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The surprising stats that epitomise Newcastle’s battling mentality which will see them survive – opinion

Steve Bruce has overcome the odds in the Premier League this term, surviving a catastrophic injury backlog, fan protests and takeover talk to guide Newcastle United to 14th in the table with 11 matches of the season remaining. However, of late the Magpies’ form has dropped off a cliff at the worst possible moment, with Premier League safety almost in their grasp Newcastle have won just one of their last nine top-flight matches. But there are some positive signs which highlight there is hope on Tyneside yet, chief amongst which is the proportion of late goals the Magpies have scored.

Newcastle United are the joint lowest scorers in the division on 24 goals, but a stunning seven of those strikes, almost 30 per cent, have come in the final ten minutes of matches, as per the WhoScored. Having scored nearly a third of their goals this term in the dying embers of games epitomises the incredible mentality Bruce has forged amongst a group of players whose own manager has questioned their quality on the ball.

While their style of play is less than easy on the eye, having retained the lowest average possession in the division 39.8 per cent, their mental resilience to never say die is unquestionable. Those seven strikes within the last ten minutes of matches have earned Newcastle United 11 of their 31 points this season, as per the WhoScored. Without the last gasp efforts, the Magpies would be languishing in the relegation zone, above Norwich City alone.

In spite of their atrocious run of form, their ability to snatch draws and victories has seen Newcastle accumulate points they simply have not deserved. The 1-0 win over Chelsea comes to mind, where Isaac Hayden buried a 94th-minute winner to spark scenes of jubilation at St James’ Park. The following weekend Florian Lejeune did the unthinkable to net in the 94th and 95th minute, dashing Everton’s dreams and securing a vital point. It is the story of Newcastle’s season, so often they have appeared to underperform but still completed the task at hand, and it is the reason they will survive.

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