Lejeune on his calling to the Toon

Manchester City keeper Ederson scrambles across his goal after a late Dwight Gayle header almost found the back of the visitors’ net, but Newcastle lost again at home

England manager Gareth Southgate was in the stands, watching the progress of the in-form Sterling, and probably hoping to see Fabian Delph - who was absent from the Man City squad.

However, the Three Lions boss will also have been impressed by what he saw from Newcastle’s captain.

The home side may have done little of note in attack but Lascelles marshalled his backline well, showing his leadership credentials and his defensive reading of the game.

It was also the first time Lascelles has played in a three-man centraldefensive unit this season and, given Southgate prefers playing with three at the back, he proved to the England manager he can operate in such a system.

For now, Lascelles must merely concentrate on playing well for Newcastle.

However,he cannot be too far away from the England picture now.

This is now the fifth defeat in succession for Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Losses to Bournemouth, Watford, Leicester City and Everton preceded this reversal against the championselect.

The last time Newcastle embarked upon a league run this bad at St James’ Park was in October 1953, when they lost six home games in succession.

With the next two matches on Tyneside against relegation rivals Brighton and Swansea City, the home form simply must improve if Newcastle are to drag themselves clear of the bottom three.

The home form is alarming at the moment and it simply must improve – and quickly. FLORIAN Lejeune has revealed he made his decision to join Newcastle United at the end of last season following a phone call from Rafa Benitez.

But the defender admits that Newcastle’s current squad lacks experience and their struggles in the Premier League are inevitable because of that.

The French centre-back joined the Magpies from La Liga club Eibar and has now settled in at St James’ Park despite suffering some injury issues in the first few months of his career.

Speaking in an interview with France Football, Lejeune was asked about his decision to sign for United and replied: “It was done very early. Before the last matches of the season I received a call from Rafael Benitez, we talked a lot.

“I wanted to discover England but not just at any club.

“Newcastle is a legendary club and to go with one of the best coaches in the world so my decision was quick.”

And speaking about his relationship with Benitez, Lejeune added: “He knows my qualities, he knows what I can bring.

“I am a player who likes to bring out the ball. I can play with the left foot.

“He has more vision of the Spanish game, with short passes.

“When one does not win, it is immediately the defence that is criticised.

“One must know how to accept that and once the results come, we will be better, it’s logical.”

Lejeune admits there is still work to do at Newcastle but feels the move is going well.

He said: “It lacks a bit of everything. We have a fairly young team, most players have not experienced this division before, and success too.

“In some matches, at key moments we have not been able to make a difference.

“In the last three games, we can do things that are more interesting, more supportive and more compact. We saw that against West Ham. We managed to take the three points against a direct competitor.”