Football
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Rafa Benitez frustrated as Newcastle lose again

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez was left to reflect on a "really disappointing" performance as his side crashed to a second consecutive defeat to start life in the Championship.

Huddersfield served up an early-season shock as substitute Jack Payne struck a late winner in front of a sell-out St James' Park crowd that had arrived for the Magpies' season opener full of expectation following a summer of spending.

What they witnessed was instead a fully committed display from the visitors, who had seen Nahki Wells' opener cancelled out by Newcastle's £10 million summer signing Dwight Gayle.

"We weren't expecting this kind of performance, we knew Huddersfield would be difficult to break down but we didn't play at the level we wanted to," Benitez said.

"We improved a lot in the second half but it's really disappointing."

Newcastle lost their opener at Fulham 1-0 and now face Reading on Wednesday before a trip to high-flying Bristol City next weekend.

"I've seen the team doing well in training but we have to show the same things in the match, the quality, the personality and the character," Benitez added.

"We've not seen that today. We made too many mistakes and we need to show that character and quality to improve things.

"The players on the pitch they were trying, they are good players.

"The players can do much better but we didn't play at the level we were expecting. The only positive today was the fans, they were behind the fans."

Huddersfield boss David Wagner hailed the tremendous togetherness in his squad after they saw off the promotion favourites to move level with Bristol City at the top of the fledgling table.

Wagner, backed by more than 3,000 travelling fans, said: "My first feeling is that I am proud for my players. It was an outstanding performance, in terms of togetherness. We were brave and we stuck to our match plan which was a lot different to what we played before.

"We scored with a transition twice and everyone helped each other. In the first half it was very good. In the second half, if we want to win against Newcastle away -- like all teams here -- then you need a bit of luck and we had that in the second half. It was a great moment for my players to celebrate with the away fans.

"The supporters will be a big help for us if we want to take a step forward as a team and club, they showed that. They have to help us and we have to deliver also. At the moment there is a great togetherness within the squad and it was great for me to see them celebrate with the supporters.

"All 24 teams can challenge in this division. We don't have any reason to dream. We have every reason to work and this is what we do.

"I was never a dreamer and I was always a worker which is why I am here at this club, this is a working club. We start again tomorrow."

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