ALAN SHEARER SLAMS NEWCASTLE’S "LIMP" PERFORMANCE FOLLOWING 2-1 SUNDERLAND DEFEAT
Alan Shearer labels Newcastle "pathetic" as Brian Brobbey’s 90th-minute goal secures a 2-1 derby win for Sunderland.
Alan Shearer didn’t hold back when assessing Newcastle’s second-half performance against Sunderland, calling it “pathetic” and "weak". Newcastle went into the break leading 1-0 thanks to Anthony Gordon's goal in the 10th minute, and they looked the better side early on, with Sunderland offering little going forward.
But after the break, Sunderland came out like a different team, immediately taking control and pinning Newcastle back in their half. They earned a deserved equaliser in the 57th minute when Chemsdine Talbi converted from close range after Brian Brobbey’s initial shot was blocked. Sunderland kept the pressure up, and though Newcastle thought they’d taken the lead again when Malick Thiaw headed the ball past goalkeeper Melker Ellborg, the goal was ruled out by referee Anthony Taylor due to an offside by Jacob Murphy that interfered with the keeper.
In the end, Sunderland sealed a 2-1 win thanks to Brobbey’s goal in the 90th minute. His second shot after an initial save found the net, delivering the decisive blow.
Statistically, Sunderland’s win made sense; they racked up 2.45 expected goals (xG), compared to Newcastle’s 1.45, and had more shots, shots on target, and clear chances throughout the match.
From Newcastle’s perspective, the contrast between their first and second halves was glaring, and Shearer expressed his frustration plainly on social media. He described their second-half effort as lazy and limp, leaving little room for debate.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher highlighted Sunderland’s resilience after the break, reminding viewers that the last time Sunderland played at St James’ Park in the Premier League was a decade ago, and Newcastle has struggled against them. Carragher saw this as a huge moment for Sunderland’s young fans, especially considering their recent playoff rise and now their ability to claim a double victory over a major rival.
This win lifts Sunderland above Newcastle in the league table, moving them up to 11th and bringing them within three points of seventh-place Brentford, who hold a spot that could lead to European competition.
Looking ahead, Sunderland will face Tottenham on April 12, while Newcastle travels to Crystal Palace on the same day. Both teams have plenty to play for as the season progresses.
EDDIE HOWE CONFIRMS NEWCASTLE LINEUP SHIFTS ARE PART OF A MAJOR FUTURE STRATEGY
Eddie Howe confirms he is picking Newcastle lineups with next season in mind, trialling players like Ramsey and Woltemade early.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe isn’t pretending he’s already thinking about next season. People have been saying Kieran Trippier is close to triggering a payment if he plays more games, so that might influence whether he features again before the season ends. But Howe brushed that off and said he’s making his decisions purely for football reasons.
Talking to reporters at the City Ground about why Anthony Gordon was missing, Howe admitted he’s picking his lineup with the future in mind. Later, in his press conference, he went into more detail about focusing on what comes next at St James’ Park.
"We’re definitely looking ahead," Howe said. "You can see it in some of the choices I’m making with the team. I want to get a look at some players and see how they might grow into the squad."
One of those players is Jacob Ramsey, who came off the bench, set up Harvey Barnes with a great pass, and really changed the game. "I thought Jacob Ramsey was brilliant when he came on against Forest. He really made a difference, and so did Harvey. It’s good to see players taking their chances," Howe said.
He added, "We have to be thinking about the future now and what the team’s going to look like next year. That’s our responsibility at this point."
Before the match, Howe surprised a lot of fans by starting Lewis Hall at right-back, Nick Woltemade in midfield, and pushing Joelinton further forward than usual. Again, Howe explained he wants to see what players can do in different positions.
"It wasn’t some huge change from Brighton; we kept the same shape," Howe said. "But for Nick, this was only one of a few times he’s started in that role for us. He played alongside Will, and they haven’t had much time together either.
"There were positives for Nick, but he wasn’t involved as much as we wanted in the first half. We still need to see his best on the ball. In the second half, though, I thought we got better as a team. We attacked more and looked like a real threat as the match wore on."
MAGPIES EYE £1M BARGAIN TIAGO GABRIEL TO SOLVE GROWING DEFENSIVE INJURY CRISIS
Newcastle are leading the race against Juventus for Tiago Gabriel, the 21-year-old Serie A defensive sensation.
Newcastle United appear to be keeping an eye on Lecce’s young defender Tiago Gabriel as they consider potential options for the summer transfer window.
With Fabian Schar’s contract due to expire at the end of June, the Magpies are preparing for the possibility of his departure. Although an extension is still on the table, Schar has been sidelined since early January because of an ankle injury and doesn't seem close to making a comeback.
At 21, Gabriel has featured 36 times across all competitions this season for Lecce, who are currently four points clear of the Serie A relegation zone. Newcastle’s recruitment team is among those following his development, seemingly interested in exploring a move once the transfer window opens.
Back in December, reports surfaced that both West Ham and Juventus were also tracking Gabriel’s progress. The young defender, who came through Sporting CP’s academy, has had a strong season and will enter the final year of his contract this summer.
Gabriel transferred to Lecce last January for slightly over £1 million, moving from Portuguese club Estrela Amadora. Should he leave this summer, a significantly higher fee might be expected, reflecting his rise in form.
Before joining Estrela Amadora, Gabriel had been part of Setúbal's academy after leaving Sporting in 2020. His performances have earned him regular appearances for Portugal’s Under-21 side, and senior international opportunities may not be far off.
A switch to the Premier League could potentially boost his profile substantially, but he will likely weigh his options with some care.
According to O Jogo, Newcastle continue to monitor his situation keenly as interest around the defender grows.
Regarding Fabian Schar’s future, things remain uncertain even with just weeks left on his current deal. While Kieran Trippier has been publicly confirmed to be leaving upon contract expiration, no similar announcement has come for Schar.
Last week, Howe commented on the defender’s status, noting that no definitive decision has been made yet. He emphasised Schar’s value to the team, pointing out his unique role as a ball-playing defender and his versatility in various defensive setups.
Schar’s influence on the pitch and experience are clearly appreciated, and the club hopes he can regain full fitness before the season concludes. As for any new contract talks, Howe suggested it’s a matter of waiting to see how things unfold.
