Following today’s clash between Newcastle United and Manchester United, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Newcastle United hosted Manchester United at St James’ Park for a 2.15pm kick off on Sunday February 11, with the hosts taking a one nil victory courtesy of a second half strike from Matt Ritchie.
It was Newcastle’s first win at home since October and the victory pulled them out of the bottom three, Manchester United are now 16 points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Teams:
Newcastle:
Dubravka, Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett, Ritchie, Shelvey, Diame, Kenedy (Atsu 84), Perez (Hayden 90+4), Gayle (Joselu 80).
Substitutes:
Murphy, Manquillo, Merino, Darlow.
Man Utd:
de Gea, A Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young, Pogba (Carrick 66), Matic (McTominay 77), Martial, Lingard (Mata 66), Sanchez, R Lukaku.
Substitutes:
Lindelof, Rojo, Romero, Shaw.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Craig Pawson blew the final whistle, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez explained.
‘We worked as hard as other games, but against a team like Manchester United every ball is important, they can punish you, so you work like them. Amazing effort. They are dangerous, but the teamwork we showed to fight for every ball was amazing. I am pleased for the players and the fans. Because we won here at home. We had games in past when conceded late. We got lucky with some shots, but we showed the character, the commitment and the desire today.’
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho in his comparative interview explained.
‘My verdict is we could’ve been here for 10 hours and not scored a goal. Newcastle played with their lives and defended with their lives. They got from us a defensive mistake and from a lateral free-kick they scored. The gods of football were clearly in their side. They must have an amazing feeling after giving absolutely everything. We had some chances with the score at 0-0. Alexis had an open goal and then the countless opportunities of the last 20-25 minutes. The double miss of Martial is incredible in the last minute.’
