Newcastle United beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Premier League on Monday thanks to early headed goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton at Old Trafford, an ugly culmination of one of the most miserable months in the home side’s recent memory.

With five losses in their last six league games, Manchester United languish 14th in the standings on 19 points, their worst placing to end a calendar year since they were 15th in 1989. Newcastle are fifth on 32 points.

“One of the more difficult moments in the history of Manchester United,” said manager Ruben Amorim, who called the team’s position in the table embarrassing.

“It’s a very difficult moment, but we have to fight to win the next game.”

Isak got the visitors on the scoresheet in the fourth minute when he leapt to head home a pinpoint cross from Lewis Hall with both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez failing to pick him up.

It was the 11th goal in 11 games for Isak, who has scored more Premier League goals in December than any other player with eight.

Newcastle doubled their lead in the 19th minute in near carbon copy fashion with Anthony Gordon sending in a cross that Joelinton headed in.

The win marked Newcastle’s second victory at Old Trafford in 40 league visits, dating back to 1972.

“We know the hurt this fixture has had for us historically, it wasn’t lost on us,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said. “We didn’t necessarily use that with the players, but it was a big step forward for us today. I think we need to win games like this to achieve what we want on a regular basis.”

It is also the first time since 1979 that Manchester United have lost three consecutive league games at home. Their 18 goals conceded in all competitions in December is their most in a single month since March 1964 (also 18).

The score could have been more lopsided, with Isak lashing a shot past keeper Andre Onana in what would have made it 3-0 in the first half before the offside flag went up to the relief of United fans.

Soon after, Sandro Tonali missed an absolute sitter when he ran onto a flick from Gordon but clattered it off the woodwork.

“It feels great. We haven’t won in a long time here, it was a great performance and the perfect way to end the year,” Isak said. “The challenge was to have the same intensity here as we do at home – the first half paid off.”

While the home side, who were playing without captain Bruno Fernandes, who was serving a suspension, struggled to get out of their end in the first half, Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro both squandered chances just before halftime.

Hojlund was played in by Martinez but sent his shot across the face of goal, inches from the far corner, while Casemiro unleashed a shot that sailed wide, burying his head in his hands.

Amorim’s men were better after the break and Maguire’s diving header that goalkeeper Martin Dubravka grabbed at least had the Old Trafford crowd — who had booed their squad off the pitch at the break — cheering their effort.

One of the game’s ugliest moments was when the Old Trafford crowd lustily booed struggling Joshua Zirkzee when Amorim took him out of the game in the 33rd minute. There were huge swaths of empty seats, however, by the time the final whistle blew.

Special night for Ipswich as Portman Road sees league success

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna hailed a special night for his club as they won a home match in the Premier League for the first time in more than two decades, and suggested more victories would come for the relegation-threatened club.

Goals from Liam Delap and former Chelsea player Omari Hutchinson on Monday saw a first top flight triumph at Portman Road since the April 2002 success over Middlesbrough.

The victory, only their third this season, saw Ipswich move above Leicester City in the standings. They remain in the bottom three and one point from safety, but McKenna believes better days lie ahead.

“Halfway through the season and we’ve been competitive in the large majority of our games. It’s only some small improvements we need to make to win more games. We’re a humble group with belief,” he said.

The win over high-flying Chelsea was one to savour, McKenna added.

“To do it against Chelsea was fantastic. Most of the supporters who have been here for 22 years, every moment here is a landmark for them. Winning the home game is another special little landmark. But I think the time of year, the night game, the opponent make this a special night and I want everyone to enjoy it a lot.”

The 38-year-old, who has steered the club through successive promotions, said beating the Blues put the seal on an incredible year.

“Everyone involved with Ipswich can probably enjoy a glass of sparkly stuff (on Tuesday) night and think about some of the games we’ve had and moments over the last couple of years. I don’t want to point backwards too much but I think six of the starting line-up today were in our League One team, so that’s the journey this group has been on.”

The players return to work on Wednesday as they are away to Fulham on Sunday.

“When you have moments like this, you have a little pause and enjoy it, but then move on to the next one,” the manager said.

Lamptey rescues point for Brighton at Aston Villa

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Tariq Lamptey drove home a late equaliser to earn his side a point in a lively 2-2 draw at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday.

Villa had come from behind to lead with an Ollie Watkins penalty and a Morgan Rogers effort just after the interval but Brighton deservedly left with a share of the spoils.

Lamptey was played in by Joao Pedro’s clever flick and volleyed home first-time in the 81st minute.

Villa remained in ninth place with 29 points from 19 games with Brighton’s second draw of the festive period leaving them two points behind in 10th spot.

Both sides will enter the new year with aspirations of qualifying for Europe and there was plenty of evidence to suggest both could realise that ambition in 2025 although Brighton are now on a seven-match winless streak.

A game of 33 goal attempts made for great viewing and a point apiece was about right in the end, even if both managers will feel they could have bagged all three points.