Hayden frustrated by 'sloppy' late winner

United were the more enterprising side in the first half, but the Cherries – just a place off the bottom ahead of the clash – improved as time wore on, and snatched a late, late winner through defender Steve Cook.

It came from an Andrew Surman corner from the right, and less than five minutes after Marc Pugh’s close-range strike had deflected off the base of the post.

Hayden felt that the Magpies could already have been home and hosed by that point, though, and acknowledged that much could have been done differently in the run-up to the visitors’ winner.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose the game today. We had quite a few chances, but when you don’t take your chances in football you’re always susceptible to lose the game late on, and that’s what we did,” he told nufc.co.uk. “It was sloppy, really. We should have closed the throw-in down a little bit more – the throw-in shouldn’t even have happened. (Jermain) Defoe has the shot – we could have closed that down a bit better, and obviously the marking for the corner could have been better, as well. There are a lot of mistakes, and for those we have to take full responsibility as a team.

“It’s disappointing not to get three points, or at least a point, before the international break, but we can’t dwell on it too much. To lose the game on a simple set-piece and a simple header is frustrating, but there are still a lot of games to play and we’re still in a good position, so – those who are here – we have to work hard over the international break and crack on afterwards.”

With Dwight Gayle and Joselu partnered together up front, boss Rafa Benítez fielded a 4-4-2 formation for the first time this season.

It was a system which Hayden felt worked for the most part, and the midfielder spoke of the need for a “collective responsibility” after the Magpies drew a blank in front of goal for the second time in a week.

“I thought we dealt with (the formation) quite nicely. It can be more difficult when you play two up front because it leaves the midfield a little bit more exposed – especially on the counter attack – but saying that, I thought we did it quite well,” he said. “Dwighty and Joselu worked really hard and, as I’ve said, we did create a fair few opportunities.

“We didn’t take those opportunities, and the whole team – not just the strikers – have to take responsibility. A defender might have the final ball, a midfielder might have the shot or the final ball, so everyone has to take responsibility for not scoring goals or creating chances.”