El Matador preserves Rangnick’s unbeaten record against the possessed Magpies

It was a true Premier League classic at St. James’ Park as Newcastle United held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw in a mighty fun game. Both teams feel that they could have gotten all three points but a draw was probably a fair outcome after an action-packed 90 minutes. The black and whites took the lead early on through their French magician Allan Saint-Maximin, but Red Devils remained unbeaten thanks to a scruffy goal by the substitute Edinson Cavani.Newcastle are desperate for results having won just a single game all season. They are still in the relegation zone and were facing a difficult opponent in Champions League spot-chasing Manchester United. Saint-Maximin can be inspiring and frustrating in equal measure but tonight he gave the Magpies a perfect start. His compatriot Raphael Varane made a mess of when he ended a counter-attack with a curling shot that flew into the net past the frozen David De Gea. Ralf Rangnick team looked shell-shocked and needed at least 20 minutes to really start playing at St. James’ Park and begin to apply pressure on Newcastle’s back four. Runs of Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo caused a lot of discomfort for the black and whites, who relied heavily on their attacking players to track back and close the opponents down.The home side lost their best goalscorer Callum Wilson just before the break due to what looked like an ankle injury. The Englishman had actually had the ball in De Gea’s net a few minutes prior but was rightly denied for offside.Rangnick introduced Cavani and Jadon Sancho in place of Fred and Greenwood at the break to try and add some urgency to his attack. But it was Saint-Maximin at the opposite end who’s had a glorious chance to double the lead. Newcastle’s Swedish right-back Emil Krafth created some space on the right and swung a low cross into the box. It evaded everyone and fell right on the Frenchman’s boot with goal at his mercy. However, the former OGC Nice winger’s effort was tame and straight at De Gea. The visitors survived the scare.El Matador Cavani reminded everyone of his unique predator instinct when he beat Martin Dubravka from close range at the second attempt. It wasn’t a pretty goal, but it was deserved after a period od visitors’ pressure. The veteran Uruguayan had a glorious chance to score another just a few minutes later when Dubravka hesitated in claiming a low ball, but the Magpies’ captain Jamaal Lascelles was alert to clear it off the line.Newcastle gave it a good go to win it at the death, but Jacob Murphy hit the post with a curling shot and De Gea made a classy save to keep Miguel Almiron out seconds later. It ended 1-1 as the hosts lamented their missed chances to get one over against Ronaldo and Co.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 19Liverpool – Leeds United POSTPONEDWolverhampton – Watford POSTPONEDBurnley – Everton POSTPONEDSundayTottenham – Crystal Palace 3-0 (2-0)/Kane 32, Moura 34, Son 74/West Ham – Southampton 2-3 (0-1)/Antonio 49, Benrahma 64 – Elyounousi 8, Ward-Prowse 61, Bednarek 70/Norwich – Arsenal 0-5 (0-2)/Saka 6, 67, Tierney 44, Lacazette 84 pen, Smith-Rowe 90+1/Manchester City – Leicester City 6-3 (4-0)/De Bruyne 5, Mahrez 14 pen, Gundogan 21, Sterling 25 pen, 87 – Maddison 55, Lookman 59, Iheanacho 65/Aston Villa – Chelsea 1-3 (1-1)/James 24 og – Jorginho 34 pen, 90+3 pen, Lukaku 56/

Brighton – Brentford 2-0 (2-0)/Trossard 34, Maupay 42/MondayNewcastle United – Manchester United 1-1 (1-0)/Saint-Maximin 7 – Cavani 71/***odds are subject to change

Powered by Live Score & Live Score App