Newcastle United are the Premier League’s lowest scorers on 24 goals, and they have not found the back of the net in their last four top-flight appearances.
It has been their longest barren run of the season, and throughout that goalless period only Aston Villa have picked up fewer points in the division, none, while Steve Bruce’s side also have the worst goal difference with minus five.
The Magpies drew 0-0 with Burnley at the weekend, and they are slowly trudging towards survival in the Premier League, sitting 14th on 32 points, but they have utilised unusual methods to achieve that total.
No side in the division has played out a higher number of goalless draws than Newcastle United this season, seven, one more than both Crystal Palace and Watford. Those seven points may not seem like much, but in the relegation battle, they are incredibly valuable.
Overall Newcastle United have also had the least involvement in goals in the Premier League since the start of 2018/19, with 155 combined scored and conceded. It highlights how the Magpies have found a way to keep the opposition out and pick up enough points to survive without being free-scoring themselves.
Bruce pointed out after the weekends game that “We [Newcastle] have the best defensive record at home,” and the Magpies have needed Martin Dubravka to help ensure that, with the Slovakian goalkeeper making a Premier League-high 114 saves this season.
It has been as a result of incredibly resolute defending that Bruce has been able to guide Newcastle to within touching distance of safety and their goalkeeper has had an incredible hand in potentially helping to secure their top-flight status.
Only Brighton and Hove Albion have scored fewer than Newcastle United in the Premier League since the start of last season, 67, which epitomises just how appalling the north east club has been in front of goal. This term defenders have been responsible for half of Bruce’s sides goals, 12 and it just goes to show how vital they have been at not only keeping the opposition at bay but securing the points needed for survival despite obvious attacking deficiencies.
