Dorgu's stunning strike sends Man Utd up to fifth

Patrick Dorgu was Manchester United's unlikely hero as they edged past Newcastle United 1-0 in the Premier League on Boxing Day to leapfrog Liverpool into fifth spot.

The wing-back's first goal for the Red Devils was enough to give Ruben Amorim's side – who were without Bruno Fernandes due to injury – victory at Old Trafford.

Dorgu made the decisive contribution midway through the first half, with a superb left-footed volley from just inside the penalty area.

Lewis Hall rattled the crossbar from distance as Newcastle piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser, but Eddie Howe's side saw their winless streak in the Premier League extend to three matches.

Man Utd are now fifth in the table, behind fourth-place Chelsea on goal difference, while the Magpies remain 11th after missing the chance to move into the top half.

How the match unfolded

Both sides went close from corners inside the opening 12 minutes; Casemiro nodded over at one end, while goalkeeper Senne Lammens thwarted Bruno Guimaraes' near-post header at the other. However, the breakthrough arrived in spectacular fashion in the 24th minute. Nick Woltemade could only head Diogo Dalot's long throw as far as Dorgu, whose fierce left-footed volley flashed past  helpless 'keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Watch: Dorgu's goal and performance v Newcastle

The hosts then went close to doubling their advantage on the hour mark, with Benjamin Sesko clipping the top of the crossbar from a tight angle on the left of the box.

Moments later, Hall also rattled the bar at the other end, while Anthony Gordon shot right across the face of goal and wide.

Watch: Both sides hit the crossbar just minutes apart 

Dalot squandered a golden chance to make it 2-0 in the 73rd minute, firing over in a one-on-one with Ramsdale after Newcastle were slow to react to Lisandro Martinez’s diagonal delivery into the box.

Newcastle dominated large periods towards the end of the contest. Gordon fired over following a neat move, while Lewis Miley was also marginally off target as the equaliser ultimately eluded them.

No Fernandes, no problem for Amorim

The Premier League's most successful side on Boxing Day, Man United chalked up their 23rd such victory after holding on for all three points.

However, the omens did not originally look good as the Red Devils had lost each of the five league matches that midfield talisman Fernandes had not started prior to this game.

Dorgu made up for the absence of his quality, though, with a sweetly struck volley that ultimately decided the contest, after he watched the looping ball all the way onto his foot.

Man Utd have struggled against Newcastle in recent times, losing four of their last five league meetings, but while they did not shine in front of goal, they found some defensive solidity at the back.

Casemiro returned from suspension to replace Fernandes and play alongside Manuel Ugarte in the middle to provide extra shielding to the back line, which had Martinez making his first start since February.

And by keeping the Magpies at bay, despite the continued late pressure at Old Trafford, Amorim’s side kept just a second clean sheet in the Premier League this season to move within goal difference of the top four.

Three of the Premier League's bottom five sides await the Red Devils, who host bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers on 30 December, before trips to Leeds United and Burnley in the new year.

More Boxing Day blues for Magpies

While Man Utd historically enjoy Boxing Day, the same cannot be said for Newcastle, who have now lost a competition-high 17 times on 26 December.

The Magpies will have been confident, having completed the league double over their opponents last season, and were seeking a third straight win in the fixture for the first time in over 100 years.

However, they were undone by a moment of real quality from Dorgu that left Ramsdale with no chance, and they struggled to replicate something similar at the other end.

Only Newcastle’s bitter rivals Sunderland had failed to score against the Red Devils in the Premier League this season, and Howe’s side increased the pressure in search of an equaliser after the break.

However, their efforts proved to be in vain as they were lacking a cutting edge, with Gordon and Miley some of the main culprits, as they failed to show some composure when it was needed.

Without a win in three league matches, Howe and his side will welcome the prospect of travelling to struggling Burnley in their next match on 30 December.

Club reports

Man Utd report | Newcastle report

What the managers said

Ruben Amorim: "We had to suffer all together in the stadium, in the game, it was really difficult for us. I think we did a good first half and then the second half was just defending, trying to do something with [Matheus] Cunha. We had our opportunities of course in the second half with transitions but it was a good win. But I’ve had so many games here saying that we played really well and didn’t get the three points. Today was the opposite. We suffered together and managed to win the game.

"We spend a lot of time with each other, we had some low moments and that sometimes can bring good things to the group. It is good to have that feeling, to have experienced players helping some of the kids inside. It doesn’t matter if you are outside the pitch, you can play the game, and I think everyone played the game."

Eddie Howe: "We’re disappointed with our actions in terms of trying to score, that final finish. I think we created the moments in the second half, we cut through them a number of times, put a lot of balls in their box, a lot of crosses. The chances were there. If we’d scored that equalising goal, I think the whole momentum shift is with us, but it wasn’t to be.

"I thought he [Anthony Gordon] was probably our brightest player in attack today. I thought Anthony played well, I thought he was direct, full of running. I was pleased with his individual performance but we need more, more goalmouth creation, action, and certainly more clinical in front of goal."

Next PL fixtures

Key facts

This was the fifth Premier League game in a row where Man Utd were involved in the only top flight match to take place on that given day - a first in the top division of English football. The Red Devils drew with West Ham United on a Thursday, beat Wolves on a Monday, drew with AFC Bournemouth the Monday after that and lost at Aston Villa last Sunday.

A total of seven teenagers started the match at Old Trafford on the bench. Man Utd had 18-year-old twins Jack and Tyler Fletcher along with Shea Lacey (18) and Bendito Mantato (17). Newcastle named Leo Shahar and Sean Neave both 18, and 16-year-old Sam Alabi among their subs.

Man Utd have scored 13 goals from set-plays (excl. penalties) in the Premier League this season – more than any other side. It’s the most by the Red Devils in a league campaign since 2017/18 (15).

Newcastle have won just one of their last 12 away league matches (D4 L7), a 4-1 victory at Everton in November. In fact, since the first game in this period - a 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa on 19 April - the only ever-present Premier League side with fewer away points than the Magpies (seven) are Wolves (four).