Newcastle beat Manchester United in a league game at Old Trafford for only the second time since 1972 to condemn their hosts to a third straight home loss in all competitions for the first time in more than 60 years.
Not since Sir Matt Busby’s days in the 1962-63 season have Manchester United lost three home games in a row in all competitions.
But early goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton gave Eddie Howe’s men a thoroughly deserved victory that left them fifth in an impressive end to 2024.
Newcastle have won their last four Premier League games, with the excellent Isak taking his tally to 12 and his recent strike rate to eight in six games, with six in successive games.
In contrast, the home side were abysmal.
Head coach Ruben Amorim replaced forward Joshua Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo in the 33rd minute, confirmation that he had got a starting line-up that paired veterans Casemiro and Christian Eriksen together in midfield hopelessly wrong.
Marcus Rashford was brought back onto the substitutes bench, but despite watching his side slide to a fourth successive defeat in all competitions and fail to score for the third game on the trot, Amorim opted against introducing the England man into the fray.
United end the year in 14th place, seven points above the relegation zone. What was once was humorous jibing about a fight to avoid the drop is now a little too close to comfort – and league leaders Liverpool lie in wait at Anfield on Sunday.
