign alongside 2013/14.

Tindall: Toon put in a performance to make Howe proud

Newcastle United assistant manager Jason Tindall revealed to Sky Sports he received a message from Howe after the game.

"I've just seen a message from him before I came to do the press, congratulating the performance of everyone on the team," Tindall said.

"He was able to watch it and I'm sure that left him in good spirits.

"He trusted the decisions that we made. We've been working together for a long time and we were able to communicate early on in the week.

"I think he put his trust in everybody to go and put in a performance that he'd be proud of, and lads certainly did that.

"The most important thing is his health and that when he comes back he is fit and ready."

'Newcastle are in the driving seat for a Champions League spot'

Sky Sports' Roy Keane:

"Newcastle are in the driving seat for a Champions League spot now. They have got good options off the bench. Their attacking players have been on fire. This is where you find out about your squads.

"Newcastle have got used to winning big matches. I think they will deal with the pressure and I think they have a great chance now. They are in the driving seat."

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