Norwich City defender Grant Hanley felt Newcastle's quality in attack was the difference on Saturday.

The Canaries started the match, at Carrow Road, brightly creating a couple of early chances but then conceded two poor goals, both scored by Joelinton, as the Magpies went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

The team aimed to regroup after the break but a poor pass out of defence allowed by Bruno Guimarães the chance to chip Tim Krul for an easy third goal.

“I think first half there was not an awful lot in the game," Hanley told the club's website. “We started quite brightly and had a couple of chances early doors and we didn't take them.

"I don't think either goalkeeper has had really much to do, apart from a couple of poor goals that we have conceded. That gave us a mountain to climb at half-time and the way we started the second half saw us concede another poor goal and, after that, we never really looked like getting back into the game.

“We had couple of opportunities that we never took and at this level, especially when you are down the wrong end of the table and your back are against the wall, chances come few and far between. So, you need to take them as often as you can and, unfortunately, we have not done that today and we have paid the price.

Christoph Zimmermann was given a rare start alongside Hanley in today's match. Speaking about his contribution, Grant added: “Christoph is a major part of the squad and he has probably not played as much as he would have liked to for one reason or another, but credit to him because he works harder than anyone I have ever seen to be honest with you. He does that every single day and he deserved his chance."

Asked where the defeat leaves Norwich's season, with five games to go, Grant said: “I think it will take a day or two to get over this one first and we will dust ourselves down and be prepared as we can for next week."