JOHN CARVER thinks Newcastle United’s players proved that none of them are already thinking about the summer despite losing 2-1 to Arsenal at St James’ Park.

The Magpies fell two goals behind after a poor first half display in which Olivier Giroud made the most of the home side’s defensive shortcomings to score a double.

Giroud scored in the 24th and 28th minutes to give Arsenal, who are now just four points behind leaders Chelsea who do have two games in hand, a deserved two-goal half-time lead.

At that point Newcastle, who only had one fit centre-back in Mike Williamson, looked incapable of bouncing back and were booed off at the break by almost 50,000 Newcastle fans.

But Newcastle emerged for the second half in a completely different manner, causing all sorts of problems and it would have been no surprise had they gone on to earn a point after Moussa Sissoko’s 48th minute strike.

And Carver, aware of accusations from BBC pundit Phil Neville that his side were planning for their holidays after losing at Everton, thinks his players silenced a few critics.

“There certainly wasn't anyone on the beach with their flip-flops on, that's for sure,” said Carver. “After the comments last week, which were ridiculous, from ex-players - I'm surprised at that.

“Every single one of them, and I include the lads who came on the pitch as second-half substitutes, gave everything for this football club. It showed that they are not on their holidays yet.”

Neville, who actually Tweeted that Newcastle were “brilliant” in the second half against Arsenal, had to have been impressed by Newcastle’s showing after the break against the Gunners.

But the fact remains that Newcastle have won just one of their last seven matches, which has seen them drop seven points shy of the top ten. Crystal Palace’s win at Stoke City, meanwhile, has even seen Alan Pardew’s Eagles climb above them.

Carver said: “I've got to be honest and it is because of the situation we are in. Congratulations to Alan, but I am not worried about Crystal Palace.

“The only thing that's on my mind and the only thing I'm worried about is this football club and making sure everything I do is 100 per cent, everything the players do and give is 100 per cent, and that's all I can ask for.”