Dean Smith makes Newcastle United scoreline claim as Norwich City lose 3-0

Norwich City boss Dean Smith doesn’t believe his side’s defeat to Newcastle United was a “3-0 game”.

The Canaries missed two golden opportunities through Kieran Dowell before Joelinton opened the scoring on 35 minutes.

Shortly after, the Brazilian doubled the lead before fellow countryman Bruno Guimaraes added a third just after half-time.

Smith pinpointed defensive errors as a reason for Norwich’s defeat, which further dented their very slim Premier League survival hopes.

Dean Smith rues defensive mistakes

“The scoreline, I don’t think it was a 3-0,” Smith admitted. “I thought there was nothing in the game until they scored that first goal.

“We probably had the better moments and didn’t take them and then we didn’t defend well enough for their goals and if you don’t defend well enough and make mistakes at this level you get punished.

“The league table doesn’t lie. We have been punished too many times for our mistakes and unfortunately we keep making similar mistakes that have cost us in the end.”

Smith reaction to Tim Krul’s error

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul gifted Guimaraes’ goal - his fourth since his £35million arrival from Lyon in January - on 49 minutes as he passed the ball directly to the midfielder before he produced a beautifully scooped finish.

Smith reacted: “Tim (Krul) will hold his hands up. He knows he has made a boo-boo. None of them mean to make it. Dimi (Giannoulis) got done for the first goal. Pace hurt us.

“As I say I didn’t think there was anything in the game and then they score a goal where (Jacob) Murphy gets in behind Dimi and pulls its back. Very marginal whether it was onside or offside, we’ve had plenty of them that have gone against us this season.

“Unfortunately, we have conceded quick goals in succession that took us out of the game totally.”