Back-to-back victories have been secured by Newcastle’s excellent attacking set pieces. However, this defeat came courtesy of a defensive blunder in such an area.
There was to be no repeat for the third week in succession of the Matt-Ritchie-Jamaal Lascelles combination which had proven to be so effective against both Swansea City and Stoke City.
Instead, Ritchie’s delivery was found wanting - as was Jonjo Shelvey’s once he was introduced - and the Magpies proved to be uncharacteristically ineffectual from dead balls.
And, just minutes after the re-start, a defensive error cost Newcastle - and from a set piece too.
Captain Lascelles gave away a cheap free-kick 25 yards out on the left, Pascal Gross directed it towards the back post, where Dale Stephens headed it back across to Hemed.
On the turn, Hemed lashed a shot past Rob Elliot - and United’s defending of the free-kick certainly left a lot to be desired.
No doubt Benitez - who is a perfectionist, particularly when it comes to set pieces - will have been left angered by the Magpies’ attempts to defend that play.
You can guarantee work will be done to rid United of those mistakes on the training ground this week.