Rafa Benítez’s side trailed to Javier Hernández’s early strike but squandered a string of opportunities to equalise before the break, with the Hammers’ Mexican frontman duly adding another shortly after the hour mark.

That, Manquillo admitted, flattened the Magpies, with the game over as a contest long before Brazilian Felipe Anderson inflicted further damage with virtually the last kick of the game.

“We knew it was a very difficult game from the beginning. The team started playing well but they scored the first goal and then they were waiting at the back, sitting and going for the counter. They got some chances in that way and they scored the second and the third,” the Spaniard told nufc.co.uk. “The second goal was the key moment because we were pushing hard, attacking them and on top of them. But they scored the second goal and consequently the team went down a little bit.

“We had a lot of chances, and we know we have to score them. We didn’t, they did and that’s what cost us, but this is football and that’s the way it is. The first half was very balanced – it was a very open game and could have gone either way. The second half, we started well but after the second the team came down a little bit and we need to improve on these things.”

With regular left back Paul Dummett missing the Hammers’ visit with an ankle injury, Manquillo made just his third start of the season and his first at St. James’ Park.

The 24-year-old’s contentedness at being back in the side was marred by the result on the day, though, and he was quick to shift his focus to the Magpies’ midweek trip to Everton – where they will go looking for a first victory at Goodison Park since 2010.

“Obviously, every player is happy when they start but what matters is the team,” he said. “We need to keep our heads up, keep working hard and go for three points in the next game.

“We need to overcome this and start switching on to the next game. We need to prepare for it well and try to win it. Obviously, Everton are a very tough team. They have proved themselves in the last few years as a good team. We need to try and use our positives, and try to go for them.”