Manchester United secured their fifth win in seven Premier League games as victory at Newcastle sent them second.

Starting the day seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea, it was vital for the visitors to pick up three points, and two headers from corners in the first 15 minutes set them on their way.

Jonny Evans was first to make the net bulge before fellow defender Patrice Evra repeated the trick moments later.

Goals from set-pieces amuse Ferguson

Tom Cleverley made it 3-0 when he curled the ball into the top corner.

The midfielder might have been trying to find Robin van Persie at the far post, but the ball flew out of the reach of home keeper Steve Harper and into the goal.

While the goal may have had a touch of good fortune, there was nothing lucky about the Old Trafford club's overall display.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men were rampant in the opening quarter, helped by some amateur Newcastle defending at set-pieces, and twice went close before the first goal.

Danny Welbeck, who played furthest forward in a three-man attack featuring Wayne Rooney and Van Persie, was first to try his luck but struck a woefully tame shot from six yards.

Harper then had to guard his near post to stop Van Persie's toe-poke from sneaking in, but he had no chance when Evans powered home a header after eight minutes for only his second goal for the Red Devils.

Set-piece pace-setters

Manchester United have now scored five goals from corners this season, more than any other side in the division

Newcastle had the jitters and could have fallen further behind but, after creating another chance for himself when he closed down the dawdling Harper just inside the area, Welbeck failed to find the empty net.

However, the visitors made the pressure count again a couple of minutes later when Evra advanced from the edge of the area to head in his first goal for the club in two seasons.

The highest scoring match between the teams at the ground was in January 1960, when the hosts won 7-3, and with only 15 minutes on the clock another 10-goal feast - all scored by the visiting team - did not seem totally impossible.

But the attacking waves from the visitors died down, allowing Newcastle to come back into the match.

Man Utd were on fire - Pardew

Magpies boss Alan Pardew tinkered with their tactics and had a quick word with his backline as Evans received treatment for an injury, and that seemed to help mend the leak in defence.

But the home side were also lacking inspiration in attack and once again the Demba Ba-Papiss Cisse partnership failed to shine, although they did suffer from poor service.

The pair were central to Newcastle's best effort, though. Ba flicked a header towards goal and when the ball came off the post it was nodded towards the net by Cisse, but the agile David De Gea just managed to claw it away before it had crossed the line.

Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye also had efforts on goal, but they were as half-hearted as the Magpies' display.

Cleverley rounded off a miserable day for Newcastle with his spectacular effort.

Lineup, Bookings (8) & Substitutions (6)

Newcastle United

  • 37 Harper
  • 03 Santon
  • 06 Williamson
  • 14 Perch Booked
  • 31 Ferguson (Anita - 63' )
  • 04 Cabaye
  • 10 Ben Arfa
  • 18 Gutierrez Booked
  • 24 Tiote Booked (Bigirimana - 80' Booked )
  • 09 Cisse (Sh Ameobi - 63' )
  • 19 Ba

Substitutes

  • 42 Alnwick
  • 05 Simpson
  • 08 Anita
  • 20 Bigirimana
  • 25 Obertan
  • 23 Sh Ameobi
  • 28 Sa Ameobi

Manchester United

  • 01 De Gea
  • 02 Rafael
  • 03 Evra
  • 05 Ferdinand Booked
  • 06 Evans
  • 16 Carrick
  • 23 Cleverley
  • 26 Kagawa Booked (Valencia - 55' )
  • 10 Rooney (Scholes - 79' Booked )
  • 19 Welbeck
  • 20 Van Persie Booked (Giggs - 87' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Lindegaard
  • 31 Wootton
  • 07 Valencia
  • 08 Anderson
  • 11 Giggs
  • 22 Scholes
  • 14 Hernandez
Ref: H Webb
Att: 52,203

Match Stats

Shots

13 12

On target

3 9

Corners

8 6

Fouls

15 12

Live Text Commentary

49:50

The ball is sent over by Shane Ferguson, Demba Ba takes a shot. Papiss Cisse takes a shot. Save made by David De Gea.

90:00 +4:06 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +3:11

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Yohan Cabaye.

90:00 +2:45

Centre by Hatem Ben Arfa, Jonathan Evans manages to make a clearance.

90:00 +2:38

Shola Ameobi crosses the ball.

90:00

Yohan Cabaye takes the free kick.

90:00 Booking

Booking Paul Scholes goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

89:38

Paul Scholes challenges Shola Ameobi unfairly and gives away a free kick.

88:48

The ball is crossed by Antonio Valencia.

88:14

Effort on goal by Demba Ba from 20 yards. Save made by David De Gea.

86:45

Unfair challenge on Shola Ameobi by Patrice Evra results in a free kick. Yohan Cabaye restarts play with the free kick.

86:16 Substitution

Substitution (Man Utd) makes a substitution, with Ryan Giggs coming on for Robin van Persie.

85:57

Direct free kick taken by Paul Scholes.

85:57 Booking

Booking Booking for Gael Bigirimana for unsporting behaviour.

85:52

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Tom Cleverley by Gael Bigirimana.

84:56

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Rafael Da Silva by Hatem Ben Arfa. Rafael Da Silva takes the free kick.

80:20

Danny Welbeck concedes a free kick for a foul on Gael Bigirimana. Direct free kick taken by Yohan Cabaye.

78:16

David De Gea takes the direct free kick.

78:16 Substitution

Substitution Paul Scholes replaces Wayne Rooney.

78:16

Cheick Tiote sends in a cross, James Perch challenges David De Gea unfairly and gives away a free kick.

78:16 Substitution

Substitution (Newcastle) makes a substitution, with Gael Bigirimana coming on for Cheick Tiote.

78:16

David De Gea takes the free kick.

78:16 Substitution

Substitution Paul Scholes is brought on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney.

78:16

A cross is delivered by Cheick Tiote, David De Gea fouled by James Perch, the ref awards a free kick.

77:52

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye, clearance by Jonathan Evans.

77:35

Davide Santon takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Michael Carrick gets a block in.

74:13

Michael Carrick takes the direct free kick.

74:13 Booking

Booking Booking for James Perch.

73:55

Unfair challenge on Robin van Persie by James Perch results in a free kick.

72:08

Shot by Wayne Rooney. Steve Harper makes a comfortable save.

70:11

Wayne Rooney provided the assist for the goal.

70:11 Goal scored

Goal - Tom Cleverley - Newcastle 0 - 3 Man Utd Tom Cleverley scores a goal from just outside the box to the top right corner of the goal. Newcastle 0-3 Man Utd.

69:45

Corner taken by Robin van Persie, clearance made by Cheick Tiote.

69:19

Shot by Rafael Da Silva from 20 yards. Blocked by Cheick Tiote.

67:42

The ball is sent over by Yohan Cabaye, clearance made by Rio Ferdinand.

65:44

Yohan Cabaye produces a cross, blocked by Jonathan Evans.

66:13

Corner taken by Yohan Cabaye from the left by-line, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Michael Carrick by Mike Williamson. Free kick taken by David De Gea.

65:44

The ball is swung over by Yohan Cabaye.

64:35

The assistant referee signals for offside against Robin van Persie. Free kick taken by Mike Williamson.

63:21

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Michael Carrick by Yohan Cabaye. Free kick taken by Rio Ferdinand.

62:33 Substitution

Substitution Shola Ameobi replaces Papiss Cisse.

62:33 Substitution

Substitution Vurnon Anita comes on in place of Shane Ferguson.

62:21

Hatem Ben Arfa produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.

60:00

Wayne Rooney has an effort at goal. Save made by Steve Harper.

59:36

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Perch by Robin van Persie. Steve Harper restarts play with the free kick.

58:50

Cheick Tiote concedes a free kick for a foul on Patrice Evra. Direct free kick taken by Michael Carrick.

56:28

Papiss Cisse challenges Patrice Evra unfairly and gives away a free kick. Tom Cleverley restarts play with the free kick.

56:03

Effort on goal by Tom Cleverley from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

54:07 Substitution

Substitution Antonio Valencia replaces Shinji Kagawa.

54:07

The ball is swung over by Yohan Cabaye, Header by Demba Ba from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

53:39

Centre by Hatem Ben Arfa, Patrice Evra makes a clearance.

52:33

Shane Ferguson crosses the ball, clearance by Rio Ferdinand.

50:59

Papiss Cisse challenges Patrice Evra unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by David De Gea.

50:42

Corner taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye.

49:50

Shane Ferguson crosses the ball, Demba Ba takes a shot. Demba Ba takes a shot. David De Gea makes a save.

49:24

Centre by Hatem Ben Arfa, clearance made by Rio Ferdinand.

49:14

The ball is swung over by Demba Ba, clearance by Tom Cleverley.

48:53

A cross is delivered by Patrice Evra, save by Steve Harper.

48:22

Cheick Tiote fouled by Michael Carrick, the ref awards a free kick. Cheick Tiote takes the free kick.

45:08

The offside flag is raised against Robin van Persie. Free kick taken by Steve Harper.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +3:28 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +2:56

A cross is delivered by Wayne Rooney.

45:00 +3:11

The ball is delivered by Wayne Rooney.

45:00 +2:56

Wayne Rooney produces a cross.

45:00 +2:23

Corner taken by Wayne Rooney, save by Steve Harper.

30:40 Booking

Booking Robin van Persie is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

30:24

Robin van Persie concedes a free kick for a foul on Davide Santon.

45:00 +1:05

Free kick awarded for a foul by Shinji Kagawa on Jonas Gutierrez. Cheick Tiote takes the direct free kick.

44:58

Michael Carrick challenges Demba Ba unfairly and gives away a free kick. The ball is swung over by Yohan Cabaye, Headed effort from inside the area by Papiss Cisse misses to the right of the goal.

44:58

Michael Carrick gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Demba Ba. Yohan Cabaye takes the direct free kick.

44:24

Hatem Ben Arfa produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal.

42:42

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Robin van Persie from the right by-line.

41:35

Jonathan Evans takes the free kick.

41:35 Booking

Booking Jonas Gutierrez receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.

41:30

Jonas Gutierrez concedes a free kick for a foul on Shinji Kagawa.

40:45

Papiss Cisse crosses the ball, Shot on goal by Demba Ba from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

40:14

Centre by Davide Santon, Wayne Rooney makes a clearance.

38:54

Tom Cleverley concedes a free kick for a foul on Cheick Tiote. Davide Santon takes the direct free kick.

37:53

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Yohan Cabaye, free kick awarded for a foul by Hatem Ben Arfa on David De Gea. David De Gea restarts play with the free kick.

37:40

Jonas Gutierrez produces a drilled right-footed shot from 20 yards. Jonathan Evans gets a block in.

37:12

Corner taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye from the right by-line, clearance made by Jonathan Evans.

36:14

Yohan Cabaye decides to take the corner short.

36:09

A cross is delivered by Shane Ferguson, Rafael Da Silva manages to make a clearance.

35:38

The ball is delivered by Danny Welbeck.

33:41

Yohan Cabaye produces a right-footed shot from outside the box and misses left.

32:22

Jonathan Evans takes the direct free kick.

32:22 Booking

Booking Cheick Tiote goes into the referee's book.

32:15

Cheick Tiote concedes a free kick for a foul on Wayne Rooney.

30:40

Yohan Cabaye crosses the ball in from the free kick.

30:40 Booking

Booking Davide Santon shown a yellow card.

30:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Davide Santon by Robin van Persie.

29:10

Direct free kick taken by Yohan Cabaye.

29:10 Booking

Booking Rio Ferdinand goes into the referee's book.

29:03

Unfair challenge on Demba Ba by Rio Ferdinand results in a free kick.

28:22

A cross is delivered by Yohan Cabaye, Wayne Rooney makes a clearance.

27:09

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jonas Gutierrez by Robin van Persie. Yohan Cabaye crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, clearance by Rio Ferdinand.

26:21

The ball is sent over by Hatem Ben Arfa.

23:47

Yohan Cabaye takes the outswinging corner, Demba Ba produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post.

21:49

The ball is sent over by Hatem Ben Arfa.

20:55

Yohan Cabaye crosses the ball in from the free kick, Robin van Persie makes a clearance.

20:55 Booking

Booking Shinji Kagawa is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

20:44

Shinji Kagawa concedes a free kick for a foul on Hatem Ben Arfa.

17:45

Shot from just outside the penalty box by Jonas Gutierrez misses to the left of the target.

17:31

The ball is sent over by Hatem Ben Arfa, clearance made by Rio Ferdinand.

17:20

Papiss Cisse delivers the ball.

14:59

Wayne Rooney provided the assist for the goal.

14:59 Goal scored

Goal - Patrice Evra - Newcastle 0 - 2 Man Utd Patrice Evra finds the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Newcastle 0-2 Man Utd.

14:48

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Wayne Rooney from the left by-line to the near post,

13:25

Cheick Tiote concedes a free kick for a foul on Tom Cleverley. Wayne Rooney shoots direct from the free kick, save by Steve Harper.

13:14

The ball is crossed by Rafael Da Silva, James Perch manages to make a clearance.

11:25

Danny Welbeck has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the target.

10:33

Rafael Da Silva has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.

10:33

Effort from the edge of the box by Shinji Kagawa goes wide of the left-hand upright.

9:50

The ball is sent over by Hatem Ben Arfa.

7:25

The assist for the goal came from Robin van Persie. Shane Ferguson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Shinji Kagawa. Rafael Da Silva takes the direct free kick.

7:25 Goal scored

Goal - Jonathan Evans - Newcastle 0 - 1 Man Utd Jonathan Evans finds the back of the net with a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. Newcastle 0-1 Man Utd.

7:20

Inswinging corner taken by Robin van Persie,

6:58

Robin van Persie takes a shot. Save by Steve Harper.

4:17

Danny Welbeck takes a shot. Steve Harper makes a comfortable save.

3:59

The ball is delivered by Robin van Persie, clearance made by Mike Williamson.

3:30

Short corner taken by Robin van Persie from the right by-line.

2:53

Robin van Persie crosses the ball, save by Steve Harper.

1:27

Foul by Cheick Tiote on Wayne Rooney, free kick awarded. Michael Carrick restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The referee starts the match.

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