Alious
Alan Shearer did not hold back as he delivered a scathing verdict on Newcastle United’s latest Tyne-Wear derby disappointment against Sunderland.
The Magpies suffered a painful 1–0 defeat at the Stadium of Light, with Nick Woltemade’s own goal proving decisive on a night full of noise, emotion and intensity. However, despite the fierce atmosphere, the contest was badly lacking in attacking quality—particularly from Eddie Howe’s side, who never truly threatened to get back into the game.
Newcastle’s display was flat, uninspired and worryingly toothless, prompting criticism from club legend Shearer almost immediately after full-time.
Shearer brands Newcastle display “awful”
Taking to social media shortly after the final whistle, Shearer summed up the performance in brutal fashion.
“Offered nothing up front at all. Awful. Miles off it for a derby game,” he wrote.
It was a harsh assessment, but one that accurately reflected what unfolded on Wearside. Although Newcastle dominated possession after falling behind, they lacked urgency, creativity and conviction in the final third.
Bruno Guimarães was the only player to register any meaningful threat, testing Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs twice from long range. Those efforts, however, were comfortably dealt with and proved to be Newcastle’s only shots on target across the entire 90 minutes.
### **Derby misery deepens for Newcastle**
While Newcastle did manage to overcome Sunderland in the FA Cup in 2024, their Premier League record in this rivalry has now taken another embarrassing turn.
Sunday’s defeat extended an alarming run, with the Magpies now winless in their last ten Premier League meetings with the Black Cats. It is a statistic that underlines the psychological grip Sunderland appear to hold in league encounters and one Eddie Howe will be under increasing pressure to rectify.
Attention will already be turning to the return fixture at St James’ Park, scheduled for 21 March 2026. That match will mark the first Tyne-Wear derby on Tyneside since March 2016, ensuring the occasion will carry enormous significance.
After this latest setback, Howe and his players have only intensified the spotlight on themselves. Expectations will be sky-high, and patience will be thin following a performance that many felt fell well short of what is required in one of English football’s fiercest rivalries.
In the end, Newcastle were left with little room for complaint—both the result and the criticism felt deserved after a derby display that lacked fight where it mattered most.
Alious
