Newcastle United have already signed £32m 'phenomenon' as contract decision highlighted

Just when you feel Newcastle United are threatening to turn a corner, back they go two steps. That's kind of summed up their season, well, the last three months of it, anyway.

Despite the close scoreline, the 3-2 loss at Chelsea was far from the Magpies' best.

A Nicolas Jackson opener was cancelled out by Alexander Isak's 16th goal of the season before the break. But after it, things went south for Newcastle, with Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk netting. Jacob Murphy scored a late consolation.

Here's five key talking points from the game - and the wider context of the campaign.

Progress? What progress?

October will mark three years since the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia became the majority shareholders at St James' Park.

Champions League football has been secured and a first cup final reached in nearly two decades - both last season. So, in many ways, it feels like things have been heading in the right direction.

However, some of that progress is at risk of being eroded this season, particularly when you look at the league standings. Newcastle currently sit 10th in the division. For context, despite a near disastrous start to the season under Steve Bruce, United ended Howe's first campaign in 11th.

Four windows after that 11th place, Newcastle are one place higher in the league, as one of the biggest net spenders in world football. Like it or loathe, questions need to be asked.

Botman drop off - although not the only one

He isn't alone, but his is easily the most stark drop off. Sean Longstaff and Sven Botman has gone from one of the most unflappable, composed defenders to one of Newcastle's most consistently bad performers.

Their may be mitigating factors here. And if so, he needs taking out. If Botman is not recovered physically from his knee injury earlier this season, he needs taking out. If that's not the case, the players looks to be struggling mentally. Again, if so, take him out.

Howe needs to be bold. He literally has his club captain ready to come in and play. And if that's not an option he wants to take, that begs the question why Jamaal Lascelles is still at the club.

Gordon debacle - not a good look

I'm no physio, so I'm not best qualified to talk of diagnosis or injury, but I did not really like what I saw when the Newcastle physio bent Gordon's knee back. I've rarely seen a player jump so sharply in pain. I winced just watching it!

The bigger picture is, Gordon was flying, hadn't seen the treatment room all season and might well now not kick a ball for the rest of it. His England chances, of which he was due to be called this week, look to be up in smoke, too, as well as Howe's back up forward option to Alexander Isak.

Tino time!

He was given a run in his best role and was the best player on the park. Tino Livramento is a phenomenon.

And this week, Gareth Southgate is set to underline that with a call to the England squad. I mean, there aren't many other English full-backs at the moment, but there are not many in the form of Livramento, either.

His signing - a bargain by the way - in many ways, has papered over the cracks of what was a pretty disastrous summer transfer window, of course, without the ability to see into the future.

Next up... aye, that one

Just what you want on the back of this performance, an FA Cup trip to Manchester City. In truth, the season pretty much rides on it.

Can Newcastle produce what looks to be the near impossible? On this evidence, they'd be lucky to keep City down to five. But it is the cup - and you just never know.