TIM KRUL claims Newcastle United’s much-improved showing against Chelsea has established a benchmark they will have to match for the remainder of the campaign.

Three days after crashing out of the Capital One Cup at the hands of a Sheffield Wednesday line-up that was effectively a reserves team, Newcastle’s players summoned up their best display of the season as they claimed a 2-2 draw with the reigning champions.

Chelsea’s two late goals mean they are still without a Premier League victory ahead of this weekend’s trip to Manchester City, but after a succession of below-par performances, Saturday’s display at least provided a timely reminder of the quality and commitment within the Newcastle squad.

The challenge now is to repeat it no matter what the standard of opposition, and having been extremely critical in the wake of last week’s League Cup embarrassment, Krul was delighted to see his team-mates produce a positive response.

“It’s always easier when people don’t expect us to get anything, but we need to be more consistent,” said the Newcastle goalkeeper, who was beaten by the flight of Willian’s floated free-kick for Chelsea’s equaliser, but who redeemed himself with a superb late save from a Ramires header.

“But we’re showing signs. The manager said it – it’s going to be a long journey with ups and downs, but this is the start.

“After Wednesday, I gave some quotes saying that we needed to be men, and I think that’s what we showed.

“That’s the standard we’ve set now. We showed that we’re capable. The fans reacted to that, and it was a shame to throw a two-goal lead away, but you can't complain about a finish like that from Ramires.”

Krul helped lead a dressing-room inquest in the wake of Wednesday’s cup defeat, and head coach Steve McClaren also issued some harsh home truths in the build-up to Saturday’s game.

The result was an increased level of urgency and desire, as well as a welcome willingness to be positive in possession and a concerted attempt to pose a threat in the Chelsea box.

Newcastle recorded ten attempts on goal at the weekend, and with Aleksandar Mitrovic impressing on his return from suspension, Ayoze Perez carrying a threat from attacking midfield and full-back Kevin Mbabu performing superbly on his first senior start, there is plenty to build on ahead of this weekend’s trip to the Etihad Stadium.

“Some strong words were said after (the Sheffield Wednesday defeat),” said Krul. “We had some meetings about it. It wasn't good enough, it was far below par. We know that, but at least we showed a reaction.

“That’s the reaction we should have shown two or three weeks ago, but at least we’re showing something. That’s something to build on. It’s a shame it wasn’t three points, but I think the first-half performance was top class.”

Krul has always been one of the more opinionated members of the Newcastle dressing room, but the Dutchman is urging his team-mates not to be afraid to have their say as they look to put their stuttering start to the season behind them.

“We need more people speaking, but unfortunately that’s not the style of some of the players,” he said. “It needs to happen though, and it has happened, which is good. People need to take more responsibility, and I think we did that.”