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Stunning defeat to Newcastle leaves United a massive 16 points behind City

Catherine Ivill / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Chris Smalling's egregious yellow card for simulation could not have been more costly.

Jonjo Shelvey whipped in the resulting free-kick, and an undetected Matt Ritchie rushed in to sweep home the clinching goal in Newcastle's 1-0 win over Manchester United.

Sunday's defeat at St. James' Park - where Jose Mourinho has yet win as a visiting manager - left the Red Devils a whopping 16 points behind Manchester City in the Premier League's increasingly lopsided title race.

Newcastle's memorable victory didn't come without desperate defending or do-or-die goalkeeping. Jamaal Lascelles executed a well-timed tackle on substitute Scott McTominay deep into second-half stoppage time, and right at the death, newcomer Martin Dubravka made a point-blank stop to preserve the clean sheet.

Dubravka, who arrived on loan from Sparta Prague in the final hours of the January transfer window, was excellent on his debut. He came up with three saves in all, collecting loose balls with confidence and looking sure of himself inside the area.

Dwight Gayle also produced two goal-line clearances in Newcastle's backs-against-the-wall performance.

"They fought like animals - I hope they take that as a compliment," Mourinho told Sky Sports. "The gods of football were on their side. It wasn't going to happen for us today. Newcastle gave what they have and what they don't have. That's a beautiful thing in football."

Paul Pogba was again yanked off the pitch - this time as Newcastle celebrated Ritchie's opener. Mourinho confirmed that it wasn't because of injury.

The Portuguese has clearly been upset with Pogba's output in 2018, dropping the 24-year-old to the bench last weekend after a poor outing against Tottenham.

Shelvey vastly outplayed his adversary in the middle of the park, as his gut-busting energy and uninterrupted drive kept Newcastle purring. He won tackles and second balls and played fantastic passes to take home Man of the Match honours.

His efforts helped the Magpies get a win that pushed them out of the relegation zone and into 13th place in the standings.

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