Eddie Howe admitted Newcastle United s performance in the 2-0 loss at Crystal Palace on Wednesday was way off the one that saw them thump Tottenham in their previous game.
Howe s men hammered Spurs 4-0 in their last match, but they never got close to matching the attacking verve from that outing and a Jean-Philippe Mateta double condemned the Magpies to defeat at Selhurst Park.
Newcastle didn t even manage a shot on target until the 87th minute, accumulating just 0.42 xG (expected goals) as the likes of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon struggled to make an impact.
Only against Manchester City in August (one) have Newcastle recorded fewer shots on target in a Premier League game this season than their two against Palace, and Howe was critical of his team s display in the loss, one that all but ends their hopes of finishing in the top four.
[It is a] bad day for us, Howe told Newcastle s club media.
I thought we were disappointing today, especially in the first 60 minutes. We were way off our levels against Tottenham and our best levels.
I thought technically we didn t deliver a good performance, and out of possession I don t think it was a particularly good performance either.
Defeat at Selhurst Park.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC)
Newcastle were unlocked twice for Mateta to score by a Palace side who themselves only generated 0.88 xG.
Howe was left frustrated by the manner in which his side conceded, adding: I think we ll be disappointed with our performance technically today, and that s probably epitomised by the two goals where we re disappointed with how we ve given them the ball in those situations and then how we defended.
I think the goals sum up aspects of our performance where there was some good, lots of moments that could have led to opportunities, but we were slow to shoot around the box, he said.
The defeat, combined with Manchester United s 4-2 win over Sheffield United, means Newcastle drop to seventh, while eighth-placed West Ham are two points behind with a game in hand.
Newcastle have now lost eight of their last 11 Premier League away games, while they have lost on four occasions in London in the league this term, only doing so more times in a Premier League season in 2000-01 and 2005-06 (both five).
It s been a disappointing season for Howe and his side, especially compared to the heroics of last term when Newcastle finished in the top four, and the Magpies boss knows there s work to be done to get back to those levels.
It s a day that we have to take our punishment, deal with it, and then try and improve, Howe continued. It s frustrating because we know we re capable of much better.
