Newcastle super sub Will Osula came off the bench to blast his ten-man team to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Manchester United as Michael Carrick suffered defeat for the first time in his interim reign.
The 22-year-old Dane struck in spectacular style in the 90th minute of a pulsating encounter to end both Carrick’s eight-game unbeaten run and the Magpies’ return of three successive Premier League defeats in style.
Thirty years to the day since Eric Cantona famously fired United to a 1-0 win over Kevin Keegan’s Magpies at St James’ Park which proved a decisive blow in the race for the title, the sides served up a pulsating contest which remained in the balance until the final whistle.
Jacob Ramsey’s dismissal for a second bookable offence sparked a frenzied conclusion to the first half during which Anthony Gordon put the home side ahead from the penalty spot before Casemiro restored parity.
The Magpies, who were aggrieved at referee Peter Bankes’ decision to caution Ramsey for simulation, battled their way manfully through the second half to secure a fourth successive home win over the Red Devils in front of a hugely appreciative crowd of 52,184.
Senne Lammens was relieved to see Kieran Trippier’s lofted fourth-minute cross clip his far post before fellow full-back Lewis Hall blasted over after latching on to the rebound in a lively start, but as the initial tempo waned, it was the Red Devils who began to make an impression.
However, Anthony Elanga volleyed just wide after Leny Yoro had headed out Sandro Tonali’s 13th-minute cross and Harvey Barnes curled an attempt just wide from Joelinton’s lay-off seconds later.
Newcastle’s evening took a turn for the worse in stoppage time when Ramsey, who had been booked earlier for a tug on Casemiro’s shirt, was adjudged to have dived as he tried to round Lammens and was given a second yellow card.
But it was they who took the lead in the sixth minute of added time when, after he had been brought down by Fernandes inside the box, Gordon smashed the resulting penalty past Lammens, only for Casemiro to head home an equaliser from Fernandes’ free-kick three minutes later.
The ten men returned determined not just to defend what they had and Gordon fired straight at the keeper amid a period of early pressure, although the visitors responded, making use of their numerical advantage to deny Newcastle possession.
Ramsdale did well to repel a 75th-minute Yoro header from Fernandes’ deft cross and then excelled himself tip away substitute Joshua Zirkzee’s dipping attempt.
But it was Osula who won it at the death, running on to Trippier’s ball down the line before cutting inside Tyler Malacia before curling an unstoppable shot past Lammens.
Speaking afterwards, Eddie Howe revealed Osula stayed for extra training ahead of the match, perfecting the finish that secured a box office victory.
Howe said: "I'm not trying to be wise after the event, in that moment you back Will’s ability. That’s one of his biggest strengths, running with the ball, his pace.
"Will asked after training yesterday for ten more balls. He wanted ten more finishes and a carbon copy of the goal he scored today. He scored eight out of ten.
"That’s all credit to the player because he wanted it, he wanted to do more before he went in. I’m a great believer in do the work, you get the reward. Delighted for him personally."