John Carver, Newcastle United's head coach, refused to use a supporters' boycott as an excuse for the 3-1 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur which increased his worries about relegation.
Several thousand fans did stay away from the game in response to a campaign against the way millionaire Mike Ashley is running the club, although the official attendance of 47,427 was the highest in the Premier League at the weekend.
Those who did turn up failed to provide the noisy support that used to be such a feature of this ground, watching unhappily as goals from Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane eased Tottenham to a victory that moved them above Southampton and into sixth place.
Carver, who saw Jack Colback score Newcastle’s goal, was aware of the subdued atmosphere, but insisted it was not a factor in their sixth successive defeat.
He said: “It was possibly not helpful, but they are entitled to do what they want.
“I don’t think that has affected what has gone on on the pitch. The players are all professional and once they cross the white line it shouldn’t affect them.
“There are no excuses. We lost because we weren’t good enough.
“It’s not getting any easier, but this job is never easy. I’m disappointed and angry and have lots of different emotions going through my head. The bottom line is it’s another defeat and not good enough.”
Another win should be sufficient to make Newcastle safe, but Carver knows they are in trouble.
“We are in amongst it,” he said. “We have sides like Leicester who are winning games and we aren’t winning. We have to find a way to find some points.
“This is the most difficult situation I’ve ever been in, but I’m a fighter and I’m not going to shirk anything.
“We will take the stick and the responsibility because that’s the type of person I am. I’m not going to give up on it and I have enough experience to deal with the situation.”
Tottenham’s mood at the final whistle was in total contrast to the gloom enveloping St James’ Park and nobody was more satisfied that Kane, who has now scored 30 goals this season.
It is more than Jurgen Klinsmann ever scored for the club and puts him in sight of the 35 that Gary Lineker claimed 23 years ago.
Kane said: “I’m very proud to reach 30, but there are five games left and, hopefully, I’ll get a few more goals. I had a couple of chances and the keeper made some good saves but I’m delighted to get back on the scoresheet.”
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MATCH INFO
Day 1 at Mount Maunganui
England 241-4
Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28
New Zealand
Yet to bat
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
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THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
The results of the first round are as follows:
Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent
Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent
Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent
Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent
Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent
