Bruce searches for solutions after Norwich run the show

This was not a football match, it was an ordeal, something to endure, never enjoy. Newcastle were dreadful, terrible in every area, they lacked everything a team need to win at home, yet still Norwich City could not beat them.

That explains why the visitors are bottom of the table, although it is hard to fathom why Newcastle are so far above them.

This was their third abysmal performance in a row. There comes a point when you cannot hide behind results; cannot excuse how badly you are playing by pointing to the table. You cannot keep asking fans to watch a team who chase the ball rather than play with it, especially at home.

“The only positive is we played so badly and didn’t get beat,” Steve Bruce, the manager, said. “We looked tired and jaded in attack, we must offer more on the counter, we can’t get out of our defensive shape and cause teams problems. But when we change the shape, we have been badly beaten.”

Somehow Newcastle are unbeaten in seven games and moved a point closer to safety. But it will have to get easier to watch at some point.

Norwich were brighter, busier, probing and pushing. Newcastle created one chance, Joelinton’s header well saved by Tim Krul.

The visitors created far more, Teemu Pukki missing three chances he should have taken, and Kenny McLean also missed a header from six yards.

“We have to be pleased with the quality of the performance, but of course we should have won,” said Norwich manager Daniel Farke.