Matthias Jaissle apologised to Newcastle United's fans after his team suffered a second straight 4-1 away defeat, though he insists they did not play "the worst game" against Coventry City on Monday.

Having been routed by Leeds United on their previous road trip before the international break, Newcastle again had four goals put past them by Frank Lampard's men.

It is the first time they have conceded four or more goals in back-to-back Premier League away games since December 2012, when they lost 4-3 at Manchester United and 7-3 at Arsenal.

Jack Rudoni's penalty and Sidiki Cherif's lovely finish on the turn gave Newcastle a mountain to climb, and though Sven Botman's 70th-minute stunner inspired some hope, Coventry substitutes Ellis Simms and Stephen Mfuni struck to put the game to bed.

Newcastle's defensive record is now the joint-worst in the Premier League this season, with Chelsea and Bournemouth the only other teams to match their 13 goals conceded.

The Magpies have also given up the joint-third worst expected goals against (xGA) tally, at 10.48, while only Crystal Palace (108) have faced more shots on target than them (106). 

And despite his team controlling 66.7% of the possession and having 19 shots to Coventry's nine, Jaissle acknowledges that will count for nothing if they do not improve in both boxes.

"It's hard. That's the punishment in this league," Jaissle told BBC Sport.

"We controlled many phases but it's not enough. The games are decided in the boxes – and we were not clean in both boxes.

"It's something we need to learn fast. The momentum was there. We have a young squad but that shouldn't be an excuse. It was a tough game in general.

"The injured players are hopefully getting more gametime, more minutes.

"Today, if you see the whole picture, it was not the worst game. But I apologise to the fans because they deserved a different result."

Newcastle host Aston Villa in their next Premier League game on Saturday, having taken eight points from six matches so far this campaign, before visiting Crystal Palace and facing Everton twice in five days – once in the league and once in the EFL Cup.