Patrick Dorgu's first Manchester United goal brings festive cheer after 1-0 win over Newcastle

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Patrick Dorgu scored his first goal for Manchester United as his team defeated Newcastle 1-0 in a pulsating Premier League match on Friday.

The 21-year-old Dorgu smashed in a left-foot volley from 15 meters midway through the first half to give United its first home win in four Premier League games, and lift the club above Liverpool into fifth place.

But reigning champion Liverpool is at home to bottom club Wolves on Saturday.

“It was a good hit. I didn’t know I could do that," a delighted Dorgu said.

United was without talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes while several other first-team players were missing due to injury or Africa Cup of Nations duty.

The new-look side also lined up in an unusual back-four formation but it was a match for Newcastle in an even first half most notable for Dorgu's fine strike, his first in 38 appearances in a red jersey.

United was hampered by the half-time withdrawal of Mason Mount due to injury and Newcastle dominated the early moments of the second period.

The bulk of the chances fell to Newcastle. Lewis Hall was unfortunate to see a long-range effort hit the bar after 62 minutes and Anthony Gordon missed the target with a good chance a few moments later.

A late piledriver from Joelinton was also well saved by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

At the other end, Diogo Dalot fired over from close in when he should have done better, but neither side could add to Dorgu’s effort and United fans went home happy.

Manager Ruben Amorim will be particularly pleased with the way his young charges saw out their slender lead.

United had five academy players in the Old Trafford dugout and England under-19 midfielder Jack Fletcher – son of former player Darren – was one of the youngsters introduced during the second 45 minutes.

Twenty-year-old Ayden Heaven started in central defense for United, while Leny Yoro and Tyler Fredricson, who are also 20, came on during the second half.

Newcastle now trails United by six points in 11th spot after a poor December when it has won only one of its five league games.

“Second half was a lot better than the first from our perspective, but we didn’t do enough," said Newcastle coach Eddie Howe. “I felt if we scored we could go on and win the game but it didn’t happen. We’re hugely disappointed.

"We got better in the second half and played with good rhythm, dominated the ball and it was just the goal that was missing.”

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Manchester United's Matheus Cunha celebrates his teams win during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle in Manchester, England, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte, left, fights for the ball with Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle in Manchester, England, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle in Manchester, England, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Diogo Dalot, left, makes an attempt on goal as Newcastle's goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale reaches out for a save during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle in Manchester, England, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu, center, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle in Manchester, England, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

BOSTON (AP) — A woman who worked as a live-in personal chef for former New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs declined to answer questions Tuesday about financial demands made on her behalf, as defense attorneys pressed her over claims she was owed money and inconsistencies in what she said she was paid.

Defense attorneys pressed Jamila “Mila” Adams about money she said she was owed after working as a live-in chef. She testified she was paid about $2,000 a week and believed she had not been fully compensated after being sent home. They pointed to a $19,000 demand made on her behalf and suggested the amount grew over time, culminating in a separate claim that her attorney sought $5.5 million.

Diggs has pleaded not guilty to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from a December incident at his home.

When asked about the $5.5 million claim, Adams said, “I can’t speak on that,” and at other points told jurors, “I don’t understand the question” and “I don’t know how to answer the question.”

Defense attorneys also questioned Adams about a public statement she issued Feb. 13 in which she said, “I have never sought money to settle this matter,” and about hiring a lawyer by mid-April. Adams said she retained an attorney for a workers’ compensation claim, saying she believed she had been injured on the job.

They challenged her accounting of what she was owed, presenting records of payments and suggesting she had sought compensation for weeks she did not work. Adams said she had been confused about the amount and “sent the incorrect amount,” maintaining she believed she was owed money.

Prosecutors pushed back on the defense’s financial-motive argument, eliciting testimony that Adams viewed the dispute as a wage issue, not a settlement. She said her statement that she had “never sought money to settle this matter” referred to the criminal case and that she later retained an attorney for a workers’ compensation claim after she believed she was injured on the job.

At times during her second day on the stand, Adams was instructed by the judge to answer questions directly and not include additional details beyond what was asked. Portions of her responses were struck from the record as nonresponsive, with jurors told to disregard them.

“This is not an opportunity for you to interject your own narrative,” Judge Jeanmarie Carroll, told her at one point, warning that continued nonresponsive answers could result in her testimony being stricken.

The testimony followed sharply conflicting accounts presented to jurors a day earlier.

Adams testified Monday that Diggs “smacked me with an open hand” before wrapping his arm around her neck and choking her, leaving her struggling to breathe. She described what she called a “complicated” relationship, saying it had previously been sexual but was not at the time of the alleged assault. She said she lived in his home, preparing meals and snacks, and had known him for more than four years.

Defense attorneys told jurors the alleged attack never happened, pointing to a lack of medical records, photos or video documenting injuries and saying no one else in the home reported seeing or hearing anything unusual. They also suggested Adams had a financial motive.

Prosecutors say the case centers on what happened on Dec. 2, when they allege Diggs entered Adams’ bedroom, slapped her and put her in a headlock that made it difficult to breathe.

A jury was seated Monday in Norfolk County District Court in Dedham.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs appears in court during his trial at Norfolk County District Court, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Witness Jamila Adams testifies during the trial of former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs at Norfolk County District Court, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Witness Jamila Adams, right, walks past former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs during Diggs' trial at Norfolk County District Court, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs listens to his defense attorney cross examine witness Jamila Adams during his trial at Norfolk County District Court, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Witness Jamila Adams testifies during the trial of former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs at Norfolk County District Court, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Judge Jeanmarie Carroll questions potential jurors as the assault trial of Stefon Diggs begins in Dedham, Mass., Monday May 4, 2026. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs leaves Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Stefon Diggs' former personal chef, Jamila Adams, is questioned by Assistant District Attorney Drew Virtue in Dedham District Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday May 4, 2026. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Stefon Diggs' former personal chef Jamila Adams is sworn in before giving testimony in Dedham District Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday May 4, 2026. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs returns to Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)