Manchester United 0 - 1 Newcastle United: Misery for Moyes

Manchester United manager David Moyes leaves the pitch after his teams 1-0 defeat. Picture: PA

United were beaten by his former club Everton on Wednesday night and have collected just two points from their last four Premier League games.

The United boss admitted his side did not take their chances yesterday but he continues to insist that, with some hard work, the results will come.

Moyes said: “I’m disappointed with the result. I think we needed a bit of luck to go for us and opportunities to take them a bit better for us and that didn’t happen.

“We’ve lacked a little bit of creativity at the right times and when we’ve a chance to win some passes but not quite made them.

“We’ve lost the two games 1-0 and both have probably been slightly against the run of play we’ve lost them and that happens, we have to expect that here.

“So we have to create more chances and more opportunities and play better. That’s the way to do it.

“There will be [light at the end of the tunnel] because it is that transitional period, which was always going to be the case. We hoped it wouldn’t be quite as poor as it’s been in the last few games but, hopefully, we’ll get that right.”

It was the first time United had lost back-to-back home Premier League games since 2002. They have lost five times already this season. Little wonder the reaction at the end was one of anger from the home supporters, who watched virtually the same group of players they booed off clinch a 20th title by 11 points less than seven months ago.

Newcastle keeper Tim Krul pulled off a decent save from Phil Jones in the early stages but had little else to do in the first half.

Fabricio Coloccini made an excellent clearing header to prevent Nemanja Vidic getting to Adnan Januzaj’s cross, while the young Belgian was robbed in the box brilliantly by Yoan Gouffran. And, other than a blatant dive by Javier Hernandez, that was that for the hosts.

Remy slid a brilliant pass through to Mathieu Debuchy, whose thunderous first-time shot was turned away one-handed by United goalie David de Gea. De Gea moments later repelled a Debuchy header to ensure United reached the break level.

After the interval, Krul saved from Hernandez and Januzaj before Evra met a Nani corner with purpose and sent a header bulleting against the post.

Vurnon Anita had no chance to react as the rebound struck him on the hand from barely six inches. As the ball was flashing across goal and the diversion helped take it away to safety, a penalty surely should have been awarded. Instead referee Andre Marriner waved play on, just as he did when Cheick Tiote cut down Evra close to the Newcastle goal-line moments later.

Incidents like these tend to be followed by a hammer blow and Cabaye duly provided it when Patrice Evra’s clearing header bounced back off Moussa Sissoko, who ran into the area before cutting back a perfect cross to invite Cabaye’s first-time finish, albeit via slight deflection off Vidic.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was delighted with his side’s victory, which ended their 41-year wait for an Old Trafford win and moved his side up to sixth in the table.

He said: “One of the top [moments in charge], obviously, 41 years we’ve been waiting to win here as a club.

“It was a magnificent performance but I know we probably won’t get the headlines because poor  old United and David [Moyes]. . . difficult result for them.

“A great day for Newcastle United and our fans, it really is.”