25 mins A strong run by Alfie Doughty down the Luton left ended with Kieran Trippier conceding a corner kick. Doughty took the corner and found Barkley, who was between Guimaraes and Lascelles. He headed it onwards for Andros Townsend to nod home from close range at the back post.

Some moments earlier, the goalscorer had tried his luck from distance but placed his shot on the roof of the away end, the ball rolling into a hole and out of sight amid ironic cheers. 0-1

Half time: Hatters 1 Magpies 0

Full time: Hatters 1 Magpies 0

Eddie Howe said:

"Very disappointed with the performance. First half especially. We knew this would be tough. We knew the whole day was going to be tough. We didn't handle the emotion.

"We have to be consistent with home and away form. There were moments today but not enough. We didn't compete well enough and we were reactive rather than proactive.

"We have an incredible group, but I was disappointed with the emotion and energy. The players felt that. We were well aware we were below our levels. Ultimately a mistake in the first half has cost us the match. The second half was much better but we could not force the goal we needed and that mistake has cost us the match.

"Luton played well. It was always going to be a difficult game for us, a tough place to come. We switched off from a corner and ultimately it cost us the game.

"No excuses from our side, just on the day we weren't where we needed to be to win the game.

"I think I've got to choose my words carefully. We have an incredible group and I was disappointed with the first half performance, I thought we needed more, we needed more emotion in our performance, more energy in our performance.

"I'm not going to say any more than that really but I think the players felt that as well. We were well aware we were below our levels but second half was a lot better and we couldn't force the goal we needed and the mistake in the first half has cost us the match."

On Jamaal Lascelles' injury: 

"I'm not sure. That will need to be assessed in the next few hours."

On replacing Lewis Miley during the first half:

"Controlling his minutes is something I have wanted to do anyway, so I did not look at it based on his performance. It was not based on his performance, I know it was based on a tactical decision.

"He should have no problems, he is so young. I am going to sit down and talk to him of course, it was not something I planned to do, it was something instinctive because we weren't good in the game and we needed to make a change. But there will be no problems with him, he will totally understand."

On Newcastle's away form this season: 

"Our away form hasn't been what we wanted it to be. All we can do is try to respond on the pitch and put it right Today's performance epitomised our away form because there were some really good bits but not enough. 

"We didn't compete well enough in the first-half, I thought we were off on our duels and we were reactive rather than proactive. And that cost us the match."

Rob Edwards:

"I'm an emotional wreck at the moment, really proud of everybody. 

"It's been a tough week for the football club, it's been the greatest challenge of my football career. No coaching badges prepare you for something like this. I've needed the support of everybody and the players have been incredible - to go and perform as they have, after last week, words fail me.

"We wanted to do it for Tom. It wasn't extra motivation, we just wanted to embody what he is about. He's brave, determined, a fighter, and I thought we showed all of those attributes today. It feels strange talking about a football match with everything that's gone on, but it's a huge win.

"We've had good performances and maybe that changed the narrative a bit. We know it's going to be a huge challenge but we're moving in the right way. I like the way we're shaping up at the moment. We were incredibly aggressive against a really good Newcastle team and we've got a good blueprint that we'll continue working hard on.

"To be honest I probably would have written us off as well, from outside, but I think there’s ways of doing that and I think some people were disrespectful with how they did it That angered me a little bit, but I don’t use that. I can’t affect what other people think or say or write. 

"Some people gave good rationale; smallest budget, promoted out the play-offs, first time in the Premier League. I get that. But some of the stuff that was written was crackers.

On Tom Lockyer - who suffered a cardiac arrest on the field last week against Bournemouth, but is now out of hospital after having a Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) device fitted: 

"He text me and said he could feel three points coming. He's already getting bored sat at home on the sofa. I just told him to chill out and enjoy everyone looking after him at the moment."