Newcastle 0 - 3 Manchester United: United accept early goal gifts

Manchester United secured their fifth win in seven Premier League games as victory at Newcastle sent them second. Starting the day seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea, it was vital for the visitors to pick up three points, and two headers from corners in the first 15 minutes set them on their way. Jonny Evans was first to make the net bulge before fellow defender Patrice Evra repeated the trick moments later. Tom Cleverley made it 3-0 when he curled the ball into the top corner. The midfielder might have been trying to find Robin van Persie at the far post, but the ball flew out of the reach of home keeper Steve Harper and into the goal. While the goal may have had a touch of good fortune, there was nothing lucky about the Old Trafford club’s overall display. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were rampant in the opening quarter, helped by some amateur Newcastle defending at set-pieces, and twice went close before the first goal. Danny Welbeck, who played furthest forward in a three-man attack featuring Wayne Rooney and Van Persie, was first to try his luck but struck a woefully tame shot from six yards.Sir Alex Ferguson was a happy man as he watched Manchester United take full advantage of Newcastle’s generosity to climb into second place in the Barclays Premier League. United were handed a flying start as the Magpies’ makeshift defence crumbled horrifically on two occasions inside the opening 16 minutes to allow first Jonny Evans and then Patrice Evra to head home. Alan Pardew’s men rallied in determined fashion and might have been back in the game five minutes into the second half, but Demba Ba’s header came back off the bar and Papiss Cissé’s follow-up was clawed on to the post by keeper David de Gea with the home contingent claiming the ball had crossed the line. But Tom Cleverley’s 71st-minute strike from long range ensured the visitors avenged their 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park last season in fine style.