Newcastle United recorded their fourth straight Premier League win after a 2-0 victory over struggling Manchester United at Old Trafford.
First-half headers from Alexander Isak and Joelinton lifted the high-flying Magpies to fifth place, while condemning Ruben Amorim’s side to a third successive league defeat.
Just over three-and-a-half minutes had elapsed when Isak nodded home his 12th goal of the season from Lewis Hall's cross.
Joelinton made it 2-0 inside the opening 20 minutes, while Sandro Tonali hit the post as the visitors went close to extending their lead.
Although their opponents improved as the contest wore on - Harry Maguire striking the woodwork with the hosts' best opportunity - Eddie Howe's side were never in genuine danger of surrendering their advantage.
Newcastle climb to fifth and within three points of fourth-place Chelsea, who were beaten by struggling Ipswich Town at Portman Road, while the Red Devils remain 14th.
GET INNNNNN!pic.twitter.com/cTyqDHNiao
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 30, 2024
Data Debrief: Magpies revel in rare Old Trafford triumph
Newcastle claimed only their second Premier League win at Old Trafford, 11 years after Yohan Cabaye sealed a 1-0 victory under Alan Pardew.
Pardew was also in charge the last time the Magpies won four straight Premier League matches without conceding in April 2012.
Scoring for a sixth straight game, Isak took his tally of goals in December to eight; more than any other player in the Premier League.
As for Man Utd, they will end New Year’s Eve in their lowest position at the turn of a year in the league since 1989, when they ended that year in 15th and eventually finished 13th.
The Red Devils have also lost three consecutive home league games for the first time since February 1979, while they have lost three consecutive Premier League games within the same season for the first time since December 2015 under Louis van Gaal.