Man United vote can’t stop Newcastle as Bruno Fernandes stunned

Man United vote can’t stop Newcastle as Bruno Fernandes stunned – 5 things
Ciaran Kelly
7 – 9 minutes

Newcastle United have moved within just a point of third place following a 4-1 win against Manchester United at St James’ Park.

Sandro Tonali opened the scoring midway through the first half with a well-taken strike, but Alejandro Garnacho equalised from close range just a few minutes later. However, the second half had not long got under way when Harvey Barnes put Newcastle back in front after getting on the end of Jacob Murphy’s cross and the forward made it 3-1 just a few minutes later with a brilliant finish. There was still time for captain Bruno Guimaraes to add a fourth after a howler from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir at the back.

Here are five things we learned.
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Staff go wild as Newcastle do Eddie Howe proud

You suspect a grand team talk was not needed from assistants Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones. Players and staff alike will have been desperate to deliver a result for Eddie Howe after the Newcastle boss was admitted to hospital late on Friday evening. This was a chance to do the 47-year-old proud. They certainly did.

Newcastle took the lead with just their first shot on target in the 24th minute. Kieran Trippier fizzed the ball into Alexander Isak’s feet and the Newcastle striker took a clever touch before hooking the ball over the head of countryman Victor Lindelof. There was Sandro Tonali to latch on to it and lash the ball home. Safe to say Tonali meant that one.

Newcastle had chances to grab a quickfire second – Sandro Tonali fired wide from distance, Alexander Isak was denied by Altay Bayindir and Dan Burn saw a header loop on to the roof of the net – and Manchester United made the hosts pay for not taking them. There were 37 minutes on the clock when Newcastle lost the ball and Diogo Dalot galloped away and slipped in Alejandro Garnacho. The Manchester United forward still had a lot to do but he managed to poke the ball past Nick Pope and in off the post. It was a sucker punch and Manchester United very nearly landed another right before half-time when Pope had to be alert to get a hand to Garnacho’s effort.
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Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United scores his team’s second goal

However, Newcastle did not panic. The second half not long got under way when the Magpies retook the lead. This time Tino Livramento skipped away from Dalot down the left and drilled the ball to Jacob Murphy at the back post. Murphy quickly hooked the ball back across and there was Harvey Barnes to finish to make it 2-1. Cue wild scenes on the touchline as an elated Graeme Jones hugged Jason Tindall.
Harvey Barnes steps up to plate

Harvey Barnes had just put Newcastle back in front, but the forward was not done yet. Barnes capitalised on a slip from Noussair Mazraoui midway through the second half and raced past three red shirts before firing the ball past Altay Bayindir. It was a powerful finish that the watching Alan Shearer would have been proud of.

Barnes, in the process, became just the second Newcastle player to score a double against Manchester United in the Premier League. The other? Shearer.

Barnes has certainly stepped up to the plate in Anthony Gordon’s absence, having been directly involved in five goals in his last four league games. Although Gordon was fit enough to come on on Sunday, on this evidence, Barnes looks undroppable right now.

Harvey Barnes
‘There’s only one Bruno’

There was still time for captain Bruno Guimaraes to get in on the act. With a quarter of an hour to go, Altay Bayindir, on his first Premier League appearance, hit the ball straight at Joelinton and it bounced into the path of countryman Bruno, who coolly slid it past the helpless Manchester United ‘keeper.

By that stage, Manchester United players looked like they wanted to board the coach home but there was still time for a Geordie send-off for a stunned Bruno Fernandes, who was wildly jeered and whistled after his number went up late on before Newcastle fans broke into chants of ‘There’s only one Bruno!’

Newcastle even had the luxury of taking off Kieran Trippier, Joelinton, Bruno, Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak long before full-time. That’s how comfortable the Magpies were.

Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 4-1
Geordies have last laugh

In a way, this was a rather fitting afternoon for Wor Flags to pay tribute to Kevin Keegan. Newcastle, after all, ended up putting Manchester United to the sword – just as Keegan’s side did during that famous 5-0 win in 1996.

These sides certainly have history. Andy Cole’s move. *That* 12-point lead. Keegan ‘loving it’ Alan Shearer coming home. Roy Keane throwing a punch – and missing. Newcastle’s painful cup final defeats nearly a quarter of a century apart. Eddie Howe telling his players to ‘f—— give it to them!’ No wonder Dan Burn once readily admitted: “For a long time, we have always disliked Manchester United.”

In truth, Manchester United have had other fish to fry over the years, other sides to battle for major trophies, but this feels like a new era – despite the Red Devils joining others in voting through APT rules following Newcastle’s takeover. After years of red dominance, Newcastle will finish above Manchester United for the second season running; the Magpies have won five of their last six meetings against the Red Devils; and Howe’s team have completed their first top-flight double over the visitors since 1931.

Newcastle United’s Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali scores the opening goal against Man United

The away end may have taunted ‘Where’s your famous atmosphere?’ when they were level, but it was Geordies who had the last laugh as they chanted: ‘You’ve seen United – now f— off home’.
Another step closer to Champions League nights

It was one thing Chelsea drawing at home against Ipswich Town before this game – quite another the Magpies taking advantage. However, that’s what Newcastle did as the black-and-whites recorded a fifth straight win in all competitions.

As good as Newcastle have been on the road, this season, the hosts had not recorded back-to-back home wins at St James’ since January. Having tasted defeat against Bournemouth, Fulham and Brighton in all competitions in 2025, turning this stadium into a fortress again, regardless of the opponent, was crucial ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. Win that game in hand and Newcastle leapfrog Nottingham Forest into third with just six matches to go.

No wonder Geordies are dreaming. This was an afternoon where ‘Is this the way to Barcelona?’ was sung once more.