Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson arguing with the referees at half time regarding a decision involving an own goal by Jonny Evans
Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK
Starting Lineups (courtesy of Soccerway.com)
Goals of the Game
Manchester United: Evans (25'), Evra (58'), van Persie (70'), Hernandez (90')
Newcastle United: Perch (5'), Evans (OG 29'), P. Cisse (68')
Boxing Day was not the smoothest of days for the Red Devils, who had to recover from a controversial switcheroo decision, on top of having to draw level three times, in order to win against a resilient Newcastle side.
United's leaky defense immediately took center stage in the start of the first half. Newcastle's Demba Ba had a rocket shot from 25 yards parried poorly by David de Gea, with James Perch collecting the rebound. Newcastle would sit deep for some duration as United searched for the equalizer, which they did. A Van Persie free kick caused a scramble inside the box. Hernandez would take the first shot but the Toon's keeper Krul would punch it out, only to have Evans slot it in.
Man United defender Jonny Evans taps in the rebound to equalize. He would, however, net an own goal later.
Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK
Then the controversy came in.
Five minutes after Jonny Evans acquired the equalizer, Newcastle were on the counter-attack. Danny Simpson took a shot from somewhere in the 25-yard range when Papiss Cisse was called offside. Evans, however, tried to clear it, only to deflect it to his own net. The goal was disallowed at first, but after a talk between the referees, the goal had been given and Newcastle break for half-time leading the game.
After ruling it out, referee Mike Dean allowed the Evans own goal.
Image retrieved from The Telegraph UK
Patrice Evra powers in the ball to get United their second equlizer of the night
Image retrieved from The Telegraph UK
Patrice Evra literally kickstarted the second-half with a smashing goal at the 58th minute. After Tim Krul made a poor clearance, Evra pounced from the left wing towards the edge of the penalty area with gusto, and smashed the ball home. Cisse would be Newcastle's reply ten minutes later, after he controlled Obertan's cross and shot in from 15 yards. United would climb the mountain for the third time when United's prolific Dutchman, Robin van Persie, struck and hit the back of the net after a second attempt.
Papiss Cisse (most left, in light green) drives in a magnificent goal that put his side on the lead for the third time in the night
Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK
Robin van Persie's goal helped United draw level for the third time
Image retrieved from The Telegraph UK
United was on the prowl. Hernandez would knock on Krul's door twice with two headers, to no avail. Then came the magic moment, the ultimate proof that the Red Devils are the Ultimate Comeback Kings. Michael Carrick's cross put the ball on Hernandez' foot. From there, the Mexican talisman would bolt the ball in and score the winning goal for the reds.
Chicharito kicks in the emphatic winning goal for Manchester United. Full time score was 4-3.
Image retrieved from the Stretford End Arising Facebook Page
While the red side of Manchester celebrated in their exhilarating triumph over Newcastle, the blue side was mourning. Somewhere in the Northeast, Sunderland just beat Manchester City 1-0, with the former City player Adam Johnson scoring the emphatic winner.
Boxing day came to a close with Manchester United refusing to be boxed in. They fought and cemented their place on the top of the league with seven points clear over their rivals Manchester City.
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