Could Newcastle get dragged into relegation fight?

Malick Thiaw clenched his fist. Jason Tindall wrapped his arm around Kieran Trippier. Anthony Elanga jumped on William Osula's back.

This was a victory to savour for Newcastle United as players and staff posed for a celebratory photograph in the away dressing room at Stamford Bridge.

Eddie Howe's side had just showed their mettle with a committed display to record a rare away win against Chelsea

"You need the confidence that winning gives you," the Newcastle head coach said after the 1-0 victory last month.

Those words have taken on another meaning since then.

Newcastle have subsequently lost five successive games in all competitions against Barcelona, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Arsenal.

It has now reached the stage where Howe has even been asked if he is looking over his shoulder.

Newcastle, for context, are eight points clear of the relegation zone in 14th in the Premier League with four matches to go.

But this side have also lost nine of their past 12 top-flight fixtures.

So have Newcastle already done enough or could they somehow get dragged into a dogfight?

'Our season has not been good enough'

Newcastle did not necessarily look like a team who were going to get pulled into a scrap on Saturday.

A group who previously appeared drained of confidence did not go under after conceding a ninth-minute goal against Arsenal.

In fact, Emirates Stadium grew more and more nervy as the game went on.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's relief on the touchline was particularly telling after Newcastle substitute Yoane Wissa volleyed over late on.