'A horrible feeling' – Newcastle boss Howe bemoans Tyne-Wear derby defeat

Eddie Howe rued a "horrible feeling" for Newcastle United, after a costly "freak goal" in their defeat by Sunderland.

The visitors were beaten 1-0 at the Stadium of Light, where Nick Woltemade's second-half own-goal settled the Premier League's first Tyne-Wear derby since March 2016.

Newcastle came into the game having collected 10 points from their last four league matches, and had the chance to leapfrog their local rivals in the table.

However, the Magpies were severely lacking a cutting edge, registering just two shots on target as their unbeaten league run against Sunderland stretched to 10 matches.

Indeed, the game had the fewest shots (11) and lowest expected goals (xG) total (0.53) of any Premier League match this season. The 11 shots were the fewest in a single match in the competition since March 2023 (Aston Villa v Crystal Palace).

"It was not our finest game," Howe told Sky Sports. "The effort was there, but the quality was not. It was a game of really few chances decided by a freak goal, and we could not create the opening we wanted.

"The goal came at a really bad time, and was bad in its construction. Nick has not meant to do it, but it has decided the game. I thought we had defended pretty well.

"The quality was missing in both halves, we were disappointed with our creative output. There was more intensity and more bravery on the ball after the changes without creating the chances, and their goalkeeper was not overworked.

"We know how much this means and all the focus on today was huge. We tried to deliver our best performance, and we haven't done that.

"We feel disappointed in ourselves and that we left something on the pitch, and that's a horrible feeling."

Newcastle's misery was compounded by an injury to Dan Burn, who was forced off in the 41st minute following a collision with Nordi Mukiele.

"Dan Burn has gone to hospital for a check of his ribs," Howe added. "So hopefully, he will be OK."