Erik ten Hag has described Newcastle United as “annoying” for some time now but Manchester United’s manager did not perhaps bargain on Eddie Howe’s side becoming much more than a nuisance quite so quickly.
Confirmation that Newcastle are now serious rivals when it comes to the all important matter of Champions League qualification arrived as second-half goals from the excellent Joe Willock and the substitute Callum Wilson helped Howe’s team leapfrog their guests as they rose to third in the Premier League. Granted Manchester United are level on points but their goal difference is distinctly inferior.
