Half time: Magpies 0 Foxes 0

55 mins Harvey Barnes strode upfield and parted United's midfield with worrying ease; Jamie Vardy's pull back inside the box allowing James Maddison to gleefully belt the ball home. Maddison blues, again. 0-1

72 mins Youri Tielemans took Marc Albrighton's infield pass from the right and effortlessly passed the ball into the Leazes End net from distance, recent arrival Jonjo Shelvey looking on helplessly. 0-2

82 mins James Justin brought down Sean Longstaff towards the left side of the box. Matt Ritchie's free kick was headed away initially by Wesley Fofana but fell to Andy Carroll inside the box and he returned it left-footed, first time past Schmeichel. 1-2

Full time: Magpies 1 Foxes 2

Despite seeing Andy Carroll break his scoring duck, Newcastle suffered their usual home defeat by Leicester City on Sunday afternoon, remaining winless in each of their last six league and cup outings.

Reaching the interval goalless, United conceded ten minutes after the restart when James Maddison blasted in an unstoppable effort at the Leazes End.

The Foxes then appeared to have sealed their sixth successive victory at SJP and seventh away win this season in the Premier League when Youri Tielemans beat Karl Darlow from distance in the 72nd minute.

However Carroll shot home following a free kick just three minutes after coming off the bench to register his side's first goal in 378 minutes.

That was the prelude to some ham-fisted attempts by United to fashion an unlikely equaliser, but City came closer to netting again before full time.

Forced into one change from the side that held Liverpool due to Isaac Hayden's suspension, Steve Bruce paired Sean Longstaff in midfield with younger brother Matthew - the first time they've started together since the FA Cup victory at Oxford United last February.

Back too came Miguel Almiron at the expense of Jacob Murphy, as the hosts retained a five man back line in their quest for back to back clean sheets - something they've not achieved since last June.

Leicester meanwhile recalled Jamie Vardy and he twice got through the home defence in the opening stages, only to be caught offside on both occasions - the latter after shooting into the unguarded net from a narrow angle.

That heralded a passage of possession from United and a Joelinton header at least on target, even if presenting no challenge to Kasper Schmeichel.

Newcastle's display was a continuation of that seen against Jurgen Klopp's side: some reasonable pressing and attempts to play out of defence, but no more of an attacking threat, Almiron unable to complete a forward pass.

Half time arrived with neither goalkeeper really involved in the game and referee Robert Jones having had no less than three touches of the ball - about on a par with Callum Wilson.

Hopes of a Toon breakthrough rose after the break; Almiron twice taking possession in central positions but failing to thread balls through to Wilson.

Matt Ritchie's centre from the left then zipped across the City area with nobody attacking it before City went ahead through James Maddison.

That prompted a double change and a reshuffled home formation; Almiron and the equally skittish Joelinton replaced by Murphy and Jonjo Shelvey.

Murphy quickly engineered a chance, but hung back in the box for the return ball as it was slung across the six yard box by Matty Longstaff.

City then roused themselves again and doubled their lead thanks to another precise strike; Tielemans taking Marc Albrighton's infield pass from the right and effortlessly passing the ball into the net from distance.

After Vardy pinged a shot off the United goalframe only to see the offside flag raised again, the Magpies finally managed to make a set piece count, after James Justin brought down Sean Longstaff towards the left side of the box.

Ritchie free kick was headed away initially by Wesley Fofana but fell to Carroll inside the box and he returned it left-footed, first time past Schmeichel.

Chances appeared at either end as things began to get a little ragged; Wilson hitting the 'keeper with his shot only to be called offside and Darlow bravely coming out of his goal to block a Barnes effort.

However that was it for United, five minutes of added time running away with nothing more to show for it.

The final result looks better than the actual Newcastle performance; asking no questions for the bulk of the game and content pursuing a policy of containment before ending up empty-handed. 

The bleak reality is that taking one point from our festive fixtures against Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester City - and ending up with an aggregate goal tally of 1-4 - is above the meagre expectations of many fans.

It doesn't mean it's good or even acceptable, just not as awful as feared.  

For all his bluster, Bruce can have absolutely no complaints at losing this game after the side he selected made no attempt to win it. While the wild card that was Allan Saint-Maximin remains unavailable, we have nothing else but the big lamp to the big lad. And even that is poorly executed.

While Leicester are improving on the field and off it (recently moving into a substantial new training facility), the only question about Newcastle seems to be whether they are stagnating or actually declining.

Putting aside the FA Cup diversion, our trip to Bramall Lane on Tuesday week now looks pivotal as to what sort of 2021 we will enjoy - or endure.

The Blades are winless in all 17 Premier League games this season (and the last three of the 2019/20 campaign).  How's the banana skin did you say?

Biffa