By John Sinnott BBC Sport

Manchester United were thwarted by a battling 10-man Newcastle side who benefited from a controversial penalty.

Javier Hernandez gave the home side an early second-half lead after Wayne Rooney's volley ricocheted off Steven Taylor before hitting the Mexican.

Newcastle drew level through Demba Ba's spot-kick after Rio Ferdinand was adjudged to have fouled Hatem Ben Arfa.

Jonas Gutierrez was then sent off, Tim Krul made two great saves, Ashley Young hit the post, but the Magpies held on.

The pulsating draw leaves the champions four points behind rivals Manchester City, who travel to Liverpool on Sunday.

Newcastle penalty a 'travesty' - Ferguson

That Newcastle left Old Trafford with a point had much to do with Krul's superb goalkeeping performance and the visitors' ability to throw bodies in the way of the ball in a frantic final 12 minutes after Gutierrez's dismissal.

Krul somehow blocked Nemanja Vidic's fierce header and then pushed away Patrice Evra's shot, while Danny Simpson typified Newcastle's resilience when he cleared a Hernandez effort off the line.

At times in that thrilling conclusion Krul's goal seemed to be protected by a forcefield as Ashley Young rattled the post with a shot, while a last-gasp Hernandez goal was ruled out after the Mexican strayed offside when he poked home Ryan Giggs's cross.

If Newcastle rode their luck at times it was also a performance that adds to the growing body of evidence that the Magpies can continue to prosper this season after their fine start, with this draw keeping them in fourth.

In the opening half Alan Pardew's side looked to attack at every opportunity with Ben Arfa and Gabriel Obertan effective in creating chances with their vision and touch - both from the centre of the pitch as well as the flanks.

Ben Arfa produced the cutest of passes with the outside of his foot to scoop the ball over the hosts' defence to Ba, whose volley tested David de Gea.

A cross from Obertan, who was arguably the visitors' most effective player in that first half, created Newcastle's best chance with a cross from the right, but Ryan Taylor miscued with his volley.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Javier Hernandez has scored six league goals this season - but this was his first at Old Trafford

However, that Newcastle went in at the break level was primarily to do with Krul's reactions.

Early on he saved twice from Hernandez before the Dutchman flung himself to his right to produce a fingertip save from the deftest of flicks from Giggs.

Just before the break Newcastle were handed a reprieve when Hernandez miscued with a shot when he probably should have scored.

Four minutes after the restart Hernandez finally broke the deadlock, though he must have known little about it.

Steven Taylor had fouled Hernandez to win a free-kick just outside the box and, although the Newcastle wall blocked Rooney's set-piece shot, the England striker was quickly onto the rebound.

His volley went deep into the Newcastle area before ricocheting off Steven Taylor and then off Hernandez into the net.

It was a desperately unlucky way to go behind, but the visitors were soon to profit from a contentious penalty that was awarded when Ben Arfa went down after a Ferdinand tackle.

Alan Pardew

Television replays appeared to show the United defender had won the ball cleanly but referee Mike Jones - after consultation with his assistant - awarded the penalty that Ba slotted in as De Gea went the wrong way.

The Manchester United goalkeeper produced a wonderful save to parry a Fabricio Coloccini effort, but once Gutierrez had been dismissed for a second yellow card, Newcastle had only the manpower to concentrate on defending their goal.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew: "We had some Geordie heroes, who showed they can compete with one of the best teams in Europe.

"Rio Ferdinand played the ball and the penalty was fortunate for us but we have a resilience in this team.

"We closed them down, made it difficult for them and were absolutely superb. We've shown we are a good side.

"Next week - when we play Chelsea - is a platform to show we can beat a top Premier League side."

Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (5)

Manchester United

  • 01 De Gea
  • 03 Evra (Macheda - 87' )
  • 05 Ferdinand
  • 15 Vidic
  • 20 Fabio Da Silva Booked (Smalling - 90' )
  • 11 Giggs
  • 16 Carrick
  • 17 Nani
  • 18 Young
  • 10 Rooney
  • 14 Hernandez

Substitutes

  • 34 Lindegaard
  • 06 Evans
  • 12 Smalling
  • 13 Park Ji-sung
  • 25 Valencia
  • 28 Gibson
  • 27 Macheda

Newcastle United

  • 26 Krul
  • 02 Coloccini
  • 05 Simpson
  • 16 R Taylor
  • 27 S Taylor
  • 04 Cabaye Booked
  • 08 Guthrie Booked (Perch - 74' )
  • 10 Ben Arfa Booked (Lovenkrands - 80' )
  • 18 Gutierrez Dismissed after an earlier booking
  • 25 Obertan (Sa Ameobi - 65' )
  • 19 Ba

Substitutes

  • 35 Elliot
  • 03 Santon
  • 14 Perch
  • 15 Gosling
  • 11 Lovenkrands
  • 23 Sh Ameobi
  • 28 Sa Ameobi
Ref: Jones
Att: 75,594

Match Stats

Shots

23 8

On target

13 6

Corners

11 3

Fouls

12 15

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:31

The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +4:15 Substitution

Substitution Chris Smalling is brought on as a substitute for Fabio Da Silva.

90:00 +3:40

The official flags Javier Hernandez offside. Tim Krul takes the indirect free kick.

90:00 +3:01

The ball is crossed by Ashley Young, clearance made by Fabricio Coloccini.

90:00 +1:54

Fabio Da Silva gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Demba Ba. Free kick taken by Ryan Taylor.

90:00 +1:30

A cross is delivered by Javier Hernandez, Sammy Ameobi manages to make a clearance.

90:00 +0:46

Nemanja Vidic has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

90:00 +0:21

Ashley Young takes a short corner.

90:00 +0:10

Ashley Young takes a shot. Steven Taylor gets a block in.

88:31

A cross is delivered by Ryan Giggs, Headed effort from inside the area by Federico Macheda misses to the left of the goal.

87:29

Sammy Ameobi challenges Fabio Da Silva unfairly and gives away a free kick. Nemanja Vidic restarts play with the free kick.

86:51

Foul by Fabio Da Silva on Yohan Cabaye, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Ryan Taylor.

86:51 Substitution

Substitution Patrice Evra goes off and Federico Macheda comes on.

86:08

Short corner worked by Ryan Giggs, Javier Hernandez takes a shot. Blocked by Danny Simpson.

85:51

Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Tim Krul gets a block in.

85:31

Corner taken short by Ashley Young.

85:17

Michael Carrick takes a shot. Steven Taylor gets a block in.

85:00

The ball is delivered by Luis Nani, Ashley Young produces a right-footed shot from inside the area and hits the post.

84:04

The ball is swung over by Ashley Young.

83:07

Inswinging corner taken by Ashley Young from the left by-line, Header from deep inside the penalty area by Nemanja Vidic goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

81:44

Inswinging corner taken by Ashley Young, Patrice Evra takes a shot. Save by Tim Krul.

78:00

Nemanja Vidic takes a shot. Tim Krul makes a save.

78:00 Substitution

Substitution Peter Lovenkrands on for Hatem Ben Arfa.

78:00 Dismissal

Dismissal Jonas Gutierrez is sent off by the referee.

77:56

Jonas Gutierrez gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Luis Nani.

76:23

The ball is crossed by Luis Nani, Ashley Young takes a shot. Ryan Taylor gets a block in.

75:29

Wayne Rooney concedes a free kick for a foul on Jonas Gutierrez. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Ryan Taylor, David De Gea makes a save.

74:44

Corner taken by Yohan Cabaye played to the near post, Ryan Giggs makes a clearance.

73:59

Foul by Steven Taylor on Luis Nani, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Michael Carrick.

73:16 Substitution

Substitution (Newcastle) makes a substitution, with James Perch coming on for Danny Guthrie.

71:43

Luis Nani takes a shot. Steven Taylor gets a block in.

68:52

Shot from deep inside the area by Wayne Rooney goes over the bar.

68:23

Hatem Ben Arfa concedes a free kick for a foul on Nemanja Vidic. Nemanja Vidic takes the free kick.

66:20

Danny Guthrie concedes a free kick for a foul on Patrice Evra. Free kick crossed right-footed by Ashley Young from left channel, save by Tim Krul.

66:20 Booking

Booking Danny Guthrie receives a yellow card.

64:50

The ball is swung over by Ashley Young, save by Tim Krul.

64:50

The ball is delivered by Ashley Young, save by Tim Krul.

64:39 Booking

Booking Jonas Gutierrez goes into the book.

64:19

Jonas Gutierrez concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Carrick. Ryan Giggs restarts play with the free kick.

64:03 Substitution

Substitution Gabriel Obertan goes off and Sammy Ameobi comes on.

63:06

The assist for the goal came from Hatem Ben Arfa.

63:06 Goal scored

Goal - Demba Ba - Man Utd 1 - 1 Newcastle Penalty taken right-footed by Demba Ba and scored. Man Utd 1-1 Newcastle.

61:22

Penalty awarded for a foul by Rio Ferdinand on Hatem Ben Arfa.

60:36

The ball is crossed by Fabricio Coloccini, Fabio Da Silva makes a clearance.

59:45

Corner taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye from the right by-line to the near post, Rio Ferdinand makes a clearance.

59:08

Yohan Cabaye decides to take the corner short, Fabricio Coloccini takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.

58:52

Demba Ba takes a shot. Blocked by Rio Ferdinand.

58:04

Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Guthrie on Ryan Giggs. Free kick taken by Michael Carrick.

57:35

The ball is swung over by Ashley Young, save made by Tim Krul.

55:44

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ashley Young on Danny Simpson. Steven Taylor restarts play with the free kick.

54:09

Javier Hernandez is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Tim Krul. Ashley Young has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.

53:28

Jonas Gutierrez fouled by Fabio Da Silva, the ref awards a free kick. Steven Taylor takes the free kick.

53:28 Booking

Booking Fabio Da Silva is cautioned.

52:02

Corner taken right-footed by Ashley Young, Header from deep inside the area by Wayne Rooney goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

51:54

Luis Nani delivers the ball, clearance made by Danny Simpson.

51:36 Booking

Booking Yohan Cabaye receives a caution for dissent.

50:31

Fabio Da Silva produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

48:41

Wayne Rooney provided the assist for the goal.

48:41 Goal scored

Goal - Javier Hernandez - Man Utd 1 - 0 Newcastle Javier Hernandez finds the net with a goal from close range low into the middle of the goal. Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle.

47:34

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Taylor on Javier Hernandez. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Wayne Rooney.

47:12

Ashley Young fouled by Danny Simpson, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ryan Giggs.

46:49

Unfair challenge on Wayne Rooney by Danny Guthrie results in a free kick. Luis Nani takes the direct free kick.

46:12

The referee blows for offside. Ryan Taylor restarts play with the free kick.

45:01

The match restarts for the second half.

45:00 +1:03

The first half comes to an end.

45:00 +0:36

Ashley Young crosses the ball, save by Tim Krul.

44:20

Luis Nani concedes a free kick for a foul on Yohan Cabaye. Tim Krul restarts play with the free kick.

43:18

The ball is delivered by Danny Simpson.

43:09

Centre by Gabriel Obertan, blocked by Patrice Evra.

41:42

Yohan Cabaye has an effort at goal. David De Gea makes a save.

41:36

The ball is sent over by Gabriel Obertan, clearance made by Michael Carrick.

41:31

A cross is delivered by Gabriel Obertan, clearance made by Nemanja Vidic.

38:52

Michael Carrick challenges Danny Guthrie unfairly and gives away a free kick. Hatem Ben Arfa takes the free kick.

36:52

Short corner taken by Luis Nani, Shot from deep inside the area by Luis Nani clears the bar.

36:48

Luis Nani sends in a cross, Steven Taylor manages to make a clearance.

35:17

Short corner taken by Luis Nani.

35:11

Ashley Young sends in a cross, clearance by Danny Simpson.

34:28

Effort on goal by Gabriel Obertan from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.

30:31

Inswinging corner taken by Ashley Young.

30:02

The ball is sent over by Fabio Da Silva, Ryan Giggs takes a shot. Save by Tim Krul.

29:08

Javier Hernandez produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.

26:06

Wayne Rooney gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Fabricio Coloccini. Tim Krul restarts play with the free kick.

26:06 Booking

Booking Booking for Hatem Ben Arfa for dissent.

24:26

Patrice Evra fouled by Gabriel Obertan, the ref awards a free kick. Michael Carrick takes the direct free kick.

22:40

The assistant referee signals for offside against Javier Hernandez. Tim Krul restarts play with the free kick.

21:32

Free kick awarded for a foul by Luis Nani on Jonas Gutierrez. Tim Krul takes the direct free kick.

20:58

The referee blows for offside against Steven Taylor. David De Gea takes the indirect free kick.

20:16

Steven Taylor fouled by Javier Hernandez, the ref awards a free kick. Ryan Taylor takes the free kick.

18:58

Ryan Taylor takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.

18:47

Gabriel Obertan produces a cross, clearance by Nemanja Vidic.

17:41

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jonas Gutierrez on Javier Hernandez. Free kick taken by Fabio Da Silva.

16:58

Ryan Giggs concedes a free kick for a foul on Hatem Ben Arfa. Free kick crossed left-footed by Ryan Taylor from right wing, David De Gea makes a save.

16:07

Ashley Young takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Fabricio Coloccini.

16:01

The ball is sent over by Javier Hernandez, Danny Simpson makes a clearance.

14:34

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ashley Young by Hatem Ben Arfa. Rio Ferdinand restarts play with the free kick.

12:51

The ball is delivered by Javier Hernandez.

12:30

Foul by Hatem Ben Arfa on Ryan Giggs, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Ryan Giggs.

12:17

Ryan Taylor delivers the ball, Patrice Evra manages to make a clearance.

11:45

Demba Ba is flagged offside by the assistant referee. David De Gea restarts play with the free kick.

10:37

Demba Ba takes a shot. Save by David De Gea.

8:34

Centre by Jonas Gutierrez, clearance by Nemanja Vidic.

6:38

Javier Hernandez takes a shot. Save by Tim Krul.

6:25

Gabriel Obertan takes a shot. Rio Ferdinand gets a block in.

6:17

The ball is swung over by Danny Guthrie, clearance by Nemanja Vidic.

4:53

Javier Hernandez takes a shot. Save made by Tim Krul.

4:10

Steven Taylor gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Javier Hernandez. Ryan Giggs takes the direct free kick.

3:36

Patrice Evra delivers the ball.

2:41

Centre by Ashley Young, Fabricio Coloccini makes a clearance.

1:10

Corner from the right by-line taken by Ryan Giggs, Ryan Taylor makes a clearance.

0:00

The match has kicked off.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association