Evra (58)
van Persie (71)
Hernandez (90)
Old Trafford
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 75,596)
Evans (28, OG)
Cisse (68)
Man Utd 4 Newcastle 3
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At Old Trafford
Manchester United 4 (Evans 25, Evra 58, Van Persie 71, Hernandez 90)
Newcastle United 3 (Perch 4, Evans og 28, Cisse 68)
Newcastle United suffered a last-gasp, heartbreaking 4-3 defeat away at Manchester United in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
In a real Christmas cracker of a fixture, the Magpies led three times over the course of a remarkable afternoon, before being pegged back by the league leaders.
And just as it looked as though they had earned an outstanding point on their travels, the hosts snatched victory in injury-time.
James Perch had given Newcastle a shock early lead before Jonny Evans levelled things up for the Red Devils.
Centre-back Evans then put into his own net and Patrice Evra fired in from distance as the sides remained locked together.
Papiss Cisse swept home the visitors' third but once more the teams were level as Robin Van Persie netted.
And just as the clock ticked past the 90-minute mark, Javier Hernandez fired in a volley to send more than 70,000 Red Devils fans wild.
The result was harsh on Newcastle, who had been exceptional all afternoon and stood toe-to-toe with Manchester United throughout, but they will take plenty of positives from a fantastic performance.
The visitors got off to the perfect start as they broke the deadlock inside four minutes.
Michael Carrick's heavy touch in the middle of the park presented the ball to Ba, who strode forward before hitting a low, long-range 20-yard strike.
On a slick surface, De Gea could only palm it into the middle of the penalty area where Perch, reacting quickest to the loose ball, was on hand to stroke home his first Magpies goal.
The goal stunned Old Trafford into silence - apart from a noisy pocket of travelling supporters in the corner - and the closest Manchester United came to responding in the opening exchanges was when Antonio Valencia latched on to a Paul Scholes lofted ball, but was unable to control his volley at the far post.
Newcastle weren't content with one goal, however, and in the 17th minute a looping Fabricio Coloccini header almost caught out De Gea, with the stopper backpedalling before clutching the effort at the last moment on his goalline.
The Red Devils levelled things up midway through the half as centre-back Evans struck from close range.
Robin Van Persie's free-kick wasn't cleared properly, and although Tim Krul saved well with his leg to deny Javier Hernandez, Evans stabbed into the empty net from a couple of yards.
But on an astonishing afternoon, Newcastle weren't to be subdued by the equaliser and promptly edged back in front within three minutes.
Danny Simpson picked up the ball on the right and drove it across the face of goal, where Evans turned from hero to villain as he stuck the ball into his own net, under pressure from Papiss Cisse.
The goal looked in doubt following a raised assistant's flag, ruling Cisse offside, but referee Mike Dean decided the front man was not interfering with play and allowed the Magpies' second of the afternoon to stand.
And they weren't done there. Left-back Davide Santon stung De Gea's palms from 25 yards before Marveaux curled an outstanding free-kick over the wall and against the crossbar, with the keeper motionless.
Hurt by their first half performance and the scoreline, Manchester United came straight out of the blocks after the break and Van Persie volleyed a Ryan Giggs cross well wide.
And they were level for the second time in the afternoon as Evra drove home from the edge of the box. The Magpies could only half-clear Van Persie's corner from the right, and when it reached Evra, he found the bottom corner with a low shot that snuck past Krul.
Some teams would sit back and defend a point away at Old Trafford. Not Newcastle.
Instead, manager Alan Pardew made a substitution of attacking intention, bringing on winger Gabriel Obertan in place of Gael Bigirimana, and it paid dividends almost immediately.
Obertan received the ball wide on the left and raced down the line before cutting back into the path of Cisse, who duly swept the ball home.
The visitors had the lead for the third time but it lasted just three minutes as Van Persie fired Manchester United level yet again.
The Dutch international saw a first attempt brilliantly parried by Krul, but when the ball reached him a second time he made no mistake, guiding it into the corner.
Still Newcastle pressed, and De Gea did well to hold a fierce low strike from Marveaux, while at the other end, Van Persie sent a volley inches the wrong side of the upright, and Hernandez grazed the outside of the post with a diving header.
And in keeping with a remarkable contest, Sammy Ameobi almost snatched a late, dramatic winner. WIth five minutes remaining, the substitute strode past a couple of challenges and shot out of De Gea's reach, only to see it hit the foot of the post and bounce straight into the arms of the grateful stopper.
As you would expect, Manchester United produced a late surge of pressure, and Krul was at his best to stop - and hold - a header from Hernandez, which could have snuck in.
And that pressure was to pay dividends with just seconds remaining as Michael Carrick clipped a delivery into the box, which was met by a clinical volley from Hernandez to break Newcastle's hearts.
Manchester United (4-4-2): David De Gea; Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra (c); Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes (Tom Cleverley 69), Ryan Giggs; Javier Hernandez (Darren Fletcher 90), Robin van Persie
Subs not used: Anders Lindegaard, Alexander Buttner, Scott Wootton, Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Tunnicliffe
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; James Perch, Gael Bigirimana (Gabriel Obertan 65), Vurnon Anita; Papiss Cisse (Sammy Ameobi 80), Demba Ba (Shola Ameobi 71), Sylvain Marveaux
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Shane Ferguson, Adam Campbell
Referee: Mike Dean (The Wirral)
Bookings: Manchester United - Evans (36), Hernandez (38), Valencia (53); Newcastle United - Williamson (43), Simpson (61), Cisse (64)
Attendance: 75,596
Foul by Antonio Valencia(Man Utd) on Vurnon Anita(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) on Robin van Persie(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Rio Ferdinand(Man Utd) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Shot by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by David De Gea(Man Utd).
Foul by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) on Rio Ferdinand(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken right-footed by David De Gea(Man Utd) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Man Utd substitution: Javier Hernandez replaced by Darren Fletcher (tactical).
Goal by Javier Hernandez(Man Utd) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from left side of penalty area (6 yards).Man Utd 4-3 Newcastle. Assist (cross) by Michael Carrick(Man Utd) from right channel.
Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra(Man Utd).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Header by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) from right side of penalty area (6 yards), over the bar.
Header by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by David De Gea(Man Utd).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Header by Javier Hernandez(Man Utd) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle) left-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed left.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle) on Javier Hernandez(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Patrice Evra(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ryan Giggs(Man Utd) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Foul by Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle) on Antonio Valencia(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Michael Carrick(Man Utd) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (12 yards), save (caught) by David De Gea(Man Utd).
Foul by Antonio Valencia(Man Utd) on Davide Santon(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Tom Cleverley(Man Utd) on Vurnon Anita(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Header by Javier Hernandez(Man Utd) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) left-footed from left side of penalty area (6 yards), missed right. Newcastle substitution: Papiss Cisse replaced by Sammy Ameobi (tactical). Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by David De Gea(Man Utd).
Shot by Javier Hernandez(Man Utd) right-footed from left channel (12 yards), blocked by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Cross by Patrice Evra(Man Utd), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (caught) by David De Gea(Man Utd).
Foul by Michael Carrick(Man Utd) on Davide Santon(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Antonio Valencia(Man Utd) right-footed from right side of penalty area (6 yards), missed right.
Attacking throw-in by Chris Smalling(Man Utd).
Shot by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Patrice Evra(Man Utd). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to near post, save (punched) by David De Gea(Man Utd).
Shot by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) left-footed from left channel (18 yards), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle). Goal by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) left-footed (bottom-right of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Man Utd 3-3 Newcastle. Assist (pass) by Michael Carrick(Man Utd) from centre of penalty area.Newcastle substitution: Demba Ba replaced by Shola Ameobi (tactical).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Goal by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) right-footed (top-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Man Utd 2-3 Newcastle. Assist (pass) by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) from left wing.Man Utd substitution: Paul Scholes replaced by Tom Cleverley (tactical).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Patrice Evra(Man Utd).
Javier Hernandez(Man Utd) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Gael Bigirimana(Newcastle) on Robin van Persie(Man Utd). Newcastle substitution: Gael Bigirimana replaced by Gabriel Obertan (tactical). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Michael Carrick(Man Utd) from right channel, resulting in open play. Shot by Chris Smalling(Man Utd) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Davide Santon(Newcastle). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) to near post, clearance by Demba Ba(Newcastle).
Foul by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) on Patrice Evra(Man Utd). Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Paul Scholes(Man Utd) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Mike Williamson(Newcastle), blocked by Chris Smalling(Man Utd). Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) on Vurnon Anita(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Foul by Ryan Giggs(Man Utd) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra(Man Utd).
Foul by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) on Jonny Evans(Man Utd). Danny Simpson(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ryan Giggs(Man Utd) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Chris Smalling(Man Utd).
Goal by Patrice Evra(Man Utd) left-footed (bottom-right of goal) from left channel (18 yards).Man Utd 2-2 Newcastle. Assist (cross) by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) from right wing.
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) to far post, clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Javier Hernandez(Man Utd) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra(Man Utd).
Cross by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle), header by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from right side of penalty area (6 yards), missed right. Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) to far post, resulting in open play. Foul by Antonio Valencia(Man Utd) on Danny Simpson(Newcastle). Antonio Valencia(Man Utd) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Davide Santon(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle), header by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from right side of penalty area (6 yards), inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) to far post, resulting in open play. Foul by Antonio Valencia(Man Utd) on Danny Simpson(Newcastle). Antonio Valencia(Man Utd) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Davide Santon(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play. Blocked by Rio Ferdinand(Man Utd).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Davide Santon(Newcastle), clearance by Rio Ferdinand(Man Utd).
Javier Hernandez(Man Utd) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) left-footed from left side of penalty area (6 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Demba Ba(Newcastle) on Chris Smalling(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Rio Ferdinand(Man Utd) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by David De Gea(Man Utd).
Attacking throw-in by Chris Smalling(Man Utd).
Foul by Demba Ba(Newcastle) on Rio Ferdinand(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken right-footed by David De Gea(Man Utd) from own half, passed.
Handball by Demba Ba(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Patrice Evra(Man Utd) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Chris Smalling(Man Utd).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Ryan Giggs(Man Utd). Mike Williamson(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick taken left-footed by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) from left channel (18 yards), missed left.
Foul by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) on Paul Scholes(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken right-footed by David De Gea(Man Utd) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Javier Hernandez(Man Utd) on Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle). Javier Hernandez(Man Utd) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from right channel (18 yards), hit bar.
Cross by Paul Scholes(Man Utd), header by Patrice Evra(Man Utd) from left side of penalty area (6 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Handball by Jonny Evans(Man Utd). Jonny Evans(Man Utd) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Shot by Davide Santon(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by David De Gea(Man Utd).
Foul by Ryan Giggs(Man Utd) on Mike Williamson(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Davide Santon(Newcastle) on Antonio Valencia(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by David De Gea(Man Utd).
Shot by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) right-footed from right side of penalty area (6 yards), over the bar.
Own goal by Jonny Evans(Man Utd) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from own half (6 yards).Man Utd 1-2 Newcastle. Assist by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) from right channel.
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Davide Santon(Newcastle) on Antonio Valencia(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) from right channel, resulting in open play. Shot by Javier Hernandez(Man Utd) right-footed from right side of penalty area (6 yards), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle). Goal by Jonny Evans(Man Utd) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from left side of penalty area (6 yards).Man Utd 1-1 Newcastle. Assist by Javier Hernandez(Man Utd) from right side of penalty area.Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right.
Cross by Chris Smalling(Man Utd), resulting in open play.
Cross by Ryan Giggs(Man Utd), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle). Cross by Ryan Giggs(Man Utd), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Javier Hernandez(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Michael Carrick(Man Utd) from left channel, passed.
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) right-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Rio Ferdinand(Man Utd).
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (18 yards), clearance by Jonny Evans(Man Utd).
Foul by Paul Scholes(Man Utd) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Patrice Evra(Man Utd).
Foul by Antonio Valencia(Man Utd) on Davide Santon(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Chris Smalling(Man Utd).
Cross by Chris Smalling(Man Utd), clearance by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle).
Cross by Javier Hernandez(Man Utd), resulting in open play. Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken short by David De Gea(Man Utd).
Foul by Demba Ba(Newcastle) on Jonny Evans(Man Utd). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Jonny Evans(Man Utd) from own half, passed.
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Giggs(Man Utd).
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (parried) by David De Gea(Man Utd). Goal by James Perch(Newcastle) right-footed (top-right of goal) from left side of penalty area (6 yards).Man Utd 0-1 Newcastle. Assist by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from right channel.
Defending throw-in by Patrice Evra(Man Utd).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Robin van Persie(Man Utd) on James Perch(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.