Half time: Bluebirds 0 Magpies 0

(90+6 mins Kenedy penalty saved)

Full time: Bluebirds 0 Magpies 0

Rafa Benitez:

On the missed spot kick:

"It was a poor penalty, he's not happy he missed a good chance. 

"A young player that has talent and he has to learn about the game and these kind of games. He will understand he can make the difference for us in one way, or the other way; it has to be in the positive way because he’s a great player.

We win as a team and lose as a team. I am not concerned about the fact he missed a penalty - he has to take responsibility."

On Manquillo:

"We don’t know - still, it’s too early - but he twisted his ankle. It could be a foul but was not even (given as) a foul. We will see if it is not very serious, and hopefully we have DeAndre Yedlin for next week.”

Colin said: 

"It would have been devastating to lose at that stage.

"My dad used to say 'what goes around comes around' so I think that was poetic justice, the penalty miss.

"Kenedy was a lucky lad (when he kicked out). I never even saw that Kenedy should have been sent off in the first half, like the referee I looked away and missed it. The fourth official saw it to give a foul but it was one of those things.

"There's never a dull moment, I thought it was a good 0-0.

"I'm quite pleased with the whole afternoon apart from not scoring.

"The last third we could have done better with the ball and create better chances and our free kicks were poor today, so things to work on there.

"Ken (Zohore) hasn't trained for two and a half weeks and he's such a big lad he's got to train. He's looked a lot sharper. I thought he did well.

"They knew they were in a game, the centre-backs. I was really pleased with him. So the only thing is we've got to get him a bit fitter so he can last 90 minutes.

Zohore said:

"We are going to learn as this season goes on. I am sure we will get some wins here at home as the home support is amazing, I love playing here in front of our crowd, it is the best.

"We need to create some more chances, of course, but I am confident I can score goals, I am sure they will come.

"The chances come so fast (in the Premier League), it has been a long time since I have played in a league game, but I thought I did well today."

One point gained or two thrown away? 

Whatever your view, this was an awful Saturday lunchtime in South Wales for Newcastle - both sides colluding to create instantly forgettable football on live TV. United's shortcomings were rather more memorable though, in the form of a red card and a missed penalty kick. 

95 minutes of uninspired toil had seen the visitors field four different players at right back, one of that quartet - Isaac Hayden - dismissed in the 66th minute.

Just when we appeared to have scraped a point after an equally toothless City side failed to create a goal or even an effort on target, a stray hand in the area gave us the opportunity of victory.

Sadly though with designated penalty taker Matt Ritchie already off the field and Joselu not trusted to reprise his rotten effort against Burnley last season, the burden from 12 yards fell to Kenedy.

His run-up was far from purposeful; side-footing straight at goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who had no problem in saving a second spot kick in as many appearances this season.

The Brazilian had struggled to make any positive impact, more concerned with selfish dribbling than actually passing the ball. Kenedy's only meaningful connection was with City's Victor Camarasa - kicking out at him right in front of hapless whistler Craig Pawson during the first half. 

The referee played his part in a frustrating afternoon, started off by booking Matt Ritchie, despite two home players injuring each other as our man attempted to win the ball fairly.

Having done nothing more than award a free kick after Kenedy's indiscretion, Pawson showed no mercy in dismissing Isaac Hayden for a challenge on Josh Murphy in the middle of the field. Within moments though he'd avoided red carding Harry Arter for a comparable assault on Joselu.

Ayoze Perez had two chances in the first half, finding Etheridge on both occasions, although the 'keeper almost let in Joselu when he spilled Kenedy's shot.

Martin Dubravka almost got in trouble when delaying a clearance but thankfully the block went away from goal, while a tenth minute header from Sol Bamba was cleared from in front of the line.

The game soon lost its way though and with Kenedy escaping punishment, Javier Manquillo was also lucky to stay on after continuing to pull back Josh Murphy having already been booked - the former Norwich winger showing the Spaniard a clean pair of heels.

Having had treatment before the break, Manquillo was replaced by Hayden at half time, although the defender showed no sign of his twisted ankle as he strolled out of the ground after the game.

Wantaway substitute Hayden looked equally uncomfortable and after several indiscretions, went into the back of Murphy in the 66th minute with what looked like reckless force. Pawson went for his pocket, paused momentarily and then showed a straight red that was undoubtedly justified. 

Apologising later via social media, Hayden rightly called the tackle needless and stupid - and he's dead right. Whether his desire to leave the club meant that he wasn't in the right frame of mind is unimportant - he'll certainly have no qualms about picking up his pay packet this week.

United arguably played their best football when a man short and after Arter survived despite his terrible hack, a sense of injustice seemed to fire-up Rafa's side in the closing stages.

Mo Diame was fouled on the "D" but Kenedy wasted the free-kick hitting it low into the wall, with Joselu slicing the follow-up out for a throw.

Then came the penalty incident, after substitute Yoshinro Muto's ball across the box was clearly handled by Bluebirds Captain Sean Morrison. 

Kenedy duly stepped up in front of the away fans and may have been confident, but just didn't look like he fancied it, reprising an equally poor dead ball attempt from slightly further out shortly before.

A quick poll of fellow sufferers confirmed that his miss was no shock.

With Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal next up in the league, a barely-deserved draw today at least got us off zero points. However, spurning the golden opportunity for a win that unexpectedly dropped in our lap was careless - and potentially of great significance come next May. 

Quite what the future holds for Neil Warnock's side remains to be seen, but their failure to beat ten men or even score against us doesn't bode well. Some watchers seemed to think that their brand of football had improved, but aside from Murphy's runs, the names had changed but nowt else.   

Few of our lot enhanced their reputations though and had the continuing shortages at right back not forced Rafa's hand with substitutions then there were plenty of candidates to be hauled off.

Former Swansea man Jonjo Shelvey did what he could to silence "Harry Potter" chants from home fans, supplying some incisive passes that neither Joselu nor Perez could capitalise on sufficiently. Other than that though, our regular brainless loss of possession was simply painful to watch.

A sizeable improvement over those next three daunting games is required if we're to avoid travelling to Crystal Palace next month for a "relegation six pointer".

We're by no means his greatest fans, but the likely return of DeAndre Yedlin next weekend is positive news, while the enforced loss of Hayden gives more urgency to the task of integrating Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez into a defence that can take little solace from keeping a clean sheet here.

Salomon Rondon's lack of match fitness meanwhile has to be addressed quickly, if only for giving his colleagues with some sort of target, a physical presence....and something for us to enthuse over.

Biffa