Eddie Howe makes defiant Newcastle United Premier League relegation battle admission

Newcastle United remain in a Premier League relegation battle, Eddie Howe admitted after the defeat to Everton.

It was an opportunity missed at Goodison Park as a win for the Magpies would have put them 12 points above the Premier League relegation zone.

Howe’s side played over 20 minutes against 10 men following Allan’s dismissal for the Toffees but ended up losing via Alex Iwobi’s stoppage-time winner.

“We’re still in a relegation battle, for sure,” Howe insisted after Everton “There’s been no other thought in our head.”

United travel to Tottenham Hotspur after the 16-day break before returning to St James’ Park for the first time since March 5 to face Wolves.

Howe’s men also face difficult fixtures against Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal in the remaining nine games.

Howe added: “We have to go to some tough grounds and have some difficult fixtures to come. We know we have to get points.

“We’re not safe. We’ve got a lot of work to do.

“That’s why this really hurts from our perspective because we pride ourselves on giving our best and delivering a really good performance.

“I don’t think it was there today and we need to look at why.”

Following a run of nine games without defeat, United have suffered back-to-back defeats at Chelsea and Everton.

Has complancecy crept into the Newcastle dressing room?

Howe said: “At no stage have we ever said internally… I’ve never heard any of the players say that they’re in any way of coming off where we need to be because we know the game can change very quickly and the Premier League is very, very difficult.

“We’re absolutely focused on getting the points needed to stay in the division.”