Newcastle United ended Michael Carrick’s unbeaten spell as interim boss of Manchester United in dramatic fashion, with William Osula’s 90th-minute wondergoal sealing a 2-1 triumph at St James’ Park.
Carrick had been on course to become only the third United manager to avoid defeat in his opening 10 league matches, following Herbert Bamlett in 1927 and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018-19. With Liverpool suffering an unexpected loss to Wolves and Aston Villa falling 4-1 to Chelsea, United were also aiming to strengthen their grip in the chase for a top-four Premier League spot.
They appeared well placed after a frantic first-half stoppage period that extended to nine minutes, despite just three initially being indicated. Bryan Mbeumo squandered a clear opportunity before Jacob Rachael already on a booking went to ground under Senne Lammens’ challenge and received a second yellow card for simulation.
Newcastle capitalised impressively. Anthony Gordon won a careless foul from Bruno Fernandes on the left edge of the box and calmly converted from the penalty spot. Fernandes responded by delivering a pinpoint free-kick for Casemiro to head in before the interval, but the visitors struggled to build on that equaliser after the restart.
Late on, United pushed harder. Aaron Ramsdale denied Leny Yoro with a sharp save and then pulled off an acrobatic stop to keep out Joshua Zirkzee. However, Osula had the final word.
Set free down the right flank by Kieran Trippier, Osula skipped beyond Tyrell Malacia and bent a superb effort past Lammens from the corner of the area, prompting jubilant scenes inside the stadium.
Data Debrief: Newcastle strike late once more
After Jordan Pickford’s outstanding save thwarted them in stoppage time against Everton in their previous outing, Newcastle were not to be denied on this occasion. The Magpies have now netted three match-winning goals in the 90th minute or later this season — also doing so against Fulham in October and Leeds in January.
It marks just the third campaign in which they have managed as many late winners in a single Premier League season, matching 2007-08 and 2012-13. Meanwhile, United have now let in 10 last-minute winning goals in the competition’s history, with eight of those arriving across the past four seasons.
Osula became the eighth Newcastle substitute to score a 90th-minute Premier League winner, and the first from any side to achieve that feat against United. Remarkably, it was his only attempt of the match, with the opportunity valued at just 0.06 expected goals.
Despite Newcastle claiming the expected goals battle 2.22 to 1.28, the contest also featured a rare disciplinary moment: Ramsey became the first Premier League player since Yves Bissouma for Tottenham in 2023 (against Luton) to be dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for simulation.
