Leeds United's efficiency versus teams stationed around and beneath them in the Premier League table since promotion was a cornerstone to their 2020/21 success.
This season, despite trying circumstances most weeks, Leeds had largely upheld this record.
Prior to kick-off on Saturday afternoon, Leeds United had faced teams below them in the table six times this season.
In each of those contests, Leeds were either triumphant or avoided defeat. Draws with Newcastle United, Everton and Burnley, as well as victories over the Clarets, Watford and Norwich City meant the Whites had been able to keep relegation concerns at arm's length.
Fortunately, that remains largely the case with Leeds still seven points ahead of 18th-placed Newcastle.
This is despite the fact Newcastle are the first team beginning the day in the relegation places to deny Leeds a goal since the Whites were promoted.
With the golden opportunity to go 11 points clear of the drop-zone, defeat at the hands of Eddie Howe's side feels like a particularly cutting and undeserved one.
"Fitness always plays an important role," Howe said of the breathtaking affair.
"Leeds will blow you away if you don't match them."
Leeds went into the contest with Newcastle as firm favourites, priced at evens with most bookmakers. The Magpies - with one league win all season and none on the road - were strong underdogs despite their proximity to the Whites in the table.
Marcelo Bielsa's men began strongly, peppering the visitors' final third with low crosses into the box, although the team were ultimately lacking a finisher on the end of them.
Following the resumption of the second half, Newcastle were notably more reserved, and Leeds struggled to build the sequences which had provided such joy in the opening 45 minutes.
Ultimately, a Jonjo Shelvey free-kick against the run of play sealed all three points on the day, as like a weary boxer, Leeds tired towards the end of their bout, launching speculative jabs in the form of balls being swung into a vacant penalty area.
A 17-day break between matches now affords Marcelo Bielsa and the vast majority of his squad the chance to recuperate from what has been a relentless campaign so far.
The likes of Adam Forshaw, Junior Firpo, Jamie Shackleton and Charlie Cresswell could return for the visit to Aston Villa on February 9.
