Newcastle beat Manchester United to put pressure on Jose Mourinho

Manchester United appear certain to have conceded defeat in the Premier League title race after a disappointing loss to Newcastle United, Matt Ritchie scoring the only goal of the game.

It was United’s second successive defeat on the road. Mourinho’s players rarely looked likely to bring that run to an end in another hugely disjointed display as Manchester City went 16 points ahead in the league race.

Chances were scarce throughout the contest but Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez wasted clear openings, while Romelu Lukaku had a goal disallowed, before Ritchie capitalised on some slack defending in the 65th minute.


Newcastle made a bold start against a team they last beat at home in the top flight in January 2012, but the visitors did get a grip on possession soon. But their attacking play lacked inspiration, with Jesse Lingard producing their first shot on target 32 minutes in.

Martial wasted a big chance before the break, though, racing through one-on-one against Dubravka after a brilliant Nemanja Matic pass, only to shoot straight at the keeper.

The visitors did have the ball in the net 52 minutes in but Lukaku was penalised for a push on Florian Lejeune as he headed into the net, although Mourinho’s men were at last beginning to look a consistent threat.

Sanchez came close with a good run and shot but wasted the best chance of the match 56 minutes in, rounding Dubravka after collecting Lukaku’s throughball only to see Lejeune block his goalbound effort after he paused in front of an empty net.

It proved a costly miss. After Chris Smalling conceded a free-kick for diving near the halfway line, Shelvey sent a simple long ball into the box, Gayle cushioned a loose ball into Ritchie path and he swept home completely unmarked from 12 yards out.