Steve Bruce's Newcastle United ambitions put into perspective by Leicester City as Andy Carroll rolls back the years

But scoring in an empty stadium, in a home defeat to Leicester City, won’t have been in Carroll's script.

The striker, re-signed by Newcastle United 18 months ago, scored his first goal for the club in more than a decade this afternoon.

However, Carroll – whose previous strike had come against Manchester City on December 26, 2010 – left the field frustrated at a 2-1 defeat for Steve Bruce’s side, who matched their visitors in most departments, but were caught out by two quick breaks.

Bruce – who brought Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almiron into his starting XI in place of the suspended Isaac Hayden and Jacob Murphy – had spoken about his ambitions and hopes for 2021 before the game, the club’s first of the New Year.

“We've got a unique and fascinating club, which I'm delighted to be associated with, and my idea is to just try to improve and try to improve bit by bit,” said United’s head coach.

“Now that takes time, of course. I'll let other people judge whether we've improved or not, but that's my aim, to keep nudging us forward, and see if we can get up near that top 10, which would be terrific.”

That isn’t enough for third-placed Leicester, a smaller club than Newcastle but one with much bigger ambitions.

The team moved into a new £100million training complex before Christmas. United revealed plans for a “stunning state-of-the-art training complex” in 2013, but the proposed new facility was never built.

Bruce, appointed 17 months ago, maintains that he can build something, at least on the pitch, at the club, but fans aren’t so sure. They want progress, not a work in progress.

Supporters have seen a bit more spirit since Christmas, but United have lacked quality in the final third of the pitch.

Newcastle – who held champions Liverpool to a goalless draw on Wednesday night – took their time to get going. They had a couple of early let-offs, and struggled to get to grips with James Maddison.

Bruce’s side, too passive and pedestrian in the early minutes, slowly settled into the game. They looked to play and press higher up the pitch, but the team created next to nothing for Callum Wilson before the break.

An unchanged United tried to find a final ball in the second half, but time and again they couldn’t make that last pass, and Leicester took the lead in the 55th minute after a quick break forward.

Harvey Barnes broke upfield and played it to Jamie Vardy, who got past one defender before pulling the ball back for Maddison, who beat Karl Darlow with a first-time shot.

Bruce responded by sending on Jonjo Shelvey and Jacob Murphy. Shelvey was found wanting for Leicester’s second goal, an emphatic strike from Youri Tielemens.

However, United’s third substitute, Andy Carroll, did make an impact. The striker drilled a low shot home in the 82nd minute to give Newcastle some hope of a result, though Leicester were able to see the game out.