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Newcastle United pair Nick Woltemade and Anthony Gordon were brought off at half-time against West Ham.
Jacob Murphy gave the Magpies the lead in the fourth minute but Lucas Paqueta’s strike and an own goal from Sven Botman put the Hammers 2-1 up at half-time.
Furious with what he witnessed in the first half, Howe made a triple change, with Woltemade, Gordon and Emil Krafth replaced by Will Osula, Jacob Ramsey and Fabian Schar.
But the substitutions did not have the desired effect, with United unable to threaten the Hammers before Tomas Soucek added a third in stoppage time.
Eddie Howe on hooking Nick Woltemade and Anthony Gordon v West Ham United
Howe admitted part of his decision to withdraw Woltemade was due to the number of games he has played recently. In the absence £55million summer signing Yoane Wissa and Will Osula managing an ankle problem, the German has started the last eight matches.
Gordon too was feeling his hip against West Ham but Howe made the point of referring to the England international’s struggles in the Premier League this campaign.
Speaking ahead of the Athletic Bilbao game in the Champions League, Howe said: “I think that with Nick, we're well aware that we've thrust him into every single game near enough.
“I thought he looked a little bit fatigued and it was a case of making a decision that I felt tried to benefit the team and Nick going forward because he's carrying a lot of load on his shoulders, which I think if at any stage I feel he is fatigued, then I need to act and help him. So that was the thinking behind that one.
“With Anthony, he's played very well in the Champions League, he hasn't quite hit that form in the Premier League and I think that's his challenge.”
Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon’s Premier League form
Gordon is Newcastle’s top scorer in the Champions League with four goals in three games, but has gone a total of 19 Premier League matches without registering a goal or assist.
Asked about Gordon’s dry spell, Howe said: “Yeah, I've had many discussions with Anthony and we'll continue to. He's a very honest player, there's no lack of effort or commitment or desire to do well. I think he's very, very driven to succeed. I've said that's one of his biggest qualities. Sometimes things fall that way.
“A game of football is a game of football regardless of the competition. He's an outstanding player, but, of course, we need more from everybody in the Premier League. It's not just Anthony, it's everyone connected with all the styles of our play, whether it's attacking, defending.
“But the league is of such a high level regardless of who you play and of course there's added challenges for us mentally when we're returning from European games or Cup games back to the Premier League and we need to make that transition better.”
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