Wayne Rooney, in sensational form, had scored two and set up one but the Magpies battled back twice to earn a share of the spoils in a captivating encounter.Paul Dummett scored a last-gasp equaliser to deny Manchester United victory against Newcastle United in a thrilling 3-3 draw at St James’s Park.
In a controversial and captivating contest, Wayne Rooney’s penalty and a Jesse Lingard strike had the visitors two goals ahead but Georginio Wijnaldum got one back prior to half-time.
Newcastle dominated the second period and Aleksandar Mitrovic won a penalty after tussling with Chris Smalling, converting it himself.
Rooney produced a stunning finish with 11 minutes remaining but that would not be enough for victory, with Dummett’s deflected effort at the death earning Steve McClaren’s side a crucial point.
The result sees Newcastle, who stay in the bottom three, end a losing run of three Premier League matches without scoring, while Louis van Gaal’s fifth-placed side have now only won one of their last eight.
Rooney’s ninth-minute penalty was the first major incident of the game, with Marouane Fellaini meeting a corner and heading into the hand of Chancel Mbemba, who was only a yard away but did have his arm raised.
Referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot despite Newcastle protests and Rooney stepped up to confidently send Rob Elliot the wrong way.
Rooney could have had a second midway through the half when Lingard’s accurate pass sent him through on goal but he shot inches wide with his left foot.
Newcastle went straight up the other end and forced David de Gea, making his 200th appearance for the Red Devils, into a crucial save from Wijnaldum after a superb one-two with Ayoze Perez.
The hosts then wanted a penalty of their own when Daryl Janmaat charged into the box and was stopped by a clumsy Lingard challenge, but Dean was unmoved.
Van Gaal’s men doubled their lead on 38 minutes when a quick counter-attack saw Ander Herrera release Rooney. The England striker took his time before reversing a clever pass into path of Lingard, who finished through the legs of Elliot from a tight angle.
That two-goal cushion lasted only four minutes. Fabricio Coloccini’s high pass was headed down by Mitrovic and this time the onrushing Wijnaldum made no mistake, netting with an impressive first-time volley.
De Gea saved from Moussa Sissoko early in the second half before Lingard missed the target with an excellent opportunity at the other end after good work from Anthony Martial and Herrera, leaving Van Gaal visibly annoyed.
Jack Colback’s claims for a spot-kick after a challenge by Fellaini were ignored but the home side did get a penalty when Mitrovic was wrestled to the ground by Smalling. The Serbian stepped up to beat De Gea himself.
Rooney responded by unleashing an unstoppable finish into the top-left corner when substitute Memphis Depay’s shot deflected into his path 20 yards from goal.
Elliot then made a key save from Fellaini’s late header, meaning Dummett’s powerful strike – which deflected off Smalling out of the reach of De Gea – sealed a precious point after an epic battle.
Goal.com
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