RAFAEL BENITEZ has urged his Newcastle United players to stay focused after a sixth defeat from seven winless games leaves them within two points of the Premier League’s relegation zone.

The Magpies slipped to a 3-2 loss to Leicester City at St James’ Park this evening when an Ayoze Perez own goal with four minutes remaining proved costly.

Leicester had taken the lead before that when Riyad Mahrez and Demarai Gray’s goals in the 20th and 60th minutes had overturned the fifth minute lead Joselu had given the hosts.

And when Dwight Gayle equalised with 17 minutes remaining it had looked like Newcastle would earn at least a point – only for Perez to find his own net as he attempted to prevent Shinji Okazaki from hitting the winner.

Newcastle are winless in seven matches ahead of Wednesday’s visit of Everton.

Benitez said: "I'm really disappointed because it's a game we started well with high tempo, intensity, scoring and on top of them.

"Then we conceded a goal and they were on top. In the second half, we were organised and compact, then a long ball and a second ball and we conceded.

"Then we got a goal, we were 'fine', but another mistake, another counter attack, and we didn't get a draw.

"We have to manage in a good way when we are doing well and stop making easy mistakes. I thought we were in control at 2-2 and I thought it could be easier to score for us than them, but then another mistake and a counter attack and we concede.”

There has been a lot of focus on the potential takeover of Newcastle, as talks with Amanda Staveley and Mike Ashley continue.

But Benitez said: "I have to concentrate on the next game [and not the takeover], I have to work to improve the team and to focus on the next game.

"We have to understand that the only way it to keep working harder and don't make these mistakes. The players put an effort in on the pitch, but still we need to improve if we want to get three points out of games.

"I told the players the way they started the game and the reaction was a positive thing, but still we need to learn and improve. It is a long season and we have to carry on. These players are young, they work very hard and we have to make sure they keep getting better.”