Eddie Howe aims criticism after Newcastle crash to shock West Ham defeat - 'A game we'll rue'

But Newcastle were flat throughout the match at St James' Park, with goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka giving the visitors all three points.

The result has also lifted some of the pressure on Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui, who has struggled since replacing David Moyes back in the summer.

Howe, speaking about the result, has criticised his side's performance - and said sloppy errors cost them dear.

"The goals changed the game. The first goal, especially so early, made it difficult for us, but I thought we responded really well and we were the dominant team going in at half-time," he said.

"The game could have been very different if we'd taken one of those chances.

"Then they score again in the second half and we didn't respond well to that goal, we lost a bit of confidence and became a big ragged in the end.

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"I was pretty pleased with the first 60 minutes, albeit we're losing the game 2-0.

"There was a lot of good play from us, we did open them up and had chances to score. Unfortunately goals will always change the perception.

"The last half an hour I didn't like us at all and we became a bit too desperate to score and made some bad decisions with the ball.

"It's certainly a game we'll rue when we watch it back."

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The Englishman then added: "For both goals we'll look back and know we made individual mistakes.

"We can't give a player of Soucek's aerial ability that space in the box. That's disappointing from our perspective, having started so well.

"The second goal, too easy. Very uncharacteristic from us because we've defended well in recent weeks."

Hammers boss Lopetegui, meanwhile, was thrilled with his side's victory.

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“I am happy for the three points and am very happy against a good team like Newcastle, who have good players and a fantastic coach," said the Spaniard.

“I think today was a tough match and we were able to compete as a team.

“I think we deserved to win. Today they had many moments in the first half, but I think the second half we deserved to win and we are happy because you have to do these kind of matches against this type of team if you want to overcome them.”

Lopetegui is also hopeful the result can act as a turning point in their campaign, with West Ham now up to 14th in the Premier League table.

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The former Wolves, Sevilla and Real Madrid boss added: “I think the only thing that is under our control is to play football, to improve, to defend well, to convince the players we are able to do better.

“Today we did, but I think the only thing we can do is to do the things that are under our control, not today but every day.

“So we had to keep with this mentality, but above all let me say we are happy for the players because they need this kind of feeling as a team to believe that we are able to do well as a team, to put the best for each player of the team.”

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