Joint-fourth fewest goals conceded
Paul Dummett’s return from a lengthy injury lay-off in the latter stages of December has been instrumental in the defensive improvement that has underpinned Newcastle’s turnaround in form, while the left-back’s superb form is a credit to the coaching of Benitez.
The arrival of Martin Dubravka and reintroduction of Florian Lejeune are also factors, with Benitez seemingly settling on a preferred back-five – Dubravka included – and allowing his defensive unit to develop a strong consistency and understanding.
United’s current ratio of conceding is a goal-per-game (10), keeping four clean sheets, in 2018 compared to two-per-game in the last 10 games of 2017 when they conceded 20 and recorded a single shutout between mid-November and 31 December.
It puts them level with Burnley with the fourth best defensive record in the top-flight this calendar year, behind Spurs, Man City and Man United.
