And the worst thing is that we predicted it. In the street, outside SJP, around 5pm. Asked what we thought the outcome would be, our instant and cynical answer was "an away win...with an OG." 

Gallows humour outside the Gallowgate End - if only we'd downloaded that mobile betting app....

Forty years of coming here doesn't diminish the sense of anticipation, or the eternally unrealistic hope that we'd upset the odds and defy logic to somehow come out on top against a City side who quite literally galloped past us 3-0 last time they were here, en route to winning the title. 

Sadly that attendance also gives ample evidence of the inevitable tragedy that lies around each corner - or set piece. Be it being badly beaten in Cup Finals, ending up as giant-killing fodder or even marking the receipt of Manager of the Month trinkets by routinely losing the next game. We've seen it all - and much of it hasn't been good.

Fleet Foxes was our headline back in November 2015 and any faint air of optimism that this would be any different two years later evaporated when the team was announced - an audible groan in the pub as it became clear Jamaal Lascelles wouldn't return to steady the defence. 

In truth though, it's beyond the capabilities of one player to alter what is becoming a unfair fight with with unpleasant echoes of the 2015/16 campaign quickly beginning to surface. 

That ended with a team boasting a clutch of talented players being found wanting in guts and application, but soon snapped up by top-flight sides to thieve a living elsewhere. This time, the desire and application seem to be there, but a less gifted squad lacking experience is struggling. 

That's not to say that some of the players cannot perform better than they did today: some poor decision-making, slack marking, inept tackling and rotten passing are as symptomatic of lapses in concentration as much as a lack of proficiency. As apprehension grows, confidence ebbs away.

After having failed to net here against either Bournemouth or Watford despite making reasonable starts to both games, scoring the first goal seemed absolutely vital for Newcastle and within the first five minutes the ball was in the back of the opposition net. 

Like the moments before kickoff, the goal celebrations brought back memories of happier times past here, including some against City. Most notable in that was the epic Al-inspired 4-3 win in February 1997, but the 7-1 Championship victory in May 1993 came to mind - a day that seems a trillion miles away from where we are now.

Those noise levels were akin to a "cup tie atmosphere", but sadly this game also came to resemble a Cup tie on the field - with the visitors from one division and the hosts from another, lower one. It's hard to pick one home player that would get in City's team - or even on their bench. 

Had Dwight Gayle followed up his assist for Joselu by tucking the ball inside Kasper Schmeichel's far post rather than just past it from our next attack then things may have been slightly different.

As it was though, the lead was held for barely quarter of an hour before Riyad Mahrez netted, although Demarai Gray had come close to emulating Watford's Will Hughes in the previous home game (and of course Tottenham's Delle Ali) by scoring against the side who scouted him for an eternity but opted not to open the cheque book for.   

Schmeichel did keep out a Murphy effort before the break as United tried to respond, while Joselu headed a Ritchie corner wide before the Foxes went ahead via a deflected goal on the hour.

Christian Atsu and Ayoze Perez were introduced and within minutes United got back on terms when it was Gayle's turn to benefit from a deflection taking a shot in the box into the goal.

At that point, with the crowd back onside United looked slight favourites to find a winner and Gayle shot across Schmeichel only to evade the far post as the game entered the final stages.

Taking a point off a City side who recently saw off Spurs would have been a good result, but in classic Magpies style, the final act of this never-ending farce was still to play out. 

Another speedy break upfield by Leicester seemed to have been checked, only for Jamie Vardy to pick out Shinji Okazaki in front of goal, who shaped to shoot only to be denied by the arrival of Ayoze Perez - who promptly toe poked the ball beyond Darlow to shatter home hearts.

This is your life. 

Newcastle United, flattering to deceive and shooting themselves in the foot since 1892.

When the hearbreak subsides though, it's fair to say that we learned nothing new today, nothing that wasn't spoken about already by Rafa Benitez after the last transfer window closed, be it the lack of a commanding goalkeeper or the full back situation. 

If there is a positive, it's the return to fitness and scoring form of Dwight Gayle - along with some useful contributions from Joselu, still frustratingly out of touch at other times, but putting more of a shift, winning more in the air and being rather more disciplined than a certain muscle-bound Serb.

That a second tier side playing in a higher league will suffer due to collective incompetence when pressurised by superior opponents isn't unfortunate, it's inevitable. He told you so, but you knew better - the chancers who brought you Xisco, Ferreyra, Doumbia and Christ knows who else.

Victory here would have seen Newcastle propelled six places up into tenth, but our loss coupled with West Ham beating Chelsea means we stay put, just two points above the Hammers in 18th spot.

Defeat by Everton on Wednesday will leave us in an even more perilous position, ahead of visits to Arsenal and West Ham followed by the prospect of more torture at the hands of a Manchester City side that look to be an improvement on previous incarnations that haven't lost here in ten visits.

By the time Brighton come calling, we could be in a pretty pickle indeed - especially if the absentee landlord who preferred to go on holiday in the USA rather than show his face here is still in control.

So the anniversary party that began as a grand celebration ended in silence, flags at half mast. 

The grim history of what has unfolded here over the last decade meant that a posse of special guests remained absent - or uninvited, for fear their presence would be too strong a reminder of what has almost willfully tossed away, be it good will or experience.

Had there been a birthday cake, the collective wish when blowing out the candles wouldn't have in doubt - there needs to be rapid change at the top, and we don't mean the manager. 

New ideas, new enthusiasm, new hope and a new custodian are desperately needed to end this damaging impasse. Without that Rafa is wasting his time, and so are we.

Biffa