Anthony Gordon has expressed his frustrations at Newcastle’s Tyne-Wear derby defeat, suggesting Sunderland are “not a very good team” in comparison to the Magpies.
Eddie Howe’s men suffered a 2-1 loss to their arch-rivals at St James’ Park on Sunday, marking a second defeat to Sunderland this season.
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The home defeat followed Newcastle’s Champions League exit after a 7-2 loss to Barcelona last Wednesday.
Gordon had initially put the hosts ahead after a Sunderland error, but Chemsdine Talbi levelled after the break before Brian Brobbey secured a 90th-minute winner, completing a derby double.
A visibly frustrated Gordon told Newcastle’s club media his side’s performance was “not good enough really” and offered “no excuses.”
Brian Brobbey scored Sunderland’s winner (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
He highlighted a recurring issue: “We were good for 45 minutes, which has been the case too often this season – we actually knew going into the game and had been trying to work on it. Not good enough to start the second half and they were the better team second half.”
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Asked if a home loss was more painful, Gordon responded: “Probably worse because the other one’s away. Both just as bad, but to be honest the way we lost the game, we went ahead 1-0, the way we were playing, I thought they were really poor and then we let them into the game and basically gave them the win.”
He continued to express his disbelief: “The frustrating thing is, in my opinion, they’re not a very good team compared to us. We shouldn’t lose to them.
“Away is obviously more difficult because they have the fans, the atmosphere and a bit more pressure, but at home we should not lose that game. Not with the first half that we had, but again we haven’t been good enough starting second halves and it’s an ongoing problem.”
Newcastle boss Howe acknowledged mounting criticism after a challenging week that culminated with his side’s 13th Premier League defeat of the season.
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Howe stated: “My first thought as the leader of everything is to front it up. Absorb it, act how I would normally act in all moments and I think that’s really important for me. I understand the criticism, expect it and have got no issue with it.”
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer weighed in on the defeat, describing it as “worrying” for Howe’s squad.
Eddie Howe admitted it was a difficult loss for his side (AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Shearer remarked: “Sunderland wanted it more than Newcastle in the second half and that is pretty damning, particularly after the way Newcastle played in the first game at the Stadium of Light.”
He added: “Eddie got it all wrong in that game. He couldn’t lift his players in the second half and that is really worrying and disappointing. Well done Sunderland, they were the better team, they deserved to win, as much as it hurts me to say that. Worrying for Newcastle and big questions will be asked.
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“It’s going to be a long two or three weeks for Newcastle now, the international break, because people will be hurt, people will be angry and there’ll be so much s*** thrown at Eddie and Newcastle now. He has to cope with that and understand that, as do the people that are running the club.”
Newcastle, now one point behind 12th-placed Sunderland, will reflect on their struggles during the international break, before returning to action on 12 April away to Crystal Palace.
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