Matt Ritchie’s deflected goal lifted Newcastle United back to the top of the Championship but, with Derby County’s Tom Ince missing an extraordinary late sitter and Darren Bent seeing a last‑gasp header cleared off the line, Steve McClaren’s return to Tyneside very nearly proved unexpectedly rewarding.
A difficult week, in which Rafael Benítez made plain his displeasure at not being allowed to sign a single player during the January transfer window and his side stumbled to a disappointing midweek home draw with Queens Park Rangers, ended with Newcastle fans appealing to their manager’s emotional side.
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