Five things we learned as Newcastle were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland at St James' Park
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe(Image: Getty Images)
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Newcastle United's season plunged to new depths after they were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland at St James' Park.
For the second time this season, the Magpies were beaten by their fierce rivals in the Premier League and it has not only left their European ambitions in tatters but it has left Eddie Howe under serious pressure.
Just over a year since Newcastle's Carabao Cup success, losing twice to their nearly promoted rivals was a fresh low in a frustrating season which sees United in the bottom half of the Premier League table with just seven league games remaining.
Despite Anthony Gordon opening the scoring for United, goals from Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey ensured Sunderland left with three points.
Here are five things we learned from a damaging derby defeat for Newcastle.
Brutal Sunderland chant speaks volumes amid lap of dishonour
As Sunderland moved towards victory after Brobbey's late winner, the Black Cats fans were in celebratory mood up in the away end in level seven. And as the pressure visibly began to ramp up on Newcastle boss, Howe, they revelled in the situation by chanting: 'You're getting sacked in the morning'.
After the full-time whistle, there were jubilant scenes from Sunderland players in front of the Leazes End. At the Gallowgate End, boos were raining down on Howe and his players as they took in their customary lap of honour at the end of the game.
In truth, it was a lap of dishonour and the reaction spoke volumes. While social media heat has been high on Howe's position in recent weeks, he has always retained vocal trust in the stands.
The emotions of the occasion today were heightened but this was the first time the crowd audibly turned. Unless things seriously change between now and the end of the season, that pressure will only build.
Sunderland star's selfies rub salt into the wounds
Homegrown Sunderland talent Chris Rigg certainly enjoyed their win and re-emerged after full-time to take a selfie and celebrate in front of the Leazes stand with the away end.
The Black Cats teenager was said to be a boyhood Newcastle fan and one angry Magpies supporter was moved away after screaming 'turncoat' at the England youth international as he soaked up the applause from Sunderland's technical staff at the tunnel entrance.
No Tonali, big problem
Tonali arrived at St James' Park prior to kick-off but did so in casual gear, rather than his training kit, confirming that he had not recovered in time from an injury picked up in the defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday.
But despite Tonali's absence Joe Willock missed out on the starting XI as Howe persisted with his experiment of playing forward Nick Woltemade in midfield.
He was joined by Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey but the midfield battle was lost as Sunderland's trio of Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki dominated proceedings in the middle of the park, particularly in the second half.
Bruno Guimaraes' absence in midfield has been a big miss but that was compounded by Tonali missing out, too. Thankfully, they are back after the international break but it might be too little, too late for United this season.
Dismal derby record
Newcastle did not need reminding of their dismal derby record ahead of this game and Sunderland have now extended it.
Sunderland are now unbeaten in their last 11 league games against Newcastle, winning eight of the last nine. It's now the longest run either side have gone in the derby without a defeat in the Premier League.
Premier League picture
While all is not lost in the race for Europe, today's disappointment feels stark.
Newcastle are now 13th in the table, and while they are only four points adrift of eighth placed Everton, which should be enough to qualify for UEFA Conference League football, time is running out to reel that deficit back in.
The Magpies have some training time and three weeks to regroup before they are back in action against Crystal Palace. There has to be a reaction to save the season.