Newcastle United produced arguably their best performance of the season in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at St. James’ Park on Monday.
The Magpies outclassed Ralf Rangnick’s side for much of the 90 minutes and will have felt hard done by not to have come away with all three points.
Allan Saint-Maximin handed Newcastle an early advantage, which was held until 20 minutes from time when Edinson Cavani stabbed home an equaliser.
Jacob Murphy hit the post late on, while David de Gea was in fine form between the sticks for Man United to ensure the points were shared.
Newcastle remain 19 th in the table, two points adrift of safety, although they have played more games than each of the teams around them.
Here is how the national media reported the game.
‘They deserved all three’ - Mail Online
Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail said: “Newcastle were superb for Eddie Howe. Finally, their supporters can hope. They didn't deserve a point from this, they deserved all three. That they didn't take them was due largely to the brilliance of United's goalkeeper David de Gea and, right at the end, the thickness of a post.
“When they scored early on through the fabulously entertaining Allan Saint-Maximin, it felt as though the home team would face a mighty struggle to hold on.
“United had not played for two and a half weeks and were at full strength. But that was not how this game played out.
“Howe's Newcastle were energetic and full of ideas and menace. United, on the other hand, were full of mistakes.”
‘As good as they have played all campaign’ - The Telegraph
Luke Edwards of the Daily Telegraph said: “Manchester United were largely awful, as bad as they have been all season. Newcastle were mainly excellent, as good as they have played all campaign. But in this tale of two Uniteds a draw was just as unsatisfying for both, given where they need to be in May.
“Newcastle were superb, a high octane, clever performance that was easily the most impressive sign yet of what manager Eddie Howe is trying to get his team to be. They were hostile in the stands and on the pitch, putting Manchester United under pressure from the start.
“They varied their attacks, pressing the visitors in the first half, then countering cleverly in the second.
“They were powerful in midfield, where the rejuvenated Joelinton was superb and more impressively, a defence that had leaked more goals than anyone else in the top flight were disciplined, brave and organised at the back.
“It was a game they deserved to win but football is cruel and this has been the story of a sorry season. It is one victory in 20 games in all competitions, they remain in the bottom three and have played fewer games than the teams above them.”
‘De Gea pulled off a spectacular save’ - Mirror
Nathan Ridley of the Daily Mirror said: “Although two of their XI had changed, the second half began in similar fashion.
“Newcastle got in behind the Red Devils' back line and the ball found its way to Saint-Maximin.
“But the winger squared the opportunity to make it 2-0, instead seeing De Gea pull off a spectacular save to deny St James' Park of further jubilation.
“10 minutes later, the United goalkeeper had to be alert again to deny Ryan Fraser from close range and keep his side in the game once more.
“But De Gea's most important intervention came in the 88th minute, spectacularly saving a sure winner from Miguel Almiron.
“Him shining while his teammates slump is a theme the Old Trafford faithful have become all to used to seeing.”
