Graeme Souness has bemoaned the "absolute disaster" of Michael Owen's foot injury. United were outclassed, out-thought and out-fought, and injuries to to Owen and Shay Given just about capped off a poor day.
Souness: "They were both poor goals to concede. Mido didn't mean to shoot in that manner, but we had opportunities to clear the ball.
"We conceded two goals due to individuals not doing their jobs properly. It's something we can talk about and work on, but you've got to be confident out there to take the responsibility when it comes your way. We didn't deal with that very well.
"It doesn't take its toll on me. I've been in the game a long time. There's a lot worse things that happen out there off the pitch. But obviously it's a dark day for us though, given what's happened to Michael."
As if to add insult to injury, Shola Ameobi - one of the candidates to replace Owen up front - contrived to lift a shot over the crossbar from just eight yards out after Robinson could only parry Charles N'Zogbia's shot.
The Toon manager has moaned that the Christmas fixture list was a joke. But considering Spurs played two games in five days prior to this match, and Newcastle had a blank day on Wednesday, you have to ask why Spurs looked the more fresher team.
Forgetting THAT goalscoring record for the moment, in the days of Jackie Milburn, it was traditional to play three games in four days over the festive period - Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the 28th.
Now that WOULD give Souness something to moan about.