Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has told nufcTV that the Magpies were sloppy in their 2-1 victory over Cardiff City.
Rafael Benitez's side were 2-0 up at half time thanks to goals at the start and the end of the half from Christian Atsu and Yoan Gouffran. The second half was not as easy however, with Newcastle taking their foot off the gas and enduring a nervous final 13 minutes after Peter Whittingham pulled a goal back for Neil Warnock's team.
Newcastle managed to see out the victory though, and Hayden admitted they were not at their best in the second half.
"It was a good first half and obviously second half we knew they were going to come out fast," Hayden told nufcTV.
"Maybe a little bit sloppy on our part in the second half but we got the job done in the end."
The Championship leaders were nowhere near the standard they have set so far this season in the second half, almost inviting pressure on themselves.
Fortunately for Hayden and co, they managed to hold on for victory and retain their three point lead at the top of the division.
While Newcastle have not gone for the kill against a lot of teams this season, they have always looked in control of the situation, ensuring their opponents had no hope of getting back into it. Things were different against Cardiff, with complacency almost beginning to set in, and the scare will certainly be a wake up call for the Magpies.