Eddie Howe felt that fatigue was a factor in Newcastle United's 4-1 defeat at home to AFC Bournemouth - but the head coach did not want to "make excuses" after the humbling loss.

Howe's team were within touching distance of a club record of 10 wins in a row but they never looked capable of netting it after going behind early in the game. Instead, Howe was left costing the cost of not changing his team and refreshing his starting XI - insisting that he would have found it hard to make change after such a sparkling run of form.

Howe, speaking in his post-game Press conference, said: "Firstly, I have to congratulate our opponent. I thought Bournemouth were better than us today.

READ MORE: Ruthless Jacob Murphy hooking explained as Newcastle United star makes brutal demand

READ MORE: Kieran Trippier rages at referee as Newcastle United hear brutal Bournemouth taunts - 5 things

"I thought they played very well and never allowed us to find our rhythm in the game. I am disappointed with our performance, that is not the level that we played at in the last group of games.

"I thought we were devoid of energy today. We had a real problem athletically. We seemed fatigued and we never really recovered from a poor start to the game and ultimately have a let to reflect on."

Howe said he would try not to beat himself up about failing to make changes to the side that has steamrollered Wolves in midweek. The former Bournemouth boss attempted to get through a tough week of three matches and asked Sven Botman to play two games in four days but it did not pay off.

Botman was replaced at half-time by Fabian Schar, and Newcastle rang further changes in the second period as Kieran Trippier, Joe Willock and Will Osula all entered the fray. However, none of them were able to make a positive impact.

Howe added: "My initial assessment is fatigue. That is not making excuses. Bournemouth were better than us, but from our point of view, the three games in six days meant we were lacking in that sharpness and sprinting that they had. I may feel differently when I watch the game back. But that's how I feel now.

"It was difficult to change the team after winning nine in a row. I don't want to beat myself up about that it is a difficult one. It was difficult for me personally to think about rotating the team in this moment. But even then with our substitutions they did not make an impact either."

Howe was left to pick up the pieces and felt that none of the "qualities" shown on Newcastle's golden run over the last nine matches was on display. He said: "Yes we lost three points but maybe it is an important marker for us to know that if you drop you level against anybody at this level you will get punished. That is the first time we have done that for a long time home or away.

"Our qualities have been on show (lately) but I don't think any of our game survived - we were off in every department. When you perform like that you aren't going to get anything from the game."