‘It didn’t feel like a heavy defeat’
EDDIE Howe does not believe that Newcastle United’s efforts warranted the heavy scoreline they were on the end of at the King Power Stadium.
After conceding three after the break, Newcastle will need to take a serious look at their defensive recruitment in the January window after this.
Too many times, a tiring Leicester were able to pick holes in their defence.
Howe said afterwards: “It was a strange game because I thought we were OK for large parts. We were ok in the first half and were a threat at times.
“We conceded a goal with the penalty – which was debatable whether it was. The scoreline looks like a heavy defeat but I didn’t think it felt like that at all.”
Howe’s side conceded a harsh penalty in the first half after Jamaal Lascelles’ foul on James Maddison.
Howe said: “It wasn’t ideal for our situation. The manner of [the penalty] as well is one that the referee gives at the time and it’s no way it will be overturned.
“It’s harsh for us. The scoreline is not reflective. Statistics show us that and my gut feeling tells me that but we have to regroup very quickly.”
Given it is Liverpool away next on Thursday followed by a home clash with Manchester City on Sunday, life will not get much easier for the Magpies.
Howe, though, said: “Every game is an opportunity.
“We’re hugely frustrated by some of our moments in the game.
“If we’d have shown more composure in the attacking third we could have made more of the moments.
“We just let the game slip away from us.”