Ralf Rangnick’s side hadn’t played for 16 days due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the club and a lack of sharpness could perhaps be to blame for the hosts’ shock seventh-minute opener. Raphaël Varane, who last played on 2 November, was caught in possession by Sean Longstaff and the midfielder worked the ball out to Allan Saint-Maximin on the edge of the area. The winger weaved infield past Harry Maguire to poke home superbly, despite being off-balance and on the stretch.
Newcastle thought they had doubled their advantage on 38 minutes as Callum Wilson steered in following Saint-Maximin’s mazy dribble, but was caught offside. The contest then took a turn when Wilson was forced off just before the break despite briefly returning to the field. Rangnick had a lot of thinking to do and threw on Jadon Sancho and Cavani for Fred and Mason Greenwood at HT. However, it was the ‘Magpies’ who should have scored next. Emil Krafth’s cross landed at Saint-Maximin’s feet inside the six-yard box but the Frenchman could only guide his effort at David de Gea, who pushed it to safety.
Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure and got himself booked before Cavani restored parity. The Uruguayan’s shot from Diogo Dalot’s cross bounced straight back to the striker, who steadied himself before converting at the second attempt. Cavani could have doubled his goal afterwards as he dinked over Martin Dúbravka, but Jamaal Lascelles atoned for his earlier indecision to boot away. To compound matters for Howe, Saint-Maximin had to come off with a muscle injury of his own late on.
As the underdogs kept pushing, Jacob Murphy struck a post and Miguel Almirón saw his curler destined for the top corner kept out by De Gea in quick succession. The ‘Red Devils’ have now netted in 15 straight away trips in all competitions, while Newcastle ended a run of three losses on the bounce.
