A dramatic late strike from substitute William Osula handed Newcastle United a stunning 2-1 victory over Manchester United in an English Premier League match early today, bringing an end to interim boss Michael Carrick’s unbeaten spell in charge.

The Magpies defied the odds after being forced to play the entire second half with 10 men, yet still managed to outplay and outfight the visitors in the closing stages.

Osula sealed the win in the dying minutes with a superb individual effort, sending the home crowd into celebration and completing an impressive comeback performance by Newcastle.

The loss deals a blow to United’s push near the top of the table. The Red Devils now trail second-placed Manchester City by nine points after City were held to a 2-2 draw at home by struggling Nottingham Forest. United remain tied on 51 points with Aston Villa.

Newcastle opened the scoring during a dramatic spell of first-half stoppage time. Anthony Gordon calmly converted a penalty in the sixth minute of added time after being brought down by United skipper Bruno Fernandes inside the box.

The successful spot-kick marked Gordon’s ninth consecutive penalty conversion this season.

Moments earlier, Newcastle had been reduced to 10 men when Jacob Ramsey received a second yellow card for simulation after the referee ruled he had dived inside the area.

United, however, responded quickly. Just before the halftime whistle, Fernandes delivered a pinpoint free kick which was met by Casemiro, who powered home a header to level the score.

With the numerical advantage in the second half, United were expected to dominate proceedings but struggled to break down Newcastle’s determined defence.

Instead, the hosts continued to push forward with intensity, eventually finding the decisive moment through Osula’s late strike to secure all three points.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE