Ten-man Newcastle inflicted Michael Carrick’s first defeat as Manchester United boss when substitute William Osula struck a superb 90th-minute winner to seal a 2-1 victory at St James’ Park.
Newcastle had been reduced to 10 men in chaotic first-half stoppage time when Jacob Ramsey received a second yellow card for simulation after going down under a challenge from United goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Ex-referee Mike Dean later said Ramsey was “unlucky” and it did not appear to be a dive.
The stoppage-time sequence unfolded as follows:
– 45: Fourth official shows at least three minutes added on.
– 45+1: Ramsey sent off for simulation (second yellow).
– 45+5: Newcastle awarded a penalty after Bruno Fernandes fouled Anthony Gordon.
– 45+6: Gordon scored from the spot to put Newcastle ahead.
– 45+9: Casemiro headed in United’s equaliser from a Fernandes free-kick.
Despite United briefly regaining parity through Casemiro’s header, Newcastle posed more danger in a second half that exposed Manchester United’s lack of quality and cohesion under Carrick. Aaron Ramsdale made several important saves to keep Newcastle in the match before Osula, who has featured rarely this season, curled in a stoppage-time winner — becoming the first substitute to score a 90th-minute Premier League winner against Manchester United.
The result keeps United third despite the loss; Newcastle rise to 12th. The defeat is Carrick’s first as interim boss after winning six of his first seven games in charge.
Player ratings (selected):
Newcastle — Ramsdale 8, Trippier 8, Tonali 8, Gordon 8, Osula (sub) 8.
Man Utd — Lammens 6, Casemiro 7, Fernandes 8. Player of the Match: William Osula.
Michael Carrick (to TNT Sports): “We’re not happy with the way we played tonight. We had it in our hands largely but credit to Newcastle. I don’t think it was the 10 men — we just didn’t play good enough. Bitterly disappointed. We all take responsibility.”
Eddie Howe (to TNT Sports): “We did really well in the first half, combining and playing as a team. I felt we deserved to lead at half-time. After the setback, there was real collective mental strength to regroup and produce the second half that we did.”
William Osula: “That was the best feeling ever. When I came on I prayed I was going to score. I was practising that finish in training and I’m happy the hard work paid off.”
Reaction and context:
– Former striker Clinton Morrison praised Howe and Newcastle’s mentality, saying the players “run through brick walls” for their manager and were outstanding on the night.
– Opta noted Jacob Ramsey is the first Premier League player to receive a second yellow for simulation since October 2023. Osula became the eighth Newcastle substitute to score a 90th-minute Premier League winner, and the first substitute to do so against Manchester United in the competition. This was the 10th time United have lost to a 90th-minute winning goal in the Premier League, eight of those in the last four seasons.
The match highlighted frailties in United’s recent performances and added pressure on Carrick to restore quality, while offering Howe and Newcastle a morale-boosting end to their recent run of home defeats.