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Newcastle United fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Tyne-Wear derby rivals Sunderland on Sunday lunchtime.
Newcastle United have been accused of being unable to match Sunderland during the second half of Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby defeat at St James Park.
The Magpies went into the game looking to claim their first home win against the Black Cats since a Kevin Nolan hat-trick inspired Chris Hughton’s United to a memorable 5-1 victory in October 2010. Things appeared to be heading in the right direction for Eddie Howe’s men when Anthony Gordon punished a Luke O’Nien error to fire his side in front with just ten minutes on the clock.
That narrow advantage remained in place until just before the hour-mark when Newcastle’s failure to deal with a set-piece allowed Chemsdine Talbi to get Sunderland back on level-terms as he fired home from close range. The Magpies looked to have retaken the lead when substitute Malick Thiaw beat Melker Ellberg with a header - but the celebrations were cut short after Jacob Murphy was penalised for an infringement.
Sunderland took full advantage of that let-off in the closing stages as they punished a United side that had shown major signs of tiring throughout the second-half by grabbing a late goal that allowed them to complete a league double over Newcastle and stretch their unbeaten run in league derbies to an eleventh game. The decisive blow was struck by former Ajax forward Brian Brobbey as he beat Aaron Ramsdale at the second attempt after the Magpies keeper had blocked his initial effort from inside the six-yard box.
The defeat rounds off a difficult week for Howe and his players following their second half capitulation in a Champions League defeat against Barcelona on Wednesday - and former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher believes the Magpies were unable to cope with Sunderland’s physicality and looked ‘absolutely shattered’ during the second 45 minutes.
Moment
Jamie Carragher has named his Liverpool player of the season alreadyplaceholder image
Jamie Carragher has named his Liverpool player of the season already | Getty Images
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of the game, Carragher said: “It’s ten years since they played at St James Park in the Premier League and Newcastle United just can not beat Sunderland. They can’t and what a moment for them. They probably never dreamed over these last four or five years, ten years, that they could go up against Newcastle. They got up surprisingly through the play-offs last season, and to do the double over their biggest rivals, one of the best moments those fans will remember for a very long time.
“It was coming in the second-half, Newcastle looked absolutely shattered. We mentioned they were the first team in the big five Euro leagues to play 50 games, and for Sunderland, they deserved this in the second half. They couldn’t match them physically in the second half and it’s only right that this guy got the winning goal, Brian Brobbey. He was a thorn in the side of Newcastle defenders all afternoon. What a moment.”
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