Newcastle United missed an opportunity to leapfrog rivals Sunderland with victory at the Stadium of Light and manager Eddie Howe was all apologies after a derby defeat
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe apologised not once but twice after his team lost the Wear-Tyne derby at Sunderland. The Magpies could have overtaken their rivals with a win at the Stadium of Light, but instead ended the week four points adrift.
An own goal from Nick Woltemade made the crucial difference, with the striker getting his angles wrong and heading into Aaron Ramsdale’s net. If that was a stroke of poor fortune, though, the visitors’ failure to seriously threaten an equaliser was – in Howe’s verdict – something to be more worried about.
“Criticism comes with every defeat. With this one, it will be louder and stronger just because of the game and the importance of the game,” Howe said in his post-match press conference. “We fully acknowledge that. That’s why it hurts so much.
“We are so disappointed for our supporters and sorry for the performance in the lack of goalmouth action and clinical attacking that we try to pride ourselves in during recent seasons. It was not there today. For that, we are sorry. Certainly, it was not a lack of effort from the lads.”
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While Howe was apologetic, opposite number Regis Le Bris was delighted. “Proud and happy. It was a derby and we were expected [to win] by our fans. This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible,” he told Sky Sports.
“During the first half tactically it was really good, just small details about the shape, then it was a question of being more clinical in the final third. We had good control and some times were more patient.
“It was a good level of maturity, so happy for the lads and it is good for our fans. It’s good for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game but we have to reset quickly as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week so let’s go again.”
It was Sunderland’s final game before six of their players head off for the Africa Cup of Nations. Habib Diarra was the last to be confirmed after being named in Senegal’s squad, with Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco), Reinildo (Mozambique), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku (both DR Congo) all departing.
It’s a different story for Newcastle, though. Yoane Wissa was left out of the Congolese squad, having only just returned from injury, meaning none of their players are due to head off to Morocco.
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