Manchester United 5 - 3 Newcastle United

By Matthew Jones
November 23 2002

Alan Shearer scored his 100th Premiership Goal for Newcastle during their 5-3 defeat at Old Trafford. It came from a free-kick. He has been waiting for this moment for weeks now, its just a shame about the defeat!

After going 1-0 down on the 25th minute to a goal by Paul Scholes, Newcastle did not give up. Bernard equalised on the 35th minute, leaving Toon fans full of hope. Little did they know what an exciting game they were in for.

Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a hattrick in 16 minutes. His first goal coming on 38 minutes, making it 2-1 to Man U. then, just on the stroke of half time, the Netherlands striker did it again. 3-1 to the home side at the break.

Newcastle grabbed a lifeline six minutes into the second period through a 25-yard Alan Shearer free-kick after Solskjaer fouled Bernard - but van Nistelrooy restored United's two-goal lead inside 120 seconds after Forlan punished Andy O'Brien's attempt to play him offside. The Uruguay international found van Nistelrooy, who cushioned a header past Given from close range to seal his hat-trick.

United then grabbed a fifth goal in controversial circumstances after Solskjaer appeared to take out our last defender, Aaron Hughes, only 30 yards from goal before firing home to give his side an unassailable lead.

Young star Bellamy found the net 16 minutes from time for Newcastle after the Red Devils failed to deal with a corner but the damage had been done as United fired a timely warning to their title rivals.