Alan Pardew could off no excuses as his Newcastle United side were beaten 4-0 by Manchester City to wrap up the Premier League's opening weekend on Monday night.
The Magpies conceded twice before half-time prior to Steven Taylor being sent off for swinging an arm at Sergio Aguero just before the break.
The reduction to ten men really hurt Newcastle but Pardew felt they did what they could whilst suggesting Taylor's reaction was slightly out of character.
"I have to say I thought we gave a good account of ourselves up until the sending off," Pardew told Sky Sports.
"We'd threatened their goal, but the sending off made it a really difficult night for us and you don't want that on the first day.
"It was a silly challenge from Tayls, it was out of character for him, and then we had to work and grind in the second half, which we did.
"I just thought it was a silly action, and I can't really defend him on it, if I'm honest. I know he's a proper fella and he wouldn't mean to be malicious to the guy."
