The unwanted all-time Premier League record Newcastle United set in 2021

The Magpies ended the calendar year sitting 19th in the Premier League table with the joint-worst defensive record in the division with 42 goals conceded in 19 games.

And United’s Premier League defensive record as a whole in 2021 has set a new annual league record.

In 42 top-flight matches in 2021, Newcastle have conceded 80 goals.

It’s the first time in Premier League history a side has conceded 80 goals over the course of a year, beating Ipswich Town’s previous record of 79 set in 1994.

The last top-flight team to concede more goals in a year was West Bromwich Albion with 87 in 1985.

Newcastle’s unwanted record is made more interesting by the fact they had only suffered two defeats by a margin larger than three – both of those came this month with 4-0 losses against Leicester City and Manchester City.

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