Howe will be encouraged by his team getting maximum points from a match that could have gone either way.
They have too often ended in draws and defeats. They withstood plenty of pressure, particularly in the first half, when Leeds started well.

Marcelo Bielsa nominally plays a 4-1-4-1, but it was common to see four forwards across the pitch.

Newcastle’s focus was on defending for the first half an hour, and Howe will take heart from shutting out the hosts during this period. He was indebted to his goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who bravely denied Dan James after a sweeping move created by Rodrigo surging forward and curving a ball towards the back post. Leeds’s pressure, though, did not translate into chances.

And while the game was level, Newcastle could threaten through counter-attacks or set plays. After one corner was cleared, Shelvey volleyed towards the top corner and Illan Meslier saved athletically. Their fluency was not aided by the injury to Joelinton, but Shelvey helped drive them on and was rewarded with his goal.

Javier Manquillo, on as a substitute, made the winner with a surging run which was stopped by Diego Llorente. Shelvey’s tactic appeared to be putting his free-kick into an area to cause maximum confusion. It had the desired effect, with Fabian Schar distracting Meslier as the ball drifted in. “I knew I had to go across goal. I think the keeper gave it a bit of help, but a goal is a goal and I’ll take it,” Shelvey said.

“This is a difficult place to come and play football because Leeds are constantly on the move, but everyone battled for the shirt.

“We know we can create chances and score goals, so it was just about seeing games out. We have never had any doubts, everyone is in this together.

“We will keep going, and we believe we have enough to stay up.”

Bielsa had accused Newcastle of time-wasting from early in the game.

“This was evident,” he said. “Those in charge have the tools to prevent it.”  He may also take a dim view of Mateusz Klich angrily kicking his tracksuit top in the technical area when he was substituted. Newcastle fans, in contrast, were jubilant after their rare away win, just their second victory at all this season.

“The supporters were in the match and you can hear them,” Howe said. “It can be a hostile ground, but it makes you think how much they have – makes you think what could be if we bring consistent success here.

“You enjoy the win for a few seconds and then relief will be one of the emotions because you know how much the staff and players put in to bring success to the club.” Howe confirmed Joelinton had a groin issue, Lascelles felt his hamstring and Dummett suffered fatigue, so victory came at a cost, although it seemed worthwhile to those dancing in the stands.