Howe had long since seen enough by the time Botman turned Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross into his own net just before the interval.
The Newcastle head coach hauled off Emil Krafth, Nick Woltemade and Gordon at half-time, but he could have used all of his five permitted changes there and then.
“I almost could have taken anyone off,” he said. “That was a reflection of where we were in that moment in the game and it’s very rare for me to feel that way. I don’t think I have since I’ve been manager of Newcastle.
“I felt the team needed some shaking up at half-time. That’s why I did what I did.”
Yet it did not have the desired effect. Newcastle are now winless in their past eight away league games.
Newcastle have travelled to some testing grounds in that time, but Howe’s side have now failed to beat Aston Villa (twice), Brighton (twice), Bournemouth, Arsenal, Leeds United and West Ham.
For context, only Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Wolves have picked up fewer points than Newcastle (three) on the road this season.
No wonder Howe shared some “honest” words with his players after the game.
But the head coach was wary of overeacting, instead hoping this particular loss finally proves a turning point on the road.
A similar defeat in London certainly did nearly a year ago when Newcastle were thumped by Brentford.
It was a result which left Newcastle languishing in the lower half of the table, where they again find themselves now.
Newcastle went on to win seven games in a row in all competitions, including impressive away victories against Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United.
And they will certainly need to summon that spirit once more when they return to the Gtech Community Stadium next week.
“People say look in the mirror but we just go home and reflect,” goalscorer Murphy said on Sky Sports. “This is a moment where you really do need to stay calm.
“Let’s not be too reactive. We know we have to put things right.”