By Matt Burrows
Paul Dummett scored a stunner in the last few minutes to secure Newcastle a point in a Premier League fixture against Manchester United that ended in an exhilarating 3-3 draw at Sports Direct Arena.
Under-fire striker Wayne Rooney opened the scoring from the penalty spot after referee Mike Dean harshly adjudged Chancel Mbemba to have handled inside the area – and it was 2-0 soon after, Rooney again involved as he played a tidy pass to youngster Jesse Lingard who slotted the ball through the keeper's legs.
However that was not to be the last goal in the first period – Georginio Wijnaldum pulling Newcastle back into the game with a lovely side-footed volley after Aleksander Mitrovic headed into his path.
The goal perhaps flattered the hosts, who had been outplayed by the Red Devils in the first half – but a revitalised Newcastle came out firing in the second period and were soon back on level terms.
A penalty was awarded to the home side when Manchester United centreback Chris Smalling was caught wrestling Newcastle forward Mitrovic to the ground – and the Serbian made no mistake as he rolled it past David de Gea to equalise.
Newcastle continued to look threatening from that point but ultimately couldn't grasp the lead, before Rooney again defied his critics in the 79th minute with a goal against the run of play.
A blocked Memphis Depay shot fell invitingly to the England striker, and he struck the ball fiercely into the top corner from 20 yards, leaving Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot rooted to the spot.
However Manchester United would not have the final say, as Newcastle defender Paul Dummett made it 3-3 when he picked the ball up and delivered a blistering strike of his own past De Gea, who was left dumbfounded by an unlucky deflection.
Meanwhile Aston Villa delivered their first three points of the season with a fortunate 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace at Villa Park.
The Villans profited from a disastrous goalkeeping error from Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey, who juggled the ball from a corner and ended up dropping the ball through his legs and into the goal.
The result means Villa are still fixed to the bottom of the Premier League, but are now a more manageable eight points away from escaping the relegation zone.
Over at Dean Court, Bournemouth failed to capitalise on a 1-0 halftime lead and eventually succumbed to a 3-1 defeat after a second half blitz from West Ham United.
The Hammers went behind after Adrian's weak save allowed Bournemouth's Harry Arter to sink the ball into the bottom corner from distance, before new Cherries signing Benik Afobe missed two glorious chances to bolster their lead.
Returning playmaker Dimitri Payet made Bournemouth pay for their wastefulness in the second half, scoring with a beautiful dipping free-kick that bounced in off the underside of the crossbar.
From there West Ham punished the hosts, Payet turning provider with a cross to Enner Valencia who rifled into the roof of the net from 10 yards out, before Valencia doubled his tally with another stunning free-kick.
Liverpool host Arsenal tomorrow morning (NZT) in the game of the round, while high-flying Tottenham and Leicester meet at White Hart Lane and Manchester City look to make ground on top spot with victory over Everton.
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