Eddie Howe delivers 'really harsh' verdict minutes after Newcastle United win v Man Utd
Newcastle United 2-1 Manchester United: Eddie Howe has had his say on an ‘amazing night’ of football at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe felt his Newcastle United side deserved to beat Manchester United after scoring twice with 10 men to secure three points.
Jacob Ramsey was sent off for a second bookable offence by referee Peter Bankes at the end of the first half before Anthony Gordon put the Magpies in front from the penalty spot moments later.
Still, Newcastle were unable to hold onto their lead at half-time as Casemiro scored a header with one of the final touches of the first half.
Man United looked to make their numerical advantage count in the second half but it was Newcastle who punished them in the final minute of normal time as substitute William Osula broke down the right before curling a left-footed effort into the corner of the goal to secure a dramatic win.
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‘An amazing night’ for Newcastle United
Following the match, Howe told BBC Match of the Day: "An amazing night. It was a great performance all the way through. 11 v 11 or 11 v 10. I thought we deserved to win.”
It was a tough game to manage for Howe after the setback of having Ramsey shown a second yellow card for simulation, a decision Howe felt was ‘really harsh’.
"The main emotion was trying to work out how we'd play in that second half,” the Newcastle boss explained. “We wanted to regroup. I thought Jacob Ramsey's sending off was really harsh. I don't think he's looking for a penalty there.
"We knew we wouldn't have the majority of the ball and that we'd have to defend well. There have been a lot of questions about our defending lately, so it was a good opportunity to answer those questions and we did.”
The match saw Aaron Ramsdale come back into the side in goal in place of Nick Pope and make several important saves.
"At 10 men, you know your goalkeeper is going to have saves to make,” Howe added. “He's a top-class goalkeeper with really good experience.”
William Osula’s hard work in training pays off
But the moment of the game came in the 90th minute as Osula scored his fourth of the season and first match-winner for the club following his late introduction.
“He did 10 shots at the end of training and he wanted more,” Howe continued. “Fair play to him. It's the desire to repeat and to practice.
“He's delivered an amazing moment for the supporters here. It's a great moment for him and he deserves it. Hopefully it's a turning point for him.