Why has this season been a struggle for Newcastle?

Newcastle's training ground was a "sombre place" after Howe's side lost the Wear-Tyne derby in December. It will feel like a morgue following this defeat. It is one thing conceding seven goals against Barcelona at the Nou Camp - quite another for Newcastle to lose to their bitter rivals at St James' Park just a few days later.

But such extreme setbacks are in keeping with Newcastle's wild season. Just when Howe's men appeared to be generating a little momentum - defeating Chelsea and Manchester United in back-to-back league games - they have been brought crashing down to earth. But you never know what you are going to get with this team, which has been a recurring theme throughout a rollercoaster campaign.

On one hand, Newcastle reached the last 16 of the Champions League for only the second time, as well as the Carabao Cup semi-finals for a third time in four seasons. On the other, they have suffered a whopping 13 league defeats. A side who looked primed to kick on after qualifying for the Champions League and ending a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy have never truly got going with a sustained run this season.

However, there was a recognition internally that there would be choppy waters to navigate after Newcastle lost star striker Alexander Isak, missed out on a host of top transfer targets and made four of their five permanent additions in the final fortnight of the summer window. It has taken the overwhelming majority of Newcastle's signings time to make an impact. Newcastle spent £124m on Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa yet the pair did not even get on the field at the Nou Camp this week.