Manchester United vs Newcastle LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today
Follow all the action live from Old Trafford where all eyes are on the return of Cristiano Ronaldo
Follow all the action live as Manchester United host Newcastle in the Premier League this afternoon, with Cristiano Ronaldo set to make his return.
After sealing his sensational return to Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed Ronaldo will make his second debut for the club, although the head coach refused to state whether the Portuguese would make the starting line-up. “He’s had a good week with us [training] here and he will definitely be on the pitch at some point, that’s for sure,” Solskjaer said.
United took seven points from their opening three matches, thrashing Leeds before being held by Southampton and narrowly defeating Wolves. Jadon Sancho is also in line to feature, having overcome a knock sustained while on international duty with England.
Spirits are far less optimistic at Newcastle, where fans have once again begun to vent their frustration at Steve Bruce, with the Magpies taking just one point from their first three matches. Joe Willock was the only major arrival in the summer window and the club seems destined for another nervous season in limbo. Here is everything you need to know:
Alonso flashes a shot wide
76’ - Romelu Lukaku holds the ball up well on the edge of the penalty area before bringing Callum Hudson-Odoi into play.
The wing-back hits a shot, which is blocked, before |Marcos Alonso takes aim at the far corner and sees his left-footed effort fly agonisingly past the post.
Traoré goes close to goal
72’ - Bertrand Traoré creates Villa’s best moment in a long while as he cuts inside of Jorginho onto his left foot and strikes the ball from twenty-yards.
It takes a deflection which carries it narrowly wide and Mendy catches a tame header from the resulting corner.
Traoré is the next Villa change
68’ - Bertrand Traoré is on now for Villa, replacing Danny Ings.
Ollie Watkins has been the far livelier of the pair of Villa attackers, were Ings not involved in any of their significant chances.
The game has lost its rhythm now and there’s little quality on display.
Azpilicueta on for Chelsea
64’ - Thomas Tuchel is making his second change of the evening and César Azpilicueta is coming on.
Kai Havertz, who hasn’t been involved very much at all, is the man departing.
Marcos Alonso booked
61’ - Marcos Alonso is accelerating towards the byline on the lft-hand side but Leon Bailey tracks back, wins the ball, and then puts it through the Spaniard’s legs before trying to race away.
Alonso pulls the Jamaican back in order to stop the counter and takes a deserved yellow card.
Villa make attacking change
55’ - Dean Smith isn’t giving up on this yet.
The impressive Jacob Ramsay is going off, no doubt in part due to his booking, and is replaced by summer signing Leon Bailey.
That likely means a change of shape for the visitors so we’ll see how they shape up soon.
Havertz misses chance
51’ - Kai Havertz has his first real chance of the game having been played in over the top of the defence by Jorginho.
He collects the ball on his left foot and looks to hit a shot across the face of goal but gets no power or accuracy on it and it dribbles harmlessly wide.
GOAL! Kovacic scores after Mings howler
48’ - Aston Villa are already being made to pay for not taking advantage of their first-half dominance.
Mateo Kovacic has doubled Chelsea’s lead after capitalising on Tyrone Mings’ short back pass to take control of the ball and slide a finish past Jed Steer and into the far post.
A goal from nothing. So, so easy,
Tuchel takes Saul off on debut as second-half re-starts
Both sides are back out for the second-half and Saul Niguez has indeed been withdrawn at the break for Jorginho.
Aston Villa are unchanged, and Chelsea get us underway again in west London.
Mendy keeps Chelsea in the lead
Senegalese goalkeeper Mendy made four strong saves in that half from the likes of Tyrone Mings, Jacob Ramsay and Ezri Konsa to ensure his side went into the break with the lead.
What was arguably more impressive though was the former Rennes’ man’s ability to deal with crosses and take pressure off his side in crucial moments.
Thomas Tuchel will be delighted with his contribution once again.
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