Newcastle United lost 2-0 at Fulham as Sunderland qualified for the Europa League with a 2-1 win over Chelsea.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has credited Sunderland for achieving Europa League qualification.
A final-day victory over Chelsea propelled the Black Cats to seventh in the Premier League. This is the highest a newly promoted club has finished since Wolverhampton Wanderers (also seventh) in 2018-19.
Sunderland’s heroics compounded Newcastle’s misery as Eddie Howe’s men lost 2-0 at Fulham. A disastrous campaign has resulted in the Magpies - who fell to 12th - losing both Tyne-Wear derbies.
With no European football to boast, Newcastle must now watch Sunderland take to the continent for the first time in 53 years. The reality should sting for Toon players after what has been an underwhelming campaign all around.
Alan Shearer reacts to Sunderland getting Europe
Shearer could not avoid the inevitable Sunderland question when working on Match of the Day. When asked how delighted Regis Le Bris’ side will be, he responded: “Yeah, absolutely. 53 years, first time in Europe. They deserve it. They've had a brilliant season. I mean, they signed 14 players last summer, around £160million. And their home form has played a huge part in that, as we thought it would do.
“And yes, they beat Newcastle home and away. They're in the Europa League, and they've had a fantastic season. I mean, it's incredible for a promoted side to finish in the Europa League.”
Alan Shearer responds… again!
The Toon icon was also grilled about Sunderland’s achievement on The Rest Is Football podcast. Shearer said: “I was waiting for that. I mean, Europa League for Sunderland. What a job he's done, the manager. Unbelievable.
“We know how difficult it is for teams coming up, but to recruit that many players and get them into the system and do as well as they did, as much as it hurts me… they turned Newcastle over twice, home and away. So respect where it's deserved.
“They've done really well. They've had a great season, and to get into a Europa spot is some achievement for Sunderland, it really is.”
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