Eddie Howe has reflected on Newcastle United's 4-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.
The Magpies remain adrift of their rivals at the foot of the table but teams are building up their games in hand above them with Burnley and Watford having an advantage in terms of rearranged fixtures.
Howe was disappointed after the clash with City but said: "It is a really strange game because the results look bleak for us, the reality of the game feels very different.
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"We gave ourselves a mountain to climb with the goal we conceded and hugely disappointing.
"We conceded a poor second goal, there were some contentious moments, the Ryan Fraser incident was a baffling one and I am unsure how it is not a penalty."
Howe then expanded on the incident and said: "I am not too sure what happened with VAR and the referee, the goalkeeper wipes out Ryan and it is a stonewaller, a clear penalty.
"To stand here and say I am pleased with the players, we got some things in the game right after three big defeats in a row but we have to look at the quality of the opposition.
"There was a good feeling about the team, a good structure and good moments in the match.
"We are heading in the right direction but a long way to go.
"We are without the ball for long periods, they are going to have the ball more than you are.
"To play them with two days less recovery and the physical efforts of the players was extraordinary after the efforts against Liverpool."
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