Game – an activity that people participate in, together or on their own, for fun. Chore – something that is unpleasant, difficult, awkward or boring to do. But definition is absent at Newcastle United, where the team played as if wading through treacle and the club’s future has the clarity of mud. Fun – remember that?

Wigan Athletic, who acquitted themselves well given a dearth of first-choice strikers, railed against the world after a refereeing decision of toe-curling paucity left them with ten men for the final 36 minutes.

The first half, which began with Ryan Taylor ballooning a shot above Shay Given and featured the early substitution of Joey Barton – who left St James’ Park on crutches and was due to have a scan on a knee yesterday – was distressing. In terms of incident, the second was better, but nothing was uplifting.

Joe Kinnear, whose present deal ends a week today, has restored coherence to the first-team squad, but the interim manager has his hands tied. “It is day-to-day with me, workwise,” he admitted, which is no way for a club to be run. Planning is impossible. Michael Owen and Nicky Butt are out of contract next summer, Shay Given is being linked with a transfer, Barton hardly inspires adoration. In the 74th minute, after Owen had prompted a fine save from Chris Kirkland, a Newcastle supporter raged and spluttered in front of the dugout.

By that stage, Newcastle had been galvanised by the dismissal of Emmerson Boyce for a second bookable offence – he won the ball cleanly but was judged by Andre Marriner to have fouled Shola Ameobi.

Three goals in nine minutes – Owen restoring parity, Obafemi Martins grasping an unlikely advantage with a thunderous effort, the unblemished Titus Bramble converting a towering header – altered the scoreline, but not the perception.

Mess – a chaotic, confused or troublesome state or situation.

Newcastle United (4-4-2): S Given 7 – H Beye 5, F Coloccini 4, S Bassong 6, J Enrique 3 (sub: C N’Zogbia, 68min 5) – J Gutiérrez 5 (sub: M Owen, 68 6), N Butt 5, J Barton 3 (sub; D Guthrie, 17 4), D Duff 5 – F Ameobi 3, O Martins 6. Substitutes not used: C Caçapa, S Harper, Gérémi, A Carroll. Booked: Beye. Next: Chelsea (a).

Wigan Athletic (4-4-2): C Kirkland 7 – E Boyce 6, T Bramble 8, P Scharner 7, M Figueroa 6 – A Valencia 7, W Palacios 7, L Cattermole 8, R Taylor 7 (sub: D de Ridder, 82) – O Kapo 7 (sub: M Brown, 90), H Camara 7 (sub: K Kilbane, 90). Substitutes not used: M Pollitt, T Cywka, T Kupisz, J Routledge. Booked: Boyce, Bramble, Palacios. Sent off: Boyce. Next: Everton (h).

Referee A Marriner Attendance 47,657