Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has refused to criticise his players for the level of effort they put in during their 1-0 defeat at Everton.

The Spanish coach insisted that his side's work rate could not be faulted at Goodison Park, but admitted that their passing in the final third let them down.

"We play as a team. The style, the type of football was not amazing but they won and that was it," Sky Sports News quotes Benitez as saying.

"We had two or three chances. I thought we were very close [to a point]. I am pleased with the effort of the players but this final pass in the final third can make the difference.

"We are really strong. Just to stay in the Premier League was the target and we are really pleased with that. We have to be ready for the next game."

Newcastle remain in 10th place following the defeat at Everton.