To think Newcastle kept five clean sheets in their opening seven league fixtures.

In fact, it was at the other end of the pitch where Newcastle had issues at the start of the campaign as they began life without Alexander Isak, who went on strike in an effort to force through a £125m move to Liverpool.

By contrast, Newcastle are now carrying a threat - Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had to make a superb save to keep out Sandro Tonali's volley late on - but they look capable of "self-imploding", as Howe recognised.

Newcastle have let in a whopping 23 goals since they kept their most recent clean sheet in a 3-0 win against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last month.

Newcastle will certainly have to tighten up, given the calibre of opposition they are due to face in the coming weeks.

"There's always a time and place for stern words and now we take a breather," Murphy said. "Let's all reflect, look back.

"First and foremost, we know where mistakes happened and we've got to go forward and try and iron them out.

"We can't get hyper-emotional every time...