admin‘Awful’ – Alan Shearer says what every Newcastle United fan is thinking after Sunderland defeat
Newcastle United news: Eddie Howe and Alan Shearer react to Wear-Tyne derby defeat
Eddie Howe and Alan Shearer have both delivered blunt assessments following Newcastle United’s 1-0 loss to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Shearer was particularly scathing about his former club’s display, branding it “awful” after the Magpies were beaten in the first Wear-Tyne derby of the season. Sunderland claimed victory courtesy of a Nick Woltemade own goal, but the outcome felt inevitable long before that moment, with Newcastle producing a flat and lifeless first-half performance.
In the build-up, Howe had urged his players to focus on the football rather than the occasion, yet it was the hosts who fed off the raucous atmosphere, outworking and overpowering their rivals. It was another disappointing away showing, something Newcastle supporters have seen too often this season.
Shearer did not hold back in his verdict, posting on X: “Offered nothing up front at all. Awful. Miles off it for a derby game. #SUNNEW.”
The defeat leaves Newcastle 12th in the Premier League table, six points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, who they will face in their final league fixture before Christmas next weekend.
Eddie Howe’s reaction
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Howe admitted the loss was especially painful, describing it as a “horrible feeling.”
“It was not our best performance,” Howe said. “The effort was there, but the quality wasn’t. There were very few chances and the game was decided by a freak goal, and we couldn’t find the opening we needed.
“The goal came at a really bad time and was poor in its build-up. Nick didn’t mean it, but it ended up deciding the game. I thought we defended reasonably well overall.
“We lacked quality in both halves and were disappointed with our creativity. After the changes, there was more intensity and bravery on the ball, but we still didn’t create enough, and their goalkeeper wasn’t really tested.
“We know how much this fixture means. The focus was huge, we tried to deliver, and we didn’t manage it. We’re disappointed in ourselves because we feel we left something out there, and that’s a horrible feeling.”
Attention now quickly turns to cup action, with Newcastle having just over 72 hours to recover before hosting Fulham at St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup. The reigning holders, who have reached four consecutive quarter-finals, will be desperate to avoid an early exit in front of their home supporters on Wednesday night.
There are also injury concerns ahead of that clash, with Dan Burn facing a fitness battle after being forced off in the first half against Sunderland. The defender picked up a rib injury following a challenge from Nordi Mukiele.
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