Same Old (Trafford) Story.

Same Old (Trafford) story.

Manchester United 2 Newcastle 1

Another Old Trafford defeat saw Newcastle make a familiar exit from this competition at the first hurdle, as Papiss Cisse's first goal of the season wasn't enough to keep The Magpies' cup hopes alive on Wednesday evening.

Cisse scored just over a minute after arriving as a second half substitute, along with Shane Ferguson and it was the young Irishman who provided the cross for Cisse to nod past David De Gea, with half an hour remaining.

Alan Pardew's side were already two goals behind at that point, having conceded a goal in each half - both shots from the edge of the box from Anderson and Tom Cleverley.

Both sides hit the woodwork in the final 25 minutes, Javier Hernandez rattling the Stretford End crossbar and Cisse almost forcing extra time with an outrageous overhead kick attempt that also bounced back off the bar.

The home side went ahead just before the break when Anderson was stronger in the tackle than Dan Gosling and held off Gosling before rifling in an effort that flew in off Rob Elliot's right hand post.

The 'keeper had already made two outstanding saves that had kept his side in the game, the first from Anderson after he charged into the box while the other saw him palm away a stinging attempt from Danny Welbeck.

Gosling had wasted our best chance of the opening 45 minutes when Shola Ameobi nodded a ball back only for the midfielder to completely mis-hit his volley from ten yards. That could have made all the difference.

James Tavernier had also gone close when he fired wide from the edge of the box, having cut in from the right.

The black and whites came out after the break showing far more threat and Haris Vuckic was unlucky to curl a shot wide after making space for himself in the box with some neat footwork.

But just as Cisse and Ferguson were poised to come on, Cleverley doubled Manchester's advantage when he had space on the edge of the box to curl a low shot past Elliot's despairing dive.

Within four minutes Cisse had his goal, having replaced Vuckic, and another Ferguson cross almost found its intended target in the middle but the Red Devils were able to clear despite a slight fumble from De Gea.

Gosling found some time and space to send a dipping shot over the bar with 15 minutes remaining and after Cisse's unlucky overhead attempt, Gosling was again almost celebrating but this time a prodded shot was caught by De Gea with just three minutes remaining.

Tavernier continued to find Shola's head with some accurate angled crosses from the right but his team mates were unable to capitalise on the nod-downs and after well over four minutes of added time - which included an interloper - our cup exit was confirmed.


Newcastle: Elliot, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini (Ferguson 61), Tavernier, Obertan, Tiote (Bigirimana 71), Gosling, Marveaux, Vuckic (Cisse 61), Sh.Ameobi.
Subs n/u: Harper, Anita, Amalfitano, Sa.Ameobi.

Booked: Tiote, Bigirimana

Goal: Cisse 62

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