Eddie Howe urged his Newcastle United squad to take accountability for their poor Premier League form, though he was keen to point out Jordan Pickford's remarkable stop.

Everton claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory at St James' Park, where Newcastle have now lost their last three league games.

The Magpies twice came from behind to restore parity, but on each occasion, they conceded within two minutes of scoring.

In fact, Howe's side have lost five of their last six league matches, with their sole victory in that run coming against Tottenham on February 10.

Newcastle, who are into the FA Cup fifth round and the last 16 of the Champions League, have a daunting run of fixtures coming up in March, and Howe claimed their solution is as simple as his team needing to be better.

"Tough game for us, worked so hard to get back in the game twice, and then conceded inexplicably straight after scoring, twice," a frustrated Howe told BBC Sport.

"It's a desperately disappointing result. I don't know if you can work out how that's happened. With 10 minutes to go on the clock, you'd be thinking we’re going to put everything at them to try and win the game. We make a couple of unforced errors and that's where the goals come from.

"It's not a good look for us. We have to take accountability, because you never concede a goal just down to one person. We have to do better in those moments. Our defensive record in the last few weeks has not been good enough in the Premier League – ultimately, it's going to cost you games."

Newcastle have lost three consecutive Premier League home games for the first time since February 2021, and asked why his team were struggling to hit their best in the top flight, Howe said: "It's a big challenge for us to lift ourselves back into the Premier League after the European games. It takes a lot of physical effort.

"We've not done it well enough. I don't think it's a lack of effort, but we've got to admit to ourselves, we've got to do better."

Thierno Barry ultimately won it for Everton, bundling home in the 83rd minute, just after Jacob Murphy's deflected strike had dragged Newcastle level.

However, Everton goalkeeper Pickford came up with a huge moment in stoppage time, making a stunning save to tip Sandro Tonali's wicked volley onto the crossbar.

And Howe labelled it as among the best saves he has witnessed, giving the England shot-stopper credit for his effort.

"It was an incredible hit from Sandro, it looked like it was going in the top corner," he said.

"I've got to say, it's one of the best saves I've seen live. It was outstanding. When you put it in context of the time of the game and what it meant, it's a frustrating one for us."