Eddie Howe insists Newcastle United "can't look for excuses" following their humbling 4-0 defeat by Manchester City.

The Magpies were outclassed by Pep Guardiola's side at the Etihad Stadium, where Omar Marmoush scored a 14-minute first-half hat-trick, while James McAtee completed the rout later on. 

It was Newcastle's biggest Premier League defeat since they were beaten 5-0 by the same opponents on the same ground in May 2022.

In fact, they have now lost each of their last 16 away games against City in the division, and Howe felt his players were lacking in the physical department against the reigning champions.

"It was a tough day at the office," he said. "They played well, we didn't. They are still the toughest team to play against. We were not at our best today.

"They ask so many questions of you, put you under pressure. They did not have a bundle of chances, but they did what they needed to do.

"From the off, we were lacking in duels, the physical side. Man City are so good in the build-up. To disrupt that, you have to be exceptional physically, and we weren't."

Newcastle struggled to create anything against City, managing just three shots, and only one on target, which came in the 60th minute via Lewis Miley.

At the other end, they gave up 11 chances, worth 1.89 expected goals, with the hosts sending seven of those at Martin Dubravka's goal.

Howe continued: "All the goals we conceded today, we will look back on with frustration. It becomes difficult when you chase the game today, really tough.

"We can't look for excuses, there are a load of reasons we could look at. But the players should have been fresh and ready to perform. They didn't.

"We've got some tough games, the fixture list will test us. We have to dust ourselves off for next week."