The ex-Ram scored one of the goals of the season to secure a 2-1 win over United despite playing with 10 men
Former Derby County striker Will Osula.
Former Derby County striker Will Osula.(Image: PA)
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Former Derby County striker Will Osula stunned Manchester United with a glorious 90th-minute winner as Newcastle United handed Michael Carrick his first defeat in charge.
Osula curled in a wonderful strike from an incredibly difficult angle to secure the win, which put a dent in United's aspirations for Champions League football next season.
Anthony Gordon put the home side ahead from the penalty spot before Casemiro restored parity as Jacob Ramsey saw red for two bookable offences.
But despite the disadvantage, Osula launched a counter-attack in the final minute, cutting in from the right and bending a terrific left-footed shot into the far corner.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was thrilled with the forward's intervention and revealed how he had stayed behind in training to practice the exact same finish.
"I'm not trying to be wise after the event, in that moment you back Will’s ability," he said. "That’s one of his biggest strengths, running with the ball, his pace.
"Will asked after training yesterday for ten more balls. He wanted ten more finishes and a carbon copy of the goal he scored today. He scored eight out of ten.
"That’s all credit to the player because he wanted it, he wanted to do more before he went in. I’m a great believer in do the work, you get the reward. Delighted for him personally."
Osula added: "I was training that yesterday in the training drill.
“I only had one thing on my mind, thank God it went in. I know I can take the players on and have end product.
“It was testing my pace a bit that ball in behind but I got there and happy with my end product. I was doing it yesterday and I was pretty consistent. It's true that habit pays off.
“It's so loud in this stadium, St James' Park. It's the best fanbase in the world. It's top.
“That was the best feeling ever. I was so happy for that. When I came on I just prayed that I was going to score and make something happen and thank God that that happened. I was practicing that in training yesterday, just cut in and finish it, so the hard work paid off.”
Osula scored five goals in 21 appearances for Derby after joining the club on loan from Sheffield United in the 2022-23 season.
He then returned to Bramall Lane where he secured a move to Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee believed to be worth eight figures.
He has found it hard to nail down a first-team place at Newcastle and has made just one start with the majority of his appearances coming off the bench.
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