Newcastle continue their search for a second Premier League win of the season after they surrendered their lead to share a point with Manchester United at St. James' Park on Monday night in the last fixture for Gameweek 19.
The Magpies put in an impressive performance, leading the game for 63 minutes after going ahead through Allan Saint-Maximin in the 7th minute, before Edison Cavani equalled things in the 70th minute.
Due to injuries and Covid-19 cases in the team, Manager Eddie Howe was forced to make six changes to his side that lost to Manchester City. Ralf Ragnick was without Viktor Lindelof, who suffered a pain in their last match and the Swede was replaced by Raphael Varane in one of the two changes to the United side.
Seven minutes into the game, the hosts were already ahead. Varane lost the ball in his own half allowing Sean Longstaff to pounce and feed Saint-Maximin, who drove in to his right foot and sent a curler into the far post, leaving David de Gea rooted.
The Spanish international would however, produce a fine save in the 23rd minute to deny Jonjo Shelvey after the former Liverpool man made his way to the dge of the United box, before unleashing a stinging effort.
The home side continued to mount pressure and found the back of the net against as the first half drew to a close. Saint-Maximin's cut back was fed to Calum Wilson, who slotted past De Gea. The celebrations were cut short as the offside flag went up and VAR rightly confirmed this.
De Gea's opposite number, Martin Dubravka was also called into action in the closing stages of the first period. He made himself big enough to deny Mason Greenwood from a Bruno Fernandes free kick, before denying the Portugese himself late into the half.
Eddie Howe was dealt a big blow before half time as he saw talisman, Wilson forced off with an injury and was replaced by Jacob Murphy.
Ragnick also dipped into his bench at half time and made two substitutions at the start of the second period, bringing on Edison Cavani and Jadon Sancho for Greenwood and Fred respectively.
Newcastle continued to create the better chances ans should have been two ahead when Emil Krafth drove from the throwing line into the byline to send a cross across goal, which was met by Saint-Maximin, but his touch lacked power and De Gea could make an easy reaction save.
The brightest light for the visitors came from the boots of Marcus Rashford few seconds later as he hit an effort from about 25 yards out that called Dubravka into action. Thereafter, De Gea made saves from Ryan Fraser and Joelinton to keep the game within arm's reach for the visitors.
With 19 minutes left on the clock, United were back on level terms through Edison Cavani. The old war horse was second time lucky after he scuffed his first effort from a Dalot cross before scoring on his second attempt that deflected off the boot of Jamal Lascelles.
The home side almost got the winner late on when Jacob Murphy dazzled on the left before letting one fly from the edge of the box, which came of the base of the post. The rebound was gathered by Miguel Almiron, who picked his spot on the top left corner, but was denied by a sterling De Gea save.
The host eventually also lost Saint-Maximin to injury as United tried to snatch the win with Dubravka almost aiding them when he dropped a routine catch that Cavani couldn't punish.
Concluding Thoughts
Eddie Howe must feel impressed about his side's performance. Even though they may not be where they want to be yet as they still lie 19th on the log, it was an improved outing against a team that they have lost 10 times to from winning positions.
Their fans could also have felt that they deserve whole three points and must pick the positives from the game to execute the rest of their season if they are to stay up.
Allan Saint-Maximin once again showed glimpses of what a star he could be in the right team and should Newcastle drop, he may be one of the candidates that may plucked from St. James.
United fans were really roused on the arrival of Ralf Ragnick and while they may acknowledge that they have only just conceded their first league goal under the German, it was not anywhere near a decent performance from the Reds.
The struggled to string passes together, so much that their main players, Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo caught frustrated figures all through the game.
Thanks to David de Gea, the scoreline could have been worse as he continues to do his job rescuing vital points for his team despite his several critics.
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