The derby day defeat to Sunderland was bad enough but Newcastle United fans have had to endure some pretty brutal digs after the game.
Newcastle United had hoped to put Sunderland back in their place after a season that has so far seen the Black Cats sitting above the Magpies in the table.
However, those temporary bragging rights have now become far more long-lasting after Sunderland bagged all three points with a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.
Finish this sentence, the worst thing about Newcastle United’s defeat to Sunderland was _
Having to hear about it until at least March, would be my answer!
The Newcastle players were poor and Eddie Howe’s tactics were all wrong. It leaves Newcastle now four points behind their bitter rivals and spoils the four-game unbeaten run they had going in the league.
Obviously, a derby day defeat will sting. But, for Newcastle fans, the little things Sunderland have done around the game will hurt just that little bit more.
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Sunderland’s team photo was a stinging shot at Newcastle
One of the main pressure points after the game will no doubt be the fact that Sunderland’s squad gathered on the pitch at full-time and posed for a celebratory photo in front of the Stadium of Light crowd.
That might seem like a normal, rather innocuous thing to do. Those players have just won the biggest game of the season and they’ve every right to be happy.
However, this is not just a case of capturing a moment of elation. In fact, it’s a callback to something Newcastle United’s players did back in January 2024 when they beat Sunderland in the FA Cup.
That 3-0 win on Wearside was a real signal that Newcastle were the top dogs in the North East. After the game, the players huddled together on the Stadium of Light turf and took a photo in front of the Sunderland fans.
Now, the Mackems have well and truly got their revenge, and they have the photographic evidence to prove it.
Shearer’s derby verdict is in! Too harsh or not harsh enough?
I think he's spot on 😠
Sunderland won the Tyne-Wear derby in more ways than one
Sunderland still have a long way to go before they can claim to be the best club in the North East, but yesterday’s win certainly throws the power dynamic into question.
The Black Cats are now up to seventh in the Premier League table and remain in the conversation for qualifying for Europe. Newcastle, however, are down in 12th place and are closer to the bottom three than they are the top four.
In terms of the bigger picture, that’s now ten league games unbeaten for Sunderland against Newcastle. That is simply unacceptable and has to be put right when the two teams meet again next year.
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