Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has demanded that his side learn from their mistakes after watching The Magpies fall to a shock 1-0 home defeat to struggling Blackburn Rovers.
United’s nine match run of consecutive wins was ended by a Charlie Mulgrew goal for the visitors with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Many fans branded the defeat as an off day nevertheless manager Benitez has demanded more from his players after a sluggish start to the match.
“It was very disappointing because I didn’t like the way we started the game” the United boss told the Chronicle Live.
“And I didn’t like the way the game was being stopped all of the time with free-kicks and corners without giving us the advantage. I didn’t like our reaction when we were losing.
“We must do better. I didn’t like the chances we didn’t take.
“That’s what happens, we must look to the next game and make sure we don’t make the same mistakes.”
Newcastle United enjoyed 66% of the possession in the match however it was Blackburn Rovers who impressed at St James’ Park with Owen Coyle’s side managing the game more effectively than the hosts.
After scoring 36 goals in 17 SkyBet Championship matches prior to Saturday’s fixture, Newcastle United managed just two shots on target against Rovers.
The defeat comes as little concern to fans of The Magpies who witnessed a similar defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in September before watching their side go on an 11 match unbeaten run and The Toon Army will hope for a similar response after the latest defeat.