Eddie Howe delivers Newcastle United dressing room insight after Tottenham horror show

Eddie Howe has provided a small insight into the Newcastle United dressing room following the 5-1 hammering at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Magpies players trudged back to the away dressing room at full-time after being torn apart by their hosts in the second-half.

Howe’s men did go half-time level when Fabian Schar’s free-kick opener was cancelled out by Ben Davies within a few minutes.

However, it was essentially game over by 55 minutes with Matt Doherty and Son Heung-min making it 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Further goals from Emerson Royal and Steven Bergwijn inflicted a heavy defeat on Newcastle, the third time they have lost by a four-goal margin this season.

“I obviously spoke with the players,” Howe told reports in his post-match press conference.

“You’ve got to be very careful because everybody’s very emotional. Things can be said that maybe aren’t helpful, so I spoke and I think that’s the way it should be.

“I’ll always encourage the players, if they want to speak to each other. The minute I leave the dressing room, that can happen. I think it was important my message got through.”

It was the first time in 11 matches United had conceded more than one goal in a game.

During the club’s nine-game unbeaten, a lot of the success - six wins in seven matches - was built on defensive solidity.

That, of course, went out the window in North London.

“I just felt we chased the game far too early,” Howe said. “We became very, very expansive, taking risks in areas that we shouldn’t.

“It was in our desire to get back into the game. We had time in that second half to find a goal, but we committed too many men forward.

“I am being careful in not going too far in my criticism. It is a great mentality to have - but we needed to be smarter, especially when you have Son and (Harry) Kane sitting in just behind you.

“We were far too open, but it was in our desire to chase the game.”

Howe’s side host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday, their first game at St James’ Park since March 5 when they defeated Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1.