The back door has not only been slammed shut but it is barred and bolted. Maybe Newcastle plundering nine goals in their previous two matches had diverted attention but the real reason only one Premier League game has been lost in 10 is because of their defensive resistance.
A miserly nine goals have been conceded all season and no one in the top flight has better figures than that. United leaked 62 goals in each of their last two league campaigns but those days of generosity are long gone.
The Red Devils of Manchester United were the latest to be denied and indeed Newcastle might have made it three back to back victories had big Joelinton not reverted to nature. A gifted, natural midfield powerhouse, the Brazilian suddenly became the toothless centre-forward of old with little more than 20 minutes gone.
