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Newcastle boss Steve Bruce 'has owner Mike Ashley's backing' despite fan anger at the team's style of play after being dominated by Chelsea

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has received the full backing of owner Mike Ashley despite the supporters' growing unhappiness at performances and results.

The Magpies are 15th in the Premier League having taken 11 points from their first nine games, but Saturday's listless 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea was yet another example of Bruce's men failing to create chances, as they managed just one shot on target and had just 29% possession against Frank Lampard's men, who would have won far more handsomely were it not for the brilliant Karl Darlow and some wayward finishing from Timo Werner.