Edited sentence: After scoring in all but three of their first 18 matches, they managed to find the net in only four more matches in their next 16, including suffering six defeats by three goals or more, and furthermore manager Alan Pardew was involved in a touchline incident in which he squared up to Hull City player David Meyler, resulting in a three match stadium ban and a further four match touchline ban.However following the controversial sale of star midfielder Yohan Cabaye, as well as suspensions and injuries to various key players, the Magpies season began to unravel.Many fans, as a result of Newcastle's turbulent second half of the season, called for Pardew to be sacked, however despite their rotten run of form, the Magpies secured mathematical Premier League safety on the 5th of April, their successful first half of the season enough to keep them in the top half