Newcastle United put 'classless' Erik ten Hag and Manchester United to the sword as they underline Champions League intentions

NEWCASTLE: "No time-wasting required" was the post Newcastle United's official Twitter chose to mark what felt like a hugely significant victory over Manchester United.

It was an acknowledgement of rather odd pre-match comments, ones which also proved a pre-cursor to February's Carabao Cup final, made be Red Devils' boss Erik ten Hag.

And while it felt in many ways a petty jibe, it was right. This was no win attributed to the dark arts, it was one built of grit, determination, energy, pace and class. Ten Hag should take note of the last bit.

Second half strikes from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson made sure it was the 'real' United, the one formed of two clubs - Newcastle East End and West End back in 1892 - that emerged from an entertaining, engrossing encounter on St James' Park with all three points.

That win, Newcastle's third on the trot in the Premier League, sees them rise to third in the Premier League - and with just 10 games left to play, their Champions League destiny is very much in their own hands.

Eddie Howe stuck to the same side who served him so well down in the land of Robin Hood, as side looked to rob yet more points from the traditional Premier League rich.

Despite the return to the squad of Joelinton and Anthony Gordon, Howe retained Jacob Murphy and Allan Saint-Maximin down the flanks - and it was that duo who had particular joy.

An attack down Murphy's right opened the door for an Alexander Isak header which was saved by De Gea, then the follow up from Willock was fired straight at the body of the sprawled Spaniard.

Sean Longstaff was next to go close as his rasping strike from the edge of the area went inches past the post as Newcastle remained firmly on the front foot.

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