article_snippet.sent: Newcastle rallied before the break and had a strong penalty appeal turned down
article_snippet.sent: The defeat was Newcastle's fifth in succession and left them with work still to do to ensure them do not get pulled into the relegation battle.
article_snippet.sent: Manager John Carver did see reason for some optimism, feeling that Manager John Carver side's performance was much improved from their derby loss to Sunderland last time out.
article_snippet.sent: Manager John Carver said: 'I thought the first nine minutes we were very tentative, nervous after we performance against Sunderland.