Manchester United 4-1 Newcastle United REPORT

Manchester United 4-1 Newcastle United 

[ Premier League 2017-18 Match ] 

14′ 0 – 1 Dwight Gayle                   

37′ 1 – 1 Anthony Martial               

45′ 2 – 1 Chris Smalling                 

54′ 3 – 1 Paul Pogba                     

70′ 4 – 1 Romelu Lukaku               

Pogba returned from injury to inspire Manchester United to a 4-1 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford.

The France midfielder, fit again after a two-month absence, scored and set up another goal as United replied to Dwight Gayle's early strike to keep themselves eight points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Pogba created the equaliser for Anthony Martial before Chris Smalling put the hosts ahead. Pogba then increased the advantage and Romelu Lukaku made victory certain by ending his barren run.

United's night got even better when they were able to bring Zlatan Ibrahimovic, out since April with a knee injury, on for his long-awaited comeback in the closing stages.

The result meant United boss Jose Mourinho got the better of his old rival Rafael Benitez in their first clash for a decade.

Lukaku spurned the first chance when he headed over but Ciaran Clark was also off target at the other end.

Newcastle grabbed the lead in the 14th minute after DeAndre Yedlin broke clear down the right and pulled the ball back. Victor Lindelof, making his first league start for United, slipped and Gayle took advantage to fire in a low shot off the post.

It was the first home goal United had conceded in the league this season and a second almost followed as Jonjo Shelvey played in Jacob Murphy but he shot wide.