Downing is reluctant to label next Monday’s relegation six-pointer on Tyneside as a must-win.
Downing: “We definitely have to get something.
“I don’t want to keep saying this game is a must-win, that is a must-win.
“But there are only three games to go and we’ve got to win some of them and I’m confident we can win there.
“It is going to be built up massively because it is a local derby for one and there are important points at stake.
“They lost a big game at Liverpool and I fancy our chances of going there and getting something.
“We’ve got to keep playing until the whistle blows, I understand that.
“But I think there were some niggly fouls right throughout the game where the referee didn’t seem to blow. They were getting lots of decisions, which was a bit disappointing.
“But overall you can’t blame the referee, it’s up to us to perform.
“The first half was quite good but the second half petered out a little bit.
“The first five minutes of the second half was a little bit flat for both teams really.
“It was a bit like a pre-season game. It was dead quiet and then all of a sudden Rooney played a great ball to Park and it was a great finish.
“From then on we huffed and puffed but didn’t really have that final ball or cross or someone getting on the end of something.”