Newcastle v Man United live: Osula scores late screamer as 10-man hosts cling on to inflict first defeat on Carrick

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The Independent

·4 Maret 2026

Newcastle v Man United live: Osula scores late screamer as 10-man hosts cling on to inflict first defeat on Carrick

Substitute Will Osula's goal made the difference on a dramatic night at St James' Park (Getty Images)

Substitute Will Osula inflicted a first defeat as Manchester United boss on Michael Carrick with a superb solo goal late in the second half of a dramatic encounter at St James’ Park.

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Newcastle were reduced to 10 men in a breathless end to the first half as Jacob Ramsey received a second yellow for simulation, with Anthony Gordon putting the hosts in front moments later from the penalty spot after United captain Bruno Fernandes fouled him in the box.

The England international slotted a composed strike straight down the middle but United ensured they went into half-time level as Casemiro scored a header from a Fernandes free-kick.

Despite being a man short the Magpies were the better team throughout the second half, and finally got their reward as Osula - who has been a bit-part player this season - turned super-sub with a sublime goal on the counter in the 90th minute.

United threw everyone forward but were unable to claw one back and a run of 11 games unbeaten came to a juddering halt, while Newcastle have now won their last four home games in succession against the Red Devils.

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Newcastle provide hope for season ahead as Carrick’s biggest Man Utd problems become clear

So much can change in a year, and yet sometimes nothing changes at all. Just ask Eddie Howe, who is now fresh off the back of yet another home win against Manchester United that will provoke mixed feelings about the season Newcastle United have produced.

This victory might be the sweetest of all, a controversial Jacob Ramsey red card meaning the hosts had it all to do but a magnificent William Osula winner meaning it goes down as one of the great nights at St James’ Park.

Full report from Chris Wilson at St James’ Park:

Newcastle provide hope for season ahead as Carrick’s Man Utd problems become clear

Newcastle United 2-1 Man Utd: A superb William Osula goal gave 10-man Newcastle a deserved win as Carrick’s side struggled in midfield and attack

Chris Wilson4 March 2026 23:39

Osula 'needs to believe in himself a bit more' - Aaron Ramsdale

And now for Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who certainly played his part with some excellent saves tonight. On Osula’s winner, he says: “I just carried on running, almost fell over and saw the net rippled. I did a knee slide on my own. I'm delighted for him, he's got every attribute, he needs to believe in himself a bit more but he's done it tonight and he's won us the game.”

On his performance, he says: “Really enjoyable. I've had opportunities which it's been tough to get this year and hopefully today I've helped with this man to get three points and it's about kicking on, and we wanted to be resilient and with 10 men we may as well have had 13 men with the crowd. It's been an excellent night for us.

“I think I saw a stat that we've not had a free midweek since the November international break. We've been down to our bare bones, at time we've been working as hard as we can, haven't got the results. We've got some huge games to look forward to and that's what the fans want, it's what we want as players. We're not going to complain about it but we need to stand up and be counted for now.”

'Newcastle deserved to win' - Michael Carrick

He continues: “Why was the character lacking? It wasn't. It was just the quality and the performance. Not the character. We wanted to win. It's easy to throw that out when you don't win a game of football.

“We weren't there in terms of quality. Credit to Newcastle. They deserved to win tonight. It hurts me to say that but that's how it was. We need to get back to working and be better for the next game.

“We've lost one game, we haven't played well enough but in the grand scheme of things but we are in a good position.

“We have to learn from it and get better for it. We had a lot of praise lately and the boys deserve it, this doesn’t change how we approach the next game. We’ve got everything to play for.”