Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren has paid tribute to his players for their performance in Saturday's Premier League clash at Arsenal, despite losing 1-0 to the Gunners.
The Magpies had a number of chances to break the deadlock in London, but ultimately lost the match when Laurent Koscielny scored a header in the 72nd minute.
McClaren claims that he 'cannot believe' that his team lost the match, but admits that the strugglers need to be "more ruthless at both ends" if they are to move clear of the relegation zone.
"The players can't believe it, we controlled and dominated the game after the first 10 minutes. We asked for a performance and the players gave it, but we conceded one soft goal and lost the game. You can't fault the performance, we just have to be more ruthless at both ends," McClaren told BBC Sport.
"We caused them so many problems and controlled them at the back and we're bewildered how we have not got anything. In the last three games we have lost 1-0 against Everton in the last minute, 1-0 to West Brom in the last 10 minutes and this one. The spirit is tremendous and I can't fault them, I'm just really disappointed."
Next up for Newcastle in the league is a home game against Manchester United on January 12.
Matt Law
