Newcastle United were comprehensively outplayed as their winless start stretched to seven Premier League matches in a worrying 2-0 defeat at home to Leicester City.
Forgiving in both boxes and lacking quality in between, Rafael Benitez's side failed to ask regular questions of the visitors on Mike Ashley's first appearance at St James' Park in 16 months.
Benitez commented ahead of the match that he would welcome Ashley's return and his reasons were perhaps evident in a performance that could well have led the club's owner to conclude reinforcements are required.
Jamie Vardy struck the opener from the spot in the 30th minute following DeAndre Yedlin's panicked handball and Leicester's victory, their sixth in seven competitive meetings with the Magpies, was fittingly sealed with a second-half header from the influential Harry Maguire.
Passive for much of the first half, Newcastle were made to regret the two early chances they squandered.
Joselu first dallied over an opening that Maguire's sliding challenge snuffed out, before an unmarked Mohamed Diame headed Christian Atsu's inviting cross past the post.
Maguire was dominant in both boxes and it was his shot that struck Yedlin's raised arms for the penalty that Vardy converted for his third of the campaign.
Coolly converted! September 29, 2018
Newcastle improved to some degree after the interval and, with a result still within reach, Benitez's decision to replace Matt Ritchie in the 65th minute was met with boos that had until then been reserved for Ashley.
Regardless, the result never seemed in jeopardy and Maguire climbed over Ciaran Clark to meet James Maddison's corner in the 73rd minute, giving the in-form Foxes a third straight win in all competitions.
What it means: Grave concerns for Newcastle
Ashley's reappearance prompted the occasional chant in protest, but the Newcastle fans otherwise had precious little reason to raise their voices.
At home and against a team they should well be capable of beating, they should surely have been more competitive.
Maguire the match-winner
A key member of England's World Cup campaign exuded confidence and leadership at both ends of the pitch.
Maguire, still just 25, was a handful from set-pieces even before he enticed an error out of Yedlin and was richly deserving of the goal that sealed all three points.
Shelvey lacking spark
Jonjo Shelvey was not without company among Newcastle's poor performers, but his ponderous display was perhaps most concerning for Benitez.
The midfielder produced little despite seeing more of the ball than his team-mates, failing to connect with persistent attempts at playing early passes.
What's next?
Newcastle head to Old Trafford to meet Manchester United next Saturday as Leicester prepare for a visit from Everton.
‘He instantly popped into our ratings as one of the best U21 midfielders in Europe. The impressive thing is Slot has made him into more of a no.6' Inside Ryan Gravenberch's transformation at Liverpool
‘I don’t think Liverpool would look at Ollie Watkins, a striker isn’t a pressing issue for them – it’s Arsenal who need one’ Former Reds star explains why his old club don’t need an out-and-out forward this summer
