Use Your Head: Newcastle 0 Manchester United 3

Jonny Evans' header put the Reds in the lead just eight minutes from kick-off

Image retrieved from The Telegraph UK

Goals of the Game

Newcastle: --

Manchester United: Evans (8'), Evra (16'), Cleverley (71')

Despite the expectations, this fixture turned out overall to be a one-sided game as Manchester United shocked Newcastle at St. James Park, with the Reds winning 3-0.

An open game was the order of the day for the first five minutes, with both sides having their share of possession. At the eight minute, it was a supposed to be a routine corner kick for United when Newcastle suddenly had a snooze in their defense, allowing center-half Jonny Evans to move forward and head in a cracking opening goal. The same story would happen in as much the same time, when it was Evra who was allowed to move forward and head in the Red Devils' second goal.

Much of the second half remained goal-less but not in any way quiet. A string of challenges and tackles provided a great entertainment for the neutral spectator, with the referee making a series of bookings. United on the nervy defense and Newcastle on the frustrated attack had players like Van Persie, Ferdinand, Tiote and Gutierrez all getting yellow cards.

Evra celebrates as he heads in the second goal for Manchester United

Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK

Newcastle picked up the notch in the second-half, dominating much of the possession, but lacking the finishing touch. The silent hush in the crowd pretty much told their fear: "It wasn't Newcastle's day today." Newcastle came close to getting one back from a corner when Ba attempted to get a goal on the rebound but De Gea saved it. Replay showed the ball, or parts of it, crossed the line. A tough call for the linesman. Still, the Toons fought for every ball and forced the Manchester side into defense until a break saw United win one free kick from 25 yards. Like the Evans goal, it was supposed to be a routine cross, but Harper got a lax a bit too much and the Cleverley's ball flies past Van Persie, past Rooney, and into the back of the net, clinching the third goal for the Reds.

The rest, as they say, was history.

Rooney is pretty much today's man of the match, though Jonny Evans is a very, very close second. Both did exceptionally well on the ball, both in offense and defense. This is a shock for Rooney, who doesn't exactly like playing deep. Still, he took the role well, and did his side a lot of good.

Patrice Evra also noticeable in this game, especially after a string of sub-par performances.

The combination of Cleverley and Carrick is proving to be a winner thus far, being able to deflect a lot of goals as the partnership grew.

From a series of recent not-so-good performances, United did very well in this game, against a formidable side, too. Not to mention that the Manchester side got two goals from two corners, a rare feat. The Reds go into the second international break back at the top 3, surely a good sight for Sir Alex Ferguson.