Geordies have last laugh as Magpies do Eddie proud

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

- By CIARAN KELLY Football writer

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.

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.