William Osula’s late strike gave Newcastle their first league win at home since January in a 2-1 win against Manchester United.
A crazy end to the first half saw Jacob Ramsey pick up a second yellow, before Gordon put the Magpies 1-0.
As the first half was coming to a close, Casemiro scored from a free kick to ensure Man Utd picked up a point on the road.
Newcastle were on the ropes as the clock counted down, but Osula found space to send St James Park into bedlam.
Much of the pre-match discussion was around Howe’s decision to replace Nick Pope with Aaron Ramsdale following his mistake against Everton. Ramsdale was handed the chance and wasn’t short of action.
Nick Woltemade, who has been in the news a lot recently, wasn’t in the squad due to illness.
Kieran Trippier nearly got the first goal early on in an unorthodox way, as his attempted cross came off the post, before it was cleared from danger.
Minutes later, Man Utd had a big chance as the Magpies gave the ball away cheaply, but Matheus Cunha failed to capitalise from the edge of the box.
As the game was heading for the break, the game burst into life.
Newcastle were reduced to ten men as Ramsey picked up a second yellow for diving in the Red Devils’ penalty area.
More action was to come in the penalty box just moments later, as Bruno Fernandes tripped Gordon and the ref immediately pointed to the spot.
Gordon stepped up and put his penalty calmly down the middle, his ninth successful spot kick in succession.
With one more chance of the half, Man Utd drew it level as a free kick from Fernandes found the head of Casemiro, who flicked it past Ramsdale.
The half-time whistle was greeted with whistles and boos from the Toon Army, as they believed the referee should have called the end of the half before the equaliser.
Despite being down to ten men, Newcastle started the second half well. A well-worked corner from Sandro Tonali found Gordon unmarked at the back post, but the forward. was unable to convert
Inside the last twenty minutes, Ramsdale was called into action as Leny Yoro got a free header in the area. Ramsdale made himself big and palmed away the effort.
The away side pushed for a second goal, the best chance of the lot came from a substitute Joshua Zirkzee, who forced Ramsdale into a world-class save.
Newcastle substitute Osula wasn’t to be denied, as he burst down the left wing before cutting inside and unleashing a devastating strike into the far corner.
The goal from the Danish forward was his first Premier League goal since August in a 3-2 defeat against Liverpool, and it ensured Michael Carrick’s first defeat as Man Utd manager.
Newcastle have won four of their last four league games at home against the Red Devils; they had only won three in their previous 18 before that.
This was Newcastle’s first three points at home in the Premier League since beating Leeds in the first week of January.
The three points for the Geordies means they move up to 12th, ahead of Brighton following their 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal.
As for the away side, remain in 3rd place following Aston Villa’s 4-1 defeat to Chelsea earlier in the evening, but on the same points as the Villains and three ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool.
Newcastle will be under the lights once again at St James Park on the weekend as they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup, which kicks off at 8 pm on Saturday.
