Rafa said:

"We weren't expecting this kind of performance, we knew Huddersfield would be difficult to break down but we didn't play at the level we wanted to. We improved a lot in the second half but it's really disappointing.

"I've seen the team doing well in training but we have to show the same things in the match, the quality, the personality and the character. We've not seen that today. We made too many mistakes and we need to show that character and quality to improve things.

"The players on the pitch they were trying, they are good players. The players can do much better but we didn't play at the level we were expecting. The only positive today was the fans, they were behind the players."

On Matt Ritchie:

"He was stiff during the week and he was not training. “But we put him on the bench just in case we needed him.

"In the end we had to play him. I am happy, because he was good when he came on, but I’m disappointed because that was something we didn’t want to do. We didn’t want to take the risk (but) he seems to be fine."

Terriers boss David Wagner:

"My first feeling is that I am proud for my players. It was an outstanding performance, in terms of togetherness. 

"We were brave and we stuck to our match plan which was a lot different to what we played before. We scored with a transition twice and everyone helped each other. 

"In the first half it was very good. In the second half, if we want to win against Newcastle away - like all teams here - then you need a bit of luck and we had that in the second half. It was a great moment for my players to celebrate with the away fans.

"The supporters will be a big help for us if we want to take a step forward as a team and club, they showed that. They have to help us and we have to deliver also. 

"At the moment there is a great togetherness within the squad and it was great for me to see them celebrate with the supporters.

"All 24 teams can challenge in this division. We don't have any reason to dream. We have every reason to work and this is what we do.

"I was never a dreamer and I was always a worker which is why I am here at this club, this is a working club. We start again tomorrow."
 

Stats

NUFC 2009/10 Championship home record: P23 W18 D5 L0 NUFC 2016/17 Championship home record: P1 W0 D0 L1 Given that we never lost a home game in 2009/10, one has to go back to the previous second tier season of 1992/93 and a 0-1 loss to Grimsby Town in October 1992. Between then and now we went 39 home league games without defeat (won 28, drew 11, lost 0).  Rafa Benitez tasted defeat at Gallowgate for the first time since becoming Newcastle Manager, having managed three wins and two draws at SJP in the closing weeks of last season. United failed to win their opening home game for the fourth successive season since a 2-1 success over Spurs in 2012 that was sealed by an Hatem Ben Arfa penalty conversion. Home comforts? Last 25 opening SJP league results: 2016/17 Huddersfield Town lost 1-2 2015/16 Southampton drew 2-2 2014/15 Manchester City lost 0-2 2013/14 West Ham drew 0-0 2012/13 Spurs won 2-1 2011/12 Arsenal drew 0-0 2010/11 Aston Villa won 6-0 2009/10 Reading won 3-0 2008/09 Bolton Wanderers won 1-0 2007/08 Aston Villa drew 0-0 2006/07 Wigan Athletic won 2-1 2005/06 West Ham drew 0-0 2004/05 Spurs lost 0-1 2003/04 Manchester United lost 1-2 2002/03 West Ham won 4-0 2001/02 mackems drew 1-1 2000/01 Derby County won 3-2 1999/00 Aston Villa lost 0-1 1998/99 Charlton Athletic drew 0-0 1997/98 Sheffield Wednesday won 2-1 1996/97 Wimbledon won 2-0 1995/96 Coventry City won 3-0 1994/95 Coventry City won 4-0 1993/94 Spurs lost 0-1 1992/93 Southend United won 3-2 There was a debut for Mohamed Diame while Jesus Gámez and Ciaran Clark looked on from the bench ahead of what will be their competitive bows for the club. Huddersfield's previous victory over United came at their former Leeds Road home in December 1963 (0-3). Nine subsequent meetings in all competitions ended with five victories for Newcastle and four draws.  Terriers in Toon - Post War: 2016/17 lost 1-2 Gayle 2009/10 won 4-3 Guthrie, Geremi, Ameobi, Nolan (LC) 1983/84 won 5-2 Waddle 2, McDermott, Keegan, Beardsley 1971/72 drew 0-0 1970/71 won 2-0 Dyson, Robson 1964/65 won 2-1 McGarry 2 1963/64 won 2-0 Thomas, Hilley 1963/64 won 5-1 Taylor 3, Hilley, McGarry (FR) 1962/63 drew 1-1 McGarry 1961/62 drew 1-1 Wilson 1955/56 drew 1-1 Davies 1954/55 won 2-0 Keeble, Mitchell (FAC) 1954/55 drew 2-2 Curry, White 1953/54 lost 0-2 1951/52 won 6-2 Milburn 3, Mitchell 2, G.Robledo 1950/51 won 6-0 Milburn 3, Mitchell, G.Robledo,  Taylor 1949/50 drew 0-0 1948/49 lost 2-4 Hair, Milburn Full record v Huddersfield Town:   P W D L F A SJP 29 12 8 9 53 41 LR 28 11 6 11 39 40 League 57 23 14 20 92 81 SJP(FA) 2 1 0 1 2 1 LR 1 0 1 0 1 1 SJP(LC) 1 1 0 0 4 3 LR 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cup 4 2 1 1 7 5 Tot 61 25 15 21 99 86

Waffle

A virtual full house and vibrant support failed to inspire anything vaguely resembling a competent  performance; the truism of the twelfth man marginalised by the growing pains of the first eleven.

That magnificent 52,000 turnout was virtually identical to that which had bidden farewell to the Premier League by walloping Spurs three months earlier and neither relegation or the opening day defeat at Fulham had diluted their enthusiasm.

Sadly though, pundits predictions of greatness and the confidence boost provided by retaining the manager were to be undermined once again by losing to another unremarkable but organised opponent, whose game plan was well-executed and didn't include noticeable strong-arm tactics.

A dreadful first half was on the verge of being instantly wiped from the memory banks as the half time whistle loomed, only for Huddersfield to claim a goal in added time from only their second real opportunity of the half - the first having shaved a post.

As was the case at Craven Cottage, United improved after the interval and spent more time in the opposition half, but had very little to show for their territorial superiority, save for a penalty kick missed but instantly converted via a rebound.

Strong penalty shouts for handball were ignored against Fulham, but referee Oliver Langford was in the right to award United a spot kick on the hour that Dwight Gayle gratefully headed in after his initial shot bounced back off the 'keeper. 

That looked to have kick-started the season for the home side, who had struggled to gain any sort of momentum in an opening 45 minutes when Rolando Aarons was tried on both flanks and debutant Momo Diame seemed to lack both match fitness and clear idea as to his designated role.

Benched after suffering some reaction to Fulham that saw him unable to train, Matt Ritchie arrived for the second half and was the main focus of our attacking efforts, notably gelling down the right with Daryl Jamaat, while the grass grew unhindered on the opposite side.

There was an expectation at 1-1 that the game would revert to type and United would go on and win it, but aside from Ritchie's off-target header after a Paul Dummett cross, Danny Ward's gloves were as pristine as Fulham's David Button had been in the previous game.

Back in training but seeking a more "exotic" assignment, Moussa Sissoko had been a rumoured inclusion in the matchday squad but was omitted. Differing reactions to his presence may have divided fans, but by full time there was booing anyway - after Huddersfield broke away to net a winning goal with eight minutes remaining and spread disillusionment across NE1 and beyond.

If one word describes us so far, it's unthreatening. The meek may inherit the earth, but a place back in the Premier League will require rather more endeavour than we've shown so far. 

A significant uplift is urgently required, let's hope it's third time lucky against Reading in midweek - ahead of a visit to strong starters Bristol City and Chris Hughton's return with Brighton. Better days surely lie ahead, but it's fair to say that we'll not be prioritising the League Cup this season....

Biffa

This game saw an SJP debut for 5 year-old Evan Reed 
(proud father not pictured). Decades of misery await !