“We Are Superior” – Newcastle Expresses Regret Over Derby Loss

The Pain of Defeat

Bruno Guimaraes, the captain of Newcastle United, has experienced his share of defeats. He was notably emotional during the loss in the 2023 Carabao Cup final against Manchester United. However, this past derby defeat to Sunderland has left him feeling even more disheartened, labeling it the most painful in his four years with the club.

“The whole message in the dressing room today was ‘we must play for the fans,’ which we failed to do,” Guimaraes stated. “It’s frustrating and embarrassing because I believe we have a stronger team. It’s evident to me, but we didn’t play like one today, which makes me feel angry.”

This 1-0 defeat cut deeper than earlier losses to teams like Marseille, Brentford, and West Ham.

Coach’s Response

Head coach Eddie Howe offered multiple apologies after the match during his press conference. Losing to a fierce rival is tough, but the manner of this defeat against a newly-promoted side was particularly disheartening for Howe.

“Criticism comes with each defeat, but this one will ring louder due to the significance of the match,” Howe noted. “We fully recognize that, and it’s why it stings so much. It’s disappointing for our fans, and I am truly sorry.”

A Changed Sunderland

It was clear that the Newcastle team felt the weight of their performance as they left the field. Earlier, as they arrived at the stadium, some players were cheerful even in the face of a hostile crowd.

Dan Burn, despite sustaining a rib injury, appeared to enjoy the atmosphere, while Guimaraes was seen listening to music, seemingly unfazed. Some players who had previously won at the Stadium of Light understood the game’s significance. However, Sunderland is a vastly different team now under manager Regis Le Bris.

Sunderland has gained points against several top-six teams this season.

“We are becoming more experienced, and our squad is enhancing,” Le Bris said post-match. “This is our first Premier League season, and we learn after tough encounters like those with Liverpool and Man City, so I’m not really surprised.”

The Match Moment

The match turned pivotal when Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade scored an unintentional own goal just after half-time. Following this misstep, Newcastle struggled to regain their composure.

Despite having one more shot on target than Sunderland, the game lacked excitement and urgency from the visitors, who seemed to prioritize defensive solidity over aggression.

The closest Newcastle came to scoring was when Guimaraes fired a shot from distance, but it was comfortably saved.

Goal-Scoring Challenges

Newcastle faced challenges in front of the goal, but other players had previously stepped up to alleviate their attacking burden. Notably, Lewis Miley, Guimaraes, and Malick Thiaw had contributed early goals in recent matches.

However, this time at the Stadium of Light, no such fortune smiled upon the team. “We didn’t show up,” Guimaraes commented on Newcastle’s performance. “No attempts at goal, no crosses, no connections. We needed to be more assertive in demanding the ball.”

Learning from Defeats

Frustrations boiled over late in the game, with Joe Willock and Malick Thiaw both receiving yellow cards for late challenges. As the match continued deep into stoppage time, Newcastle players understood the inevitability of their defeat, making it a bruising afternoon.

This setback comes as Newcastle currently sits in 12th place and could impact their momentum in upcoming matches, including a crucial Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham.

“You never want a single match to define your season,” Howe stressed. “If anything, we need this game to be a catalyst for a positive turnaround, showing our true capabilities moving forward.”