Newcastle United will end the year in third place despite a frustrating 0-0 draw against Leeds United at St James' Park.
The dominant hosts had a number of chances to break the deadlock but Fabian Schar and Chris Wood were foiled by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier while the Magpies also blazed over on a number of occasions.
Here are five things we learned from the New Year's Eve clash.
READ MORE: Newcastle vs Leeds United highlights
Newcastle frustrated as players clash late on
This was always going to be a good test for Newcastle against a physical Leeds outfit. Pep Guardiola even went as far to describe Leeds as 'the most intense Premier League team' after his side's 3-1 win at Elland Road on Wednesday night. You soon understood why following a frenetic opening as Leeds disrupted Newcastle's rhythm from open play and the heavens opened.
There was not faulting Newcastle's effort but the hosts' frustrations perhaps told late in stoppage time as both Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes went into the book alongside Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier following a scuffle between both sets of players right in front of the Gallowgate, which ate up some precious seconds for the visitors. It proved one of those days as Newcastle dropped points at home for the first time since September. One saving grace for the Magpies is that Man City were also held at home, against Everton.
Poor finishing proves costly
Finding the back of the net has certainly not been an issue for Newcastle of late. In fact, Newcastle had scored 24 goals in their previous nine Premier League games.
Yet Newcastle lacked the same clinical edge they showed when racing into a 3-0 lead at Leicester City on Boxing Day earlier this week despite creating some decent openings. Newcastle caused Leeds real problems from set-plays - Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Sven Botman and Chris Wood all had decent openings from Kieran Trippier's deliveries in the opening hour - before the Magpies really started to get on top midway through the second half. However, Sean Longstaff then blazed over when he should have at least hit the target in both the 63rd and 68th minutes while Joelinton also missed the target following Allan Saint-Maximin's cutback late on.
Newcastle had 16 shots, five times as many shots on target than Leeds and a whopping nine corners, but Howe's side just did not have their finishing boots on.
But it's been some 2022 for Newcastle
Sometimes it is easy to forget that Newcastle ended 2021 in 19th place; now, 12 months on, the Magpies will finish the year in the top three for the first time since Sir Bobby Robson was in charge. That this 0-0 draw felt like a disappointment shows just how far Howe's side have come.
The Carabao Cup quarter-finalists are 14 games unbeaten in all competitions and have only suffered one defeat this season, against Liverpool, way back in August.
Bruno Guimaraes' special Pele tribute
Bruno Guimaraes paid his own touching tribute to Pele before the game. Bruno walked out in a Brazil shirt signed by Pele, which had the King's name and signature number 10 on the back, as he made his way to the centre circle for a minute's applause in memory of his countryman.
After players, staff and supporters from both sets of clubs had clapped for Pele, Bruno jogged to the touchline to remove the yellow shirt as fans shouted: 'Bruno! Bruno! Bruno!' before they broke into a rendition of 'We've got Bruno in the middle!' It was a special moment.
Newcastle owner sees summer target in flesh
You knew from the moment Jack Harrison was not risked in Leeds' defeat against champions Man City that there was a strong chance the winger could return against Newcastle. So it proved as the man who could have just so easily been lining up in black-and-white stripes started against his suitors.
Newcastle were in the market for a right winger last summer, after all, but Eddie Howe was foiled in his attempts to bring Harrison in. Indeed, Angus Kinnear, Leeds' CEO, even went as far as to say the offer Newcastle tabled was 'only for Jack Harrison's right leg'.
It is hard to see Newcastle reviving their interest after Miguel Almiron made the position his own. The Paraguay international has scored nine Premier League goals this season, as many as he plundered in his previous four campaigns in the competition combined. Harrison, in contrast, did not exactly catch the eye at St James' on Saturday and was hooked midway through the second half - long before Almiron went off - as Newcastle part-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi watched on.
READ NEXT
Newcastle have different FFP transfer hurdle to Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal after early moves
Everything Eddie Howe said on Leeds, injuries and January transfers at Newcastle press conference
Jurgen Klopp gives ultimate compliment to Newcastle after Liverpool boss' previous 'ceiling' dig
Selfless reaction hints at what Newcastle transfer targets have to do if they get dream move
Leeds United fume at having less rest than Newcastle but Jesse Marsch shows a 'lot of respect'
