Mauricio Pochettino was almost at a loss for words to describe events at Newcastle.
Our best-ever season in the Premier League ended in disappointment with a 5-1 defeat at St James’ Park.
It was only our third defeat on the road in the Premier League this season - an all-time club record in terms of away defeats in a league season - and the first time we’d conceded more than two goals in a Premier League match this term.
No wonder then Mauricio was in somewhat of a state of shock after the final whistle.
“First of all I apologise to our fans and our families,” he said. “The level we (normally) compete and the way we competed today…it was a shame.
“We cannot explain what happened on the pitch. The feeling is bad, very bad.”
Trailing 2-0 at half-time, we looked right back in the game when Erik Lamela made it 2-1 on 61 minutes and Aleksander Mitrovic was sent off soon after.
But the 10 men were galvanised, Georginio Wijnaldum restored the two-goal advantage from the penalty spot on 73 minutes and as we pushed forward in search of two goals, we were picked off on the break.
“In the first 45 minutes we were very bad in the way we played, without intensity, it was like we were on holiday and this is the result,” added Mauricio.
“It's a shame because we cannot finish in the way we finished.
“We cannot arrive in the last few games of the season and be the opposite of everything we have shown all season.
“A lot of good things have happened in this season but for now, you take away that good feeling. It's very difficult but we need to look forward, to fight, to be positive and to be strong.”