- Newcastle suffer 2-1 loss to Sunderland
- The Black Cats did the double over the Magpies
- Alan Shearer furious with second half performance
Alan Shearer gave a grim verdict on Newcastle United after a catastrophic second half that led to a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland. Loud boos rang out at St James’ Park at full-time after yet another capitulation, and the pressure is growing on Eddie Howe.
Newcastle took the lead through Anthony Gordon in the 10th minute to lift the mood. But a solid showing in the first half counted for nothing after another calamitous.
This was probably more embarrassing than the 7-2 defeat to Barcelona midweek. To lose to Sunderland was unthinkable but to do so on two occasions this season makes matters even worse.
Chemsdine Talbi pulled the visitors level in the 57th minute before Brian Brobbey scored a 90th-minute equaliser. The defending against Barca and the Black Cats has been woeful, and Shearer was left fuming.
The club’s iconic former striker didn’t mince his words when assessing the second half. He wrote on X:
“A pathetic, weak, lazy, limp second half from Newcastle again.”
Shearer’s comments echo the feeling among supporters who are watching the Tyneside giants suffer a fall from grace. The Carabao Cup win feels like a lifetime ago and the season is going from bad to worse.
The result leaves Howe’s men 12th in the Premier League table and Sunderland leapfrog them into 11th. Any hopes of European qualification are looking extremely doubtful and it’s raising huge question marks over the manager’s future.
Alan Smith Thinks Newcastle Were ‘Hungover’
The fixture list has been a gruelling one for Howe and his players, and they have struggled to handle it. An injury crisis has also been problematic, with Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes missing today’s derby.
Alan Smith said on commentary that Newcastle might have been feeling the effects of a midweek game. The former Arsenal striker said on Sky Sports:
“I wondered if there would be a sort of hangover for Newcastle after that Barcelona humiliation. I think, maybe physically, and physiologically, we have seen it. Eddie Howe after that game said he and the coaches had work to do to bring them back.”
Howe will be relieved to have the International break to allow himself, let alone his players, to rest and recharge for the remainder of a sorry season. Next up for the Magpies is a trip to Crystal Palace on April 12th.
