Guardian:
‘Manchester United's challenge for the title will be durable because they have hardened their hearts. The visitors reeled off another clean sheet to continue a pristine start to the programme, but the real fillip comes from the fact that they are rediscovering the way to win. When they yielded the championship to Chelsea the side was most demoralised by afternoons, such as a goalless draw at Crystal Palace, when they thwarted themselves.
‘Admittedly Newcastle United did nurse the visitors towards this healthy result. Their £8m centre-half Jean-Alain Boumsong suffered from dazed moments that made each goal possible, but Sir Alex Ferguson's team had a cutting edge that was always likely to snip a fraying safety rope. The St James' Park team have fallen hard in this campaign, unable to win or score in any of their Premiership fixtures.
‘The victors here, by painful contrast, had abundant means in attack. They would not have required any faux pas from Boumsong had the referee not been wincingly harsh in his interpretations. Just after Wayne Rooney's opener, Ruud van Nistelrooy was clear when Stephen Carr pulled him back but Howard Webb did not detect the offence, which would have demanded a red card.
‘It was more perverse still of the official to book the centre-forward five minutes later. Rooney sent him through and it would have been more reasonable to award a penalty for Shay Given's challenge than punish Van Nistelrooy for a dive.
‘"It was the kind of performance I've experienced when we've been going for something," said Ferguson, recalling the years of triumph. "There was a solid platform." An imperfect win that called for perseverance pleased him more than a romp could ever have done.’
Independent:
‘The 19-year-old needs no help but it was given to him none the less by Boumsong, an £8.5m defender who displayed all the deftness of a forklift truck when he tried to control Edwin Van der Sar's punt on 66 minutes. When Boumsong's touch failed him, Rooney was there to rush in and smash a low shot past Given.
‘That had Ferguson bounding about the dug-out but he was even more exercised by the referee's decision of three minutes later. As Ronaldo sprinted on to a through ball, Stephen Carr - outpaced and out of position - locked arms with the winger and brought him down. Webb's refusal to act provoked the full range of Ferguson histrionics: flapping arms, curled lip, industrial language. The worst was yet to come.
‘When Van Nistelrooy ran on to a dazzling pass from Rooney on 72 minutes his touch took the ball fractionally too far ahead and when he tripped over Given, Webb rewarded him with a booking, not a penalty. It was, confirmed by replays, a poor decision.
‘On the bench, Ferguson simply put his head in his hands. He need not have worried because the very last word went to his Dutch striker with an 89th-minute goal made by Rooney. Operating almost in the right-back position in search of the ball, he went past Amdy Faye and down the right flank where he swept over a cross that Boumsong missed and Van Nistelrooy struck home. Three wins out of three for United, with Rooney the architect of their success.’
Times:
‘Wayne Rooney has a mixed record when it comes to eloquence. With a football at his feet, the England striker is fluent and expressive, but after scoring Manchester United’s opening goal yesterday, an 18-certificate outburst from the 19-year-old was broadcast live on television. Sky was obliged to issue an apology for the fruity epithet, but it will live with the complaints as long as Rooney is as watchable as this.
‘Sven-Göran Eriksson, the England head coach, was at St James’ Park to witness Rooney’s goal and the driving run and scything cross in the final moments that provided Ruud van Nistelrooy with a simple finish. “That was a great example for any young person who wants to get to the very top,” Sir Alex Ferguson said, and if the easily-offended may not agree, his appreciation was understandable.
‘Rooney apart, it is not United’s football that is catching the eye, but their statistics. They have won every competitive game this season without conceding a goal and if there were some ordinary moments on Tyneside, their results suggest that Chelsea face a stiff challenge. “It wasn’t a great performance,” the manager said, “but it was determined. Our defence was excellent and there’s a solid look to us.”’
Telegraph:
‘Wayne Rooney continues to torment the Toon. The England forward, who refused to consider moving to St James' Park a year ago, struck his fourth goal in three league games against Newcastle United. Having humiliated the hapless Jean-Alain Boumsong for Manchester United's first, Rooney then turned creator for Ruud van Nistelrooy to thicken the dark clouds around Graeme Souness.
‘Life would have been so much easier for Souness if Rooney were in Newcastle's employ. England's answer to a total footballer, Manchester United's No 8 was everywhere yesterday, charging down the right, pulling the strings in the middle and even dropping back to halt Newcastle forays.
‘When Van der Sar launched a long ball down St James' Park, Boumsong should have dealt with the danger descending from the heavens. This was the type of situation that Boumsong was brought in to tackle, yet the £8.5 million defender was found badly wanting, allowing the ball to bounce and Rooney to advance.
‘The England striker is deadly with half-chances, let alone the gilt-edged opportunity presented to him by Boumsong. Rooney's sledgehammer right foot duly dispatched the ball past Given. "1-0 in your Super Bowl" chanted the visiting Stretford Enders, wryly applying the language of their American owners to a traditional old Cup final taunt.
‘Then came another reminder of the genius that is Rooney, creating Van Nistelrooy's goal with a break of commitment and acceleration down the right. When Boumsong paused as Rooney's cross arrowed in, Van Nistelrooy was left with the simple task of scoring. Rooney and a revitalised Van Nistelrooy are clearly determined not to let Chelsea disappear over the Premiership horizon.’