On the back of a heavy defeat at Oxford United in the FA Cup, they did not get off to an ideal start, shipping a last-gasp equaliser at home to Queens Park Rangers.
However, three wins in their next five outings kept the Magpies within touching distance of leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, ahead of a potentially crucial trip to the Amex Stadium…
Wednesday, 1st February
Newcastle United 2 Queens Park Rangers 2
Despite taking the lead through Jonjo Shelvey just 30 seconds in, Newcastle failed to overcome the struggling Hoops.
Conor Washington levelled matters before the break, but Matt Ritchie put United back in front early in the second half.
However, in the last minute of normal time, Ciaran Clark and Karl Darlow got into a muddle at the back, with the former heading into his own net to hand the visitors a share of the spoils.
Saturday, 4th February
Newcastle United 1 Derby County 0
Almost a year on from his sacking, Steve McClaren returned to St. James’ Park with Derby, having taken charge of the Rams for a second time.
United took the lead just shy of the half-hour mark, as Ritchie’s strike took a wicked deflection before looping over the head of Scott Carson.
Derby responded in the second half, and ought to have levelled through Tom Ince late on, but the Magpies held out to condemn McClaren and his side to defeat.
Saturday, 11th February
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Newcastle United 1
Almost four months since his last Newcastle goal, Aleksandar Mitrovic struck from close range as the Magpies edged a tight encounter at Molineux.
Just moments earlier, the Serbian – already booked – had incurred the wrath of the home support after colliding with goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, but referee Craig Pawson opted not to produce a second yellow.
Wolves upped the ante after the break, but – with Clark and captain Jamaal Lascelles imperious – United’s backline proved a tough nut to crack.
Tuesday, 14th February
Norwich City 2 Newcastle United 2
Newcastle’s last three meetings with Norwich had produced a whopping 20 goals, so it was no surprise to see the two sides contest another thriller in East Anglia.
Ayoze Perez slotted home after less than 30 seconds to put United in front, but the Canaries completed a quickfire turnaround thanks to Jacob Murphy and Cameron Jerome.
However, the Magpies came out fighting in the second half, and grabbed a deserved late leveller through Lascelles, who guided in Perez’s cross at the back post.
Monday, 20th February
Newcastle United 2 Aston Villa 0
The villain of the piece when playing for his previous club, Nottingham Forest, at the City Ground in December, Henri Lansbury endured a nightmarish evening at St. James’ Park.
The midfielder – criticised for his part in the dismissals of Shelvey and Paul Dummett two months prior – bizarrely skewed the ball into his own net to double the Magpies’ advantage.
Yoan Gouffran had opened the scoring in the first half, and – though they had displayed signs of promise early on – the visitors wilted after shipping a second.
Saturday, 25th February
Newcastle United 2 Bristol City 2
Perched just above the relegation zone ahead of the clash, few would have expected Bristol City to upset the applecart at St. James’ Park.
But, after racing into a 2-0 lead, the Robins almost sprang a major surprise.
Aaron Wilbraham and David Cotterill were on target for Lee Johnson’s side, but a Korey Smith own-goal – just before the hour-mark – gave United hope.
The Magpies then lay siege to the visitors’ goal, and grabbed a late leveller through Clark, who headed home from close range.
Tuesday, 28th February
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Newcastle United 2
Trailing 1-0 with ten minutes remaining, it looked as though United were heading four points behind Brighton at the summit.
With trips to Huddersfield Town and Reading – placed third and fourth respectively – to come the following week, defeat could have proved costly for the Magpies.
However, Mohamed Diame restored parity with a fortuitous effort, and – buoyed by their leveller – Rafa Benitez’s side completed the turnaround through substitute Perez, who picked out the near corner after a fine team move.
Victory – their first at the Amex Stadium – saw Newcastle leapfrog the Seagulls in the table.
