Alan Shearer has launched a stinging attack on Newcastle United’s players as he branded them 'lazy' and questioned their attitude. The Magpies suffered a fresh setback on Sunday afternoon when they slumped to a 3-1 defeat at struggling West Ham United.

Jacob Murphy put the visitors ahead, but the Hammers equalised through Lucas Paqueta’s strike from the edge of the penalty area before Sven Botman turned Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross into his own net to give the home side the lead at half-time.

Tomas Soucek wrapped up the win in stoppage time and after the game, Eddie Howe said his side were 'unrecognisable'. And Shearer has now gone one step further by strongly criticising Newcastle’s players in a furious tirade.

Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he said: “Seriously how bad were Newcastle? They were rotten. They were awful. It is as bad as I can remember under Eddie Howe for a long time.

“It was so bad. They were lazy. They were lethargic. They had no energy. Other than Murphy,...