Manchester United vs. Newcastle: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Manchester United dispensed with the challenge of Newcastle United on Boxing Day, beating the North-East contingent 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney's first-half brace essentially sealed the deal, and Robin van Persie made sure with a second-half header. Papiss Cisse grabbed a consolatory strike from the spot late on, but the Magpies failed to mount a comeback.
Here, B/R picks its winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Ashley Young, Who Continued His Great Form in Defence
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Ashley Young was again impressive at left-wing-back for Manchester United. But for the goal-scoring Wayne Rooney heroics, he would have been a strong choice for Man of the Match.
His crossing from the left has been brilliant throughout December, and Newcastle failed to clamp him and stop the supply. Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie both blew numerous chances after great play from the Englishman to set them up.
How no one has realised that Young cutting in and curling a right-footed cross is a very dangerous thing to allow, we're not sure.
Loser: Remy Cabella, Who Knows His Place After Another Snub
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Alan Pardew had a dilemma ahead of this one, as Cheick Tiote's yellow card against Sunderland ruled him out of the fixture due to suspension. It was a case of either moving Moussa Sissoko into a deeper role or replacing Tiote directly, and the choice—a replacement—compounded Remy Cabella's frail position in the squad right now.
Vurnon Anita, who had not started since late October previously, came in and played the full 90 minutes. Cabella was once again an impact substitute—a common role for him after struggling to adapt following his move from Ligue 1—and is on the outside looking in every week.
Winner: Radamel Falcao, Whom the Home Fans ADORE
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Pre-existing concerns over Radamel Falcao surrounded his work ethic and the fact that if he wasn't scoring he wasn't doing much.
But his all-round game has been better than advertised—perhaps, in fact, we should say that his finishing ability hasn't quite reached the legendary billing designated instead—and he buzzed around brilliantly against Newcastle United.
He doesn't stop moving and drops in to join in with buildup play. It's clear he wants to succeed at Old Trafford, and his impressive work rate has endeared himself to the home crowd.
Loser: Referee Mike Jones, Who Dropped a Clanger (again)
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Mike Jones is in the middle of a season plagued by errors, and he's quickly garnering a reputation for all the wrong reasons.
At Old Trafford on Friday, he opted not to give Newcastle United a penalty after Juan Mata accidentally tripped Yoan Gouffran in the box. Intention or no intention, it was a foul and should have been given.
Shortly after, the Magpies' resistance broke, and by half-time, they were done. Moments change games, and Jones played a part here when he shouldn't have.
Winner: Wayne Rooney, Who Played an Exceptional Match
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Wayne Rooney is looking more and more like Frank Lampard every week. No, he hasn't had another hair transplant, but he's completely at home in a flat central midfield role.
With Juan Mata, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao playing ahead of him, he's been given a box-to-box-esque role in order to link play. United, not by coincidence, now look far better in transitions, and Rooney's late runs have produced numerous goals.
His two first-half strikes were goals a centre-forward probably can't score because he can't make the run so late. As an overload player, he's such a weapon.
His ball in to Van Persie for his side's third was pure brilliance, and he was even back heading cross clear in his own box.
