- 86'
Great ball over the top and Welbeck has got the other side of Coloccini. His touch is heavy and Krul comes to claim, but that was a close shave.
- 86'
Santon bursts away again and he's been bright. However, his final ball lets his down and United break.
- 85'
Newcastle dropping deeper and just looking to hold onto their lead.
- 84'
Giggs with an arrowed diagonal ball, but Coloccini comes across and heads away. He has been very impressive all night.
- 83'
United are pushing for a goal now and even Rio is up there looking for scraps.
- 82'
Best charges in on Lindegaard. He very nearly closed him down but the keeper hacks clear just in time.
- 81'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Tiote hauls back Carrick after he was dispossessed.
- 80'
Best was pushed, but there was no foul and Hernandez is caught offside with the chipped ball over again.
- 80'
Santon with a great defensive header as Giggs floats the ball in. Ba again holds it up and keeps the ball. Great work.
- 78'
Krul comes and punches away from over Hernandez. Coloccini gets ahead of Welbeck to stab the ball away.
- 77'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Cabaye off, Perch on. A little defensive move from Pardew there.
- 77'
Hernandez offside again and he's offered little since his arrival. Not too many openings for the Mexican so far.
- 76'
Good pressure from Newcastle again and Ba is excellent at holding the ball up. He's almost tricked Evra, but the ball drops to Tiote. Cries of 'shooooooot' but he tries a pass and fails.
- 75'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ameobi off, Best on. A fresh striker on for the Toon.
- 75'
So that's it for Wayne. Newcastle about to change things as well.
- 74'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Rooney off, Anderson on.
- 74'
Hernandez is through, but is called offside. Not much in it.
- 74'
Good possession from the home side though. They are trying to keep the ball away from the reds as much as possible.
- 72'
Newcastle are back in numbers and leaving Ba up front to chase and hurry Rio and Jones.
- 72'
The longer the game goes on, the calmer Toon fans will get. Amoebi is still a target man and Taylor crosses for Ba, who heads just wide.
- 71'
Jones can't believe that the decision has gone against him. It's only a throw though and he's going mad. Must be careful as he's on a booking.
- 70'
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- 70'
Ameobi is causing Jones all sorts of problems. He is so strong and powerful that he's winning everything in the air.
- 68'
Ferdinand almost misjudges there as Ba closed over the top. He should have headed clear, but almost sent the striker through. Just managed to get it clear.
- 68'
Krul launches the ball into the box, but United defend well and Welbeck looks to break.
- 68'
Hernandez gets a touch, but runs it out of play and is looking frustrated with his team-mates already.
- 67'
Taylor chips in a corner and Lindegaard claims with ease.
- 66'
Tiote is evidently ok, as he threads the ball to Amoebi after making a tough tackle on Rooney.
- 65'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Park off, Hernandez on. Fergie is going for it now. Rooney back into midfield.
- 65'
Tiote is down injured, which is a worry for Newcastle. Looks like a thigh strain.
- 64'
Park's cross is headed out by Williamson and Newcastle are holding firm under immense pressure at the moment.
- 64'
All United at the moment. Newcastle can't get a foot on the ball.
- 63'
Evra chips it over and Rooney can almost get there. Krul does well to run out and claim just before the striker arrived.
- 62'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0104/anderslindergaardforyohancabayegoal20120104_275x155.jpg"><br>Lindegaard is beaten by Cabaye's effort.
- 62'
The best spell from Man Utd by some way... Welbeck has made a difference already.
- 61'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Valencia goes in the book for knocking over Gutierrez. Persistent fouling I think.
- 61'
Giggs crosses and finds noone. That was a killer cross. United are on fire at the moment.
- 60'
Carrick finds Giggs, who slips Park in. His square ball finds Coloccini who hammers it away. That could have easily fallen to a red shirt.
- 60'
United will pour forward now. That was very close and there's still a lot of the game left.
- 59'
Park also had a chance as Welbeck's flick set up the first and his cross almost found the Korean. Simpson once again has come to the rescue. He saved a certain goal.
- 59'
Valencia works an opening and crosses well. Rooney hesitates and can't get on the end of it. Then it comes back to him and Simpson clears off the line. What an escape!
- 58'
Cabaye puts in a tough tackle on Evra and is lucky not to go in the book.
- 57'
Krul has to come and claim as Nani looked like he might get on the end of a through ball there.
- 57'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Berbatov off, Welbeck on.
- 56'
Fergie is readying his subs. Changes are afoot.
- 56'
Newcastle are pressing high and Evra almost loses the ball to Ba with a careless pass. United are struggling for invention at the moment.
- 55'
Great corner and Lindegaard gets under it. Williamson is there again and he heads over. Probably should have done better against Berbatov.
- 54'
Taylor's corner finds the head of Williamson but the chance disappears as it was just too high. Valencia needed to get a touch to stop the defender getting in at the far post.
- 53'
Ameobi causing problems in the air again. He's doing very well with the flick ons that United just can't seem to deal with.
- 52'
Rooney and Giggs dropping deep and Valencia's cross flies over everyone's heads.
- 52'
Newcastle haven't won against Man Utd in 18 games by the way, so this would count as a shock.
- 52'
A delay, but he looks ok. No subs as yet.
- 51'
Cabaye is taking a well earned drink as Taylor is down injured. Pardew issuing instructions to his side.
- 50'
Nani thinks he can change things and smashes the ball at Krul from 35 yards. It was bobbling, but fairly easy to claim.
- 49'
Ba is running riot up front and Ameobi gets free. the ball is swung in and Lindegaard claims it in front of the attacker.
- 49'
A great start for the Magpies. That really will give them a shot in the arm, but they cannot relax.
- 47'
Lindegaard got a fingertip to it, but not enough to keep it out. The ball bounced over the line, and didn't go into the net, but no-one questioned. That was incredible.
- 47'
That was about 25 yards out, and cannons in off the bar. Very central, but he bent it into the top corner. What a goal!
- 47'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Cabaye!!! What a free-kick!!
- 47'
A great run from Ameobi opened up the space there and Ba went right at it. A chance for Cabaye or Taylor now...
- 46'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Jones can't stop him though and checks him off the ball. Foul and in the book.
- 46'
Ferdinand immediately robs Ba with a big foot in there.
- 46'
<B>KICK-OFF</B> Manchester United start us off again and they really need to step it up.
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Only twice in the last seven seasons have Man Utd lost two consecutive Premier League games. They are on course to do it again unless Fergie's hairdryer treatment changes things.
<i>ESPNsoccernet reader Stefan says: "mufc has been out muscled, out run, out passed, out shot and out scored in the first half!"</i>
Don't forget that's it's transfer time and <a href="http://blogs.soccernet.com/onthemove/" target="_blank">there are plenty of deals going through now in On the Move</a>. United may need someone soon?
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0104/dembabascoresvmufc20120104_275x155.jpg"><br>Ba hooks the ball home.
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<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0104/dembaba,sholaameobicelebvmufc20120104_275x155.jpg">Ameobi celebrates with Demba Ba.
- 45'
<B>HALF-TIME: Newcastle 1-0 Man Utd</B>. Ba's goal has been the difference and Man Utd will be frustrated with this half. Not enough has happened for them up front and Alan Pardew will be a very happy man.
- 45'
Ba has a shot from a long way out, but it dips and falls safely into the hands of Lindegaard.
- 45'
Valencia ploughs in on Gutierrez and gets the ball away from danger.
- 45'
Ba has the ball at his feet and tries to thread Ameobi through. He just didn't read the pass and it went through to Lindegaard.
- 45'
Two added minutes...
- 44'
Newcastle can be very pleased with their half's work. They have bossed part of the game and held firm when United took control. Ba's goal was sublime too.
- 44'
It was pretty central as well. More can be expected of someone who can hit a free-kick like he can.
- 43'
Long delay, but finally Taylor hits it and it flies over the bar.
- 42'
Five United players are still around the ref. Ryan Taylor looks like he might fancy a shot at goal here...
- 42'
Lovely ball up to Ba. He gets his shot away, but Giggs' tackle comes in. It was a foul and United cannot believe it.
- 41'
Nani bursts into the area with a good turn of pace, but Cabaye comes across and clears the ball. That could have been dangerous.
- 40'
Santon loses it and Nani gets away, he could slot Rooney in but holds up the ball and the tackle comes in. Coloccini eventually gets it clear.
- 39'
Valencia cuts inside and Berbatov tries to knock it round the corner for Giggs. Just out of reach.
- 37'
Rooney is robbed and Santon bursts forward again. Webb wants a word with Valencia as he brings him down.
- 36'
Poor pass from Taylor and United break. Giggs, Rooney and Nani link up but the Toon players get back and close them down.
- 35'
Ba, of course, will be keen to continue his fine goalscoring form again. Now Rio has seen what can happen if you give him any space.
- 34'
Now, how will United react? They have not had too many chances, but will need to get back level before half-time.
- 34'
A perfect team selection for that goal. That was exactly what Pardew wanted from Ameobi and Ba.
- 33'
A cracking finish and Lindegaard is beaten for the first time in the Premier League. The long ball was perfect, the flick on excellent and the finish sublime.
- 33'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Ba with a great goal! The ball was flicked on and Ba hooks it past Lindegaard.
- 32'
Pardew is out stalking his line. The crowd chant 'you don't know what you're doing' at Webb. They are feeling victimised.
- 31'
Jones charges out of defence, but he is stopped well by Tiote. The defender loves to do that, but he does leave a rather large gap when he does.
- 30'
Nani has space, but his final ball has been poor so far. It is again.
- 29'
The crowd are really getting behind their sides now. Noise is immense and the game is being played at a great pace.
- 29'
Ba comes back and sneaks away with the ball. He's good at both ends it seems.
- 28'
Rooney is yelling at Web for giving a free-kick. He should really be thanking him.
- 27'
Ba has a one-on-one with Jones, but the defender stands his ground and gets a foot on the ball. It spins out and the cross is headed over by Ameobi.
- 25'
That could have easily been given. Very clumsy from Ferdinand as Ba was going nowhere with his back to goal.
- 25'
Penalty shout! Ameobi takes it down and threads the ball to Ba. He is tripped from behind by Ferdinand and goes down. Webb waves it away.
- 24'
Newcastle break, but it's been them under the cosh in recent minutes. A few long balls and possession is back with United again.
- 23'
Man Utd starting to flow now and they have taken a stranglehold of possession.
- 23'
Giggs the creative hub again. And he's 48 you know...
- 22'
Very good chance and Rooney's control let him down. He will be very disappointed with that.
- 22'
Great advantage from Howard Webb and Giggs passes right through the middle to Rooney. He was onside, but stumbled and just lost control at the vital moment.
- 21'
Newcastle will be happy with the way the game has gone so far. They've had a few chances and have generally kept the opposition at bay.
- 19'
Rooney hammers it, but it deflects off the wall and behind for a corner.
- 19'
Handball from Cabaye and it's a free-kick a long way out. If Gardner can do it for Sunderland...
- 19'
Valencia away down the right. He's been a good outlet so far for United.
- 18'
Excellent flick from Ameobi. The ball drops and Cabaye picks it up to have shot. It cannons off Jones and goes out for a corner.
- 17'
Rooney getting more into the game, but Newcastle are defending in numbers in the middle and trying to stop him before he gets going.
- 16'
Valencia gets Nani away very cleverly. Nani is free and can't pick out anyone. Coloccini easily deals with it and that was a total waste.
- 15'
Lucky, but the closest that United have come to a goal so far.
- 15'
Oh, off the post! Good build up play and Berbatov heads Evra's cross off Santon. Krul looks beaten but it nicks off the edge of the post.
- 14'
Tiote breaking up the play well in the middle, but just fails to get Gutierrez away down the left. Manager Alan Pardew already making notes.
- 13'
Giggs now gets a cross in and it's defended well by Coloccini in front his own line.
- 12'
Best chance so far for United. Nani had a lot of time on the edge of the box and it was a tame shot by his standards.
- 11'
First chance for United. Evra gets away and cuts it back to Nani. The shot is blocked by Krul and, although he pushes it right out, he's able to get it back before Rooney pounced.
- 10'
Rooney and Berbatov really struggling up front at the other end. They've hardly had a kick.
- 10'
Ameobi had a good chance to slip in Taylor, but just couldn't get enough on the ball to turn it around the corner.
- 9'
Newcastle completely on top. Man Utd are struggling to get hold of the ball.
- 8'
Taylor long throw is headed out and Tiote smashes it back with interest. It was right at Lindegaard though, but that was travelling.
- 7'
Newcastle have had the two best chances so far and Ameobi is almost slipped in before Jones comes across to clear.
- 6'
Good save, although he saw it all the way there.
- 6'
Santon bursts away again, The ball comes in to Ba, who drops it back to Cabaye and his shot is saved down low by Lindegaard.
- 5'
Tiote goes in hard on Rooney. Nothing too serious, but just shows the striker who is boss.
- 4'
Wouldn't expect Ba, in the form he's been in, to miss something like that.
- 4'
Simpson crosses and it's Ba in the box who misses his shot. If he'd connected that would have been a great chance.
- 4'
Santon showing good pace and gets away down the left. Carrick drops back and makes sure he doesn't break through.
- 3'
Simpson with a long ball in, but Lindegaard is there to collect easily.
- 2'
Park gets it and runs at the defence. Williamson with a last ditch tackle to stop the Korean bursting through.
- 2'
Berbatov made to run and holds it up in the corner - surely not already? - loses out to Gutierrez.
- 2'
Giggs disguising a shot but Coloccini is there to stop it before it reaches Rooney.
- 1'
A huge long ball is wasted straight away. Oh dear. Might as well have let United kick off.
- 1'
<B>KICK-OFF</B>. Newcastle get us underway... it's very windy on pitchside.
Teams are out on the pitch and we're ready for kick-off.
United will be looking to bounce back after their shock 3-2 defeat to Blackburn. We're almost underway.
The Magpies will miss Tiote and Ba as they head off to the African Nations Cup at the end of the month. After such a good start, the club face a tough period to get through. Pardew must surely dip into the transfer market.
Another bad one for Magpies' fans is that United are the only team to have scored in every Premier League match so far this season.
Interestingly, after losing just one of 15 at St James' Park in 2011, Newcastle have lost two of three (one draw) since changing the name to Sports Direct Arena. Bad omen?
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You can follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/joncarterESPN" target="_blank">@joncarterespn</a>
In the last game in November, Man Utd mustered 29 shots to Newcastle?s 8. It finished as a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Rooney is, of course, in the spotlight. He's scored six goals in his last six appearances against Newcastle on Tyneside.
Meanwhile Newcastle match up 4-4-2 as well. Ameobi and Ba up front is formidable against a potentially shaky United defence.
So, some interesting teams from both sides. De Gea dropped, Rooney back. 4-4-2 it looks like with Roo playing off Berbatov.
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon, R.Taylor, Cabaye, Tiote, Jonas, Shola Ameobi, Ba.
Man Utd team: Lindegaard, Valencia, Jones, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Berbatov
And Jones has called on United's <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1004259/jones-calls-on-manchester-united-%27fighters%27?cc=5739" target="_blank">'fighters', to turn it around after defeat to Blackburn.</a>
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/1231/philjonesmanchesterunited_275x155.jpg">United are struggling for defenders, but Phil Jones will be there.
Join us at 2000 GMT to see if Manchester United can close the gap on rivals City with a win at Newcastle.
Man CityManchester City
