Man United beats Newcastle 3-2 to keep alive European qualification hopes
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United kept alive its hopes of European qualification through its placing in the Premier League by beating Newcastle 3-2 on Wednesday.
A strike by substitute Rasmus Hojlund in the 84th minute proved to be the difference between the teams at Old Trafford as under-pressure Man United manager Erik ten Hag gained a much-needed victory in his team's last home game of the season.
The hosts joined seventh-place Newcastle on 57 points but has an inferior goal difference. Both clubs are three points behind sixth-place Chelsea, which won 2-1 at Brighton on Wednesday.
The teams finishing in sixth and seventh place should qualify for the Europa League and Europa Conference League, respectively. Man United could also get in the Europa League by winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25.
Kobbie Mainoo put Man United ahead in the 31st after a pass was slipped through the Newcastle defense by Amad Diallo, who regained the lead for the home side with a fierce left-footed shot through a crowd of players after a 57th-minute corner wasn’t fully cleared.
Anthony Gordon had equalized in the 49th and Lewis Hall ensured a nervy finish to the game for Man United by making it 3-2 in stoppage time.
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