Newcastle v Hull City: Key stats and talking points

Newcastle United seek a first home league win of the season as they face high-flying Hull City, the only team to play at St James' Park more than once in the Premier League and never lose (W2, D1). It's not all black and white for Newcastle Throughout Newcastle's unbeaten five-match start to the season, it was evident that this vibrant young team is, as is the nature of any rebuild, a work in progress. Monday night's bruising 4-1 defeat by Leeds merely brought the shortcomings into sharper focus. Matthias Jaissle's side had been defying some underlying metrics in the opening three league games, which made their positive start to the season look unsustainable. "We need to expect ups and downs," Jaissle has admitted. Putting aside the fact Newcastle were uncharacteristically outfought by Leeds, they have issues to address at both ends of the pitch – some predating the £265m-plus squad overhaul this summer. Newcastle have conceded 39 goals in 23 Premier League games this calendar year – only Crystal Palace and Chelsea have a worse record – and kept just two clean sheets in the last 20 of those. This season, the mid-table Magpies have faced the most shots in the division, while only three teams should have conceded more goals based on the quality of chances against them. In attack, Newcastle have had the joint-second fewest shots but scored seven times from an expected goals tally of 3.9. While the use of xG is divisive among football supporters, it does suggest an over-performance in front of goal that will be hard for Newcastle to sustain. [BBC] Continuity helping Hull thrive Fourth-placed Hull City are looking to become the first promoted Premier League side to avoid defeat in their opening five games since Portsmouth in 2003-04. Their impressive adaptation to the Premier League has come about while doubling down on last season's style of play. Hull have averaged just 29.3% possession this season but pressed their opponents aggressively and more often than any other side to win the ball and start swift counter attacks. Tellingly, the core of the team which earned promotion are still entrusted with implementing this approach – despite the club signing 18 players this summer. Seven or more of the starting XI in each of Hull's Premier League games so far were at the club last season, aiding the continuity of tactics and a feeling of togetherness. Eight of the 11 Hull players who have spent the most time on the pitch to date were part of the promotion-winning squad. Overall, players who were at the club last season account for 67% of minutes played by the Tigers in the Premier League. [BBC]