Newcastle United assistant manager John Carver has claimed that a lack of a cutting edge cost the team in the 3-0 loss to Everton on Tuesday night.

Carver, deputising for the suspended Alan Pardew once again, insisted that the game at St James' Park was far closer than the scoreline suggested when venting his frustration after the match.

"Bags of credit to their manager and the team as they have put together a very, very good side," Pardew's assistant told nufcTV.

"I thought we started the game well and had three great chances in the first five minutes. We weren't clinical enough, and that was the difference on the night.

"We went in 1-0 down at the break and were disappointed with that because I didn't think there was a great deal between the two sides."

Pardew will be able to sit in the stands for this Saturday's trip to face Southampton.