Newcastle United insist manager Sam Allardyce is not under pressure after Saturday's home defeat by Portsmouth.

Chairman Chris Mort refused to respond to reports that Allardyce is now facing the axe and Ashley has barely spoken at all since he bought the club just after Allardyce's appointment in May.

But a club insider told the Daily Mail: "Two weeks ago we'd had our best start to a Premiership season for 10 years and then we lose two matches, albeit quite badly.

"It just doesn't make any sense at all."