Manager Eddie Howe said 2022 has been a “year of real progress” after Newcastle finished third in the Premier League despite a goalless draw at home by Leeds.
The Magpies enter 2023 a club transformed from one which, three months after their Saudi-backed takeover, was 19th in the table a year ago.
“2022 has been a great year, a year of real progress,” Howe said. “The team has developed very well.
“We have achieved great results. There are big challenges ahead, but we are looking forward to them.”
Newcastle offered almost all of the attacking threat to St James’ Park but could not find a winner who would have given them a seventh straight league victory.
Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier saved Chris Wood and Fabian Schar perfectly in the second half – a half played almost exclusively on visitors’ territory.
Yet Newcastle are now unbeaten in 12 games – a streak dating back to August – and two points behind second-placed Manchester City. They are now just six behind leaders Arsenal, who can increase their cushion against Brighton from 17:30 GMT.
The hard-earned point for Leeds, who shot on target all game, moves them up one place to 14th.
Jesse Marsch’s side are now three points clear of the relegation zone.
Stubborn Leeds hold impressive magpies
To this manager, the idea of Eddie Howe refusing to rule out a title challenge, as he did before this match, would have been fanciful at best.
They finish the year in the top three for only the third time in the Premier League era – and the first since the 2001-02 campaign.
Much has been said about Newcastle as an attacking force this season with Miguel Almiron the most obvious improvement. Despite almost constant pressure, the winger was largely subdued by Leeds’ resolute defense which repelled wave after wave of Newcastle’s attack.
Sean Longstaff blazed from inside the area but otherwise Newcastle’s clearest opener came from set pieces with Kieran Tripper’s delivery which proved dangerous.
Meslier sprawled to block at Wood’s feet after a knockdown and saved with his feet to prevent Schar’s header.
Callum Wilson, fit again after illness, came on after 64 minutes for his first appearance since the World Cup but remained silent.
“It’s a sign of how far they’ve come that they were wasting time and doing everything they could to take time off the game,” Howe told Sky Sports. “All that was missing was the last third.
“It was one of those days for us. We had enough chances to comfortably win the game.”
Newcastle’s next game, a visit to Arsenal on January 3, will offer an indication of their ability to mount a title challenge.
Meanwhile, the close-fisted celebrations at the end of Leeds, whose only effort towards goal was a curling strike from Rodrigo deflected by Nick Pope, suggested it was a point earned from their perspective.
“I feel good to come here and get a draw,” Marsch said. “The first half was good from us, but in the second half they started playing every ball in our side.
“I’m happy with the way we handled the crowd and the mentality of getting a draw and keeping a clean sheet.”
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