Eddie Howe is in contention for the Premier League's Manager of the Month award despite losing to Sunderland in brutal fashion.
Eddie Howe has surprisingly been nominated for the Premier League’s Manager of the Month award.
Newcastle United supporters are unlikely to be overjoyed by the news following Sunday’s defeat to Sunderland. To make matters worse, the Tyne-Wear derby humiliation came just days after Howe led the Magpies to a 7-2 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League.
The award only considers Premier League performances, with Newcastle defeating Manchester United and Chelsea ahead of the Black Cats clash. However, it will be the dismal showing at St James’ Park that will define March the most as Toon fans come to terms with another derby setback.
Regis Le Bris also received a nomination for guiding Sunderland to a Premier League double over their bitter rivals. Other candidates include Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), David Moyes (Everton) and Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton).
Eddie Howe takes responsibility
Howe refused to blame his players while taking full responsibility for the 2-1 surrender to Sunderland. He told reporters post-match: "(It feels) very painful. Most of all, painful for supporters. They're the ones I think about now.
"Once you haven't performed and you know the size of the game and you don't deliver, you expect to be criticised and you understand why. I understand the reaction at the end. We haven't done our jobs well enough today and we're desperately disappointed in ourselves.
"I'm fully committed to the job. I'm disappointed in my delivery today and my delivery in the last week. The Barcelona game was very tough, today was even tougher. As I said after the Brentford game, I absorb that blame myself.
"I don't look to deflect it anywhere and I certainly won't deflect it to my players. I protect my players until my last breath. That's how I look at it and it's going to be a tough, painful few days for me."
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