Why Match of the Day pundits were left 'gobsmacked' after stunning Newcastle United win over Man Utd
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Newcastle United beat Manchester United 2-1 in dramatic fashion at St James’ Park on Wednesday night as Will Osula scored a spectacular stoppage-time winner.
Despite being down to ten men for over half of the match after Jacob Ramsey was shown a second yellow card for simulation, the Magpies continued to stay on the front foot and were deserved winners. The win ended Newcastle’s worst form since 2021 and a run of three straight home defeats in the Premier League for Eddie Howe’s side.
Howe will hope the result can encourage his side ahead of a tough run of fixtures with Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday evening before Barcelona arrive at St James’ in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday.
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Match of the Day pundits react to Newcastle’s win vs Manchester United
Osula’s cameo proved to be the difference for the Magpies after he was subbed on in the 85th minute. His late strike was worthy of winning any game and Danny Murphy, speaking on Wednesday’s Match of the Day, was left ‘gobsmacked’.
Speaking about Osula he said: “He’s a young lad but he’s got some talent as we can see. He nearly loses his balance but regains his composure and when he comes inside we were gobsmacked that he had managed to whip it in from there,” Murphy said.
“It’s a wonderful goal and he’s not going to sleep tonight by the way. When you score goals like that in the last minute of games you don’t sleep very well.”
Murphy also gave a special mention to Aaron Ramsdale who had replaced Nick Pope in the starting eleven and made an outstanding save from a Joshua Zirkzee strike. “What a save that is from Ramsdale [on the Zirkzee shot]. He’s been brought back into the team and justified his selection,” Murphy said.
Despite being delighted with the result, Eddie Howe felt the red card shown to Jacob Ramsey was harsh and felt his midfielder had not tried to con the referee. Both Murphy and Micah Richards agreed: “He just loses balance doesn’t he? That’s all it is,” Richards said.
“When the ball goes through he makes a terrific run and the keeper may have touched but he just loses balance. It's as simple as that. It’s not a second yellow card, he doesn’t deserve to get sent off.”
Murphy added: “I'm all for punishing simulation. I think that's the best thing we can do but that’s harsh. He's not trying to get a penalty, he doesn't elaborate with the dive or extenuate his movement, he just loses his balance.”
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