Anthony Gordon frustrated by Newcastle’s loss to ‘not very good’ Sunderland

Anthony Gordon suggested Sunderland are “not a very good team” compared to Newcastle as he expressed his frustrations at a Tyne-Wear derby defeat.

Four days after exiting the Champions League with a 7-2 loss in Barcelona, the Magpies were beaten 2-1 by their arch-rivals at St James’ Park.

Gordon sent the hosts in front after capitalising on a mistake from a Sunderland goal-kick, but Chemsdine Talbi levelled after the break and Brian Brobbey scored a 90th-minute winner as the Black Cats completed a derby double.

Defeat was Newcastle’s second to Sunderland this season after being beaten 1-0 in December’s reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light and Gordon admitted they struggled in the second half.

He told Newcastle’s club media channel: “Not good enough really, no excuses. We were good for 45 minutes, which has been the case too often this season – we actually knew going into the game and had been trying to work on it.

“Not good enough to start the second half and they were the better team second half.”

Asked if a loss at home hurts just as much, Gordon said: “Probably worse because the other one’s away.

“Both just as bad, but to be honest the way we lost the game, we went ahead 1-0, the way we were playing, I thought they were really poor and then we let them into the game and basically gave them the win.

“The frustrating thing is, in my opinion, they’re not a very good team compared to us. We shouldn’t lose to them.

“Away is obviously more difficult because they have the fans, the atmosphere and a bit more pressure, but at home we should not lose that game. Not with the first half that we had, but again we haven’t been good enough starting second halves and it’s an ongoing problem.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe understood the criticism directed at his side following a bruising week, with a 13th Premier League defeat this season leaving them one point behind 12th-placed Sunderland.

He said: “My first thought as the leader of everything is to front it up. Absorb it, act how I would normally act in all moments and I think that’s really important for me.

“I understand the criticism, expect it and have got no issue with it.”

Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer believes the loss will be “worrying” for Howe’s side, who return to action after the international break on April 12 away to Crystal Palace.

“Sunderland wanted it more than Newcastle in the second half and that is pretty damning, particularly after the way Newcastle played in the first game at the Stadium of Light,” Shearer told the Rest is Football podcast.

“Eddie got it all wrong in that game. He couldn’t lift his players in the second half and that is really worrying and disappointing.

“Well done Sunderland, they were the better team, they deserved to win, as much as it hurts me to say that. Worrying for Newcastle and big questions will be asked.

“It’s going to be a long two or three weeks for Newcastle now, the international break, because people will be hurt, people will be angry and there’ll be so much s*** thrown at Eddie and Newcastle now.

“He has to cope with that and understand that, as do the people that are running the club.”