Celebrations off pitch but defeat flags up United’s defensive failing

Newcastle United 2 Leicester City 3

NEWCASTLE United conceded an agonisingly late own goal to crash to a 3-2 defeat – and their fifth loss in six games. Here, we look at what we learned from a deflating evening on Tyneside, despite the uplifting 125th-anniversary celebrations.

JOSELU JUSTIFIES HIS SELECTION – AND HELPS SHOW 4-4-2 COULD YET WORK

The Spaniard was recalled to the Newcastle starting line-up after being left out against Chelsea – and it took him just four minutes to find the back of the net.

Jacob Murphy played a ball down the left wing, Gayle ran to the byline and cut the ball back to the penalty spot, where Joselu arrived to slot into the net past Kasper Schmeichel.

It was Joselu’s first strike since October 1, and it made him the first Newcastle player to reach three goals for the season – also making him the Magpies’ highest scorer this term.

Eyebrows were raised by some fans when they saw the teamsheet and noticed Benitez had decided to revert to a 4-4-2 formation, pairing Gayle and Joselu up front together again.

But, particularly during the first 20 minutes, it worked extremely well, with the pair linking up nicely; Joselu did a lot of the donkey work, while Gayle ran the channels and stretched the Foxes’ defence.

Gayle was arguably the most important player on the pitch for Newcastle – he created the opener and his pace unsettled the Leicester back four – but the Magpies forward was also guilty of squandering some excellent opportunities.

United have lost on all four occasions Benitez has fielded a 4-4-2 formation but, during this match, we saw enough evidence to suggest Joselu and Gayle were beginning to form an understanding – and this formation could yet pay dividends in the long run.

GAYLE IS A GOALSCORER – AND HE IS SIMPLY CRUCIAL TO THIS SIDE

Joselu may have made himself Newcastle’s top scorer so far this season but Gayle joined him on three during the second half.

In truth, the diminutive striker was the Magpies’ standout performer. He was excellent throughout, even if he did miss a couple of very good opportunities before eventually taking his goal in some style.

Gayle’s pace terrified Championship defences last season, and he has proven in recent weeks with goals against each of the last two Premier League champions, as well as Manchester United’s mega-expensive side, that he can find the back of the net in the top flight too.

The way Gayle took his equaliser proved that he is a natural goalscorer. Mikel Merino won a header on the edge of the area, it dropped to Gayle on the right-hand side of the box, and he faked to shoot on his right foot before cutting back on his left.

The shot had real venom and, after taking a deflection off Harry Maguire, it wrong-footed Schmeichel and found its way into the back of the net.

GAMES LAST FOR 90 MINUTES, NOT JUST THE OPENING 15... Newcastle need to learn from this. And they need to learn extremely quickly. How many times in recent weeks have the Magpies started well during the opening 15 minutes, before falling away completely?

They took the lead at Manchester United and Chelsea, and even started brightly against AFC Bournemouth and Watford during those two defeats.

Yet, on all of those occasions, Newcastle have allowed their intensity levels to drop dramatically following a bright start. In the Premier League, you simply cannot allow that to happen.

Against Leicester, United could have been 2-0 up during the first 15 minutes, with Joselu and Gayle linking up