Former Newcastle defender on the moments which left Norwich with a 'mountain to climb'

Grant Hanley believes Norwich City were made to pay for wasted chances and sloppy defensive errors in their heavy home defeat to Newcastle United. The Magpies recorded a fourth straight league win on Saturday with a 3-0 triumph at Carrow Road.

Eddie Howe made four changes to the visitors' starting eleven, and a brace from Joelinton on his 100th top-flight appearances eased United into a two-goal lead at the break. Bruno Guimaraes continued his fine recent form in front of goal shortly after the restart, pouncing on a poor Tim Krul pass.

The results leaves Norwich eight points adrift of safety with just five matches remaining, with Dean Smith's side facing up to an immediate return to the Championship. Hanley believes the hosts made a positive start to the contest, but left themselves with a 'mountain to climb' after conceding twice in quick succession.

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The former Newcastle defender told the club's website: “I think first half there was not an awful lot in the game. 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