IN FRONT of Mike Ashley, present at St James’ Park for the first time in 17 months, Newcastle lost their fourth consecutive home game yesterday, recording their worst ever start to a League season. 

With just two points on the road, and a trip to Old Trafford next Saturday, The Magpies give the impression of a team already condemned to a season-long relegation battle.

Their manager Rafa Benitez also had a weary air about him after the game, saying: “I’m disappointed. We’re lacking confidence. We knew it would be very difficult, but we have to carry on.”

Ashley’s presence was met with a regular chorus of abusive chants questioning his parenthood and imploring him to get out of the club, leading to a poisonous atmosphere. 

Despite this, the Magpies had the better of the opening quarter of an hour. Leicester have been consistently slow starters in the Premier League this season and Newcastle nearly caught them napping again.

First Joselu was played through by Ayoze Perez. He had time to pick his spot but took too long, allowing Harry Maguire to make the covering tackle. Minutes later Mo Diame sent a free header wide from 12 yards out. With that, Newcastle’s threat was gone.

The breakthrough for Leicester came on the half-hour mark when DeAndre Yedlin blocked Maguire’s shot with his arm. Jamie Vardy stepped up to tuck away the resulting penalty. 

Benitez’s decision to bring off Matt Ritchie after 65 minutes and replace him with Jacob Murphy was met with boos from all sides of the stadium.

Might this perhaps, just perhaps, be the first vocal signs of frustration with the manager’s tactics since he joined the club in March 2016?

“The supporters want to win and we want to win. And it is OK if we have some disagreements,” said Benitez.

Eight minutes later James Maddison swung in another corner and Harry Maguire was on hand to head home the second. It capped an imperious display for the defender in front of Gareth Southgate, cementing his position as one of the first names on the England team sheet.

Maddison, who was probably the real focus of Southgate’s attention, was impressive throughout.

Leicester boss Claude Puel wouldn’t be drawn on a possible call-up, warning that Maddison needed to maintain his consistency. “He has started in the Premier League very well, but it is important for him to keep good focus for his club,” said Puel.