Newcastle United: John Carver angry at Phil Neville's flip-flops jibe

Newcastle boss John Carver has criticised Match of the Day pundit Phil Neville for suggesting his players "had their flip-flops on" during last weekend's defeat at Everton.

The former Manchester United and Everton player made the comments after Newcastle lost 3-0 at Goodison Park.

"I was pretty angry when I heard it because he couldn't be any further from the truth," Carver said.

"I think it's insulting and it's wrong, especially from ex-players."

James McCarthy, Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley scored as Everton earned a first league win at home in three months.

Carver hopes the criticism that followed can inspire his players when Arsenal visit St James' Park on Saturday (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

"What I did do was to inform the players about what these people had been saying. I thought it was important that they knew," he said.

"Now it's down to ourselves to show those people out there that we've not got our flip-flops on."

Carver will have only 13 fit outfield players to choose from this weekend, including just one specialist central defender following skipper Fabricio Coloccini's unsuccessful appeal against his red card on Merseyside.