Alan Shearer Slams ‘Pathetic’ Newcastle Players After Derby Defeat

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has torn into several players after Eddie Howe’s side were beaten 1-0 in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.

After a huge week of build-up and anticipation, the weekend’s clash at the Stadium of Light failed to match the hype for the majority of the afternoon.

Action was limited at both ends, with just three shots on target between the two teams.

Heading into the weekend, the stats made this the tightest Premier League derby in history in terms of head-to-head record.

But it was Sunderland who emerged victorious after Magpies striker Nick Woltemade’s headed clearance looped into his own net via the crossbar for a bizarre own goal just after half time.

Newcastle’s lacklustre display, particularly going forward, has earned plenty of criticism.

They barely tested Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs, failing to register a shot on goal until well into the second half.

Running out of ideas, they began floating tame crosses into the area, allowing Roefs to claim most with ease.

It was a dreadful display from the visitors, who made the short journey back to Tyneside having failed to land a glove on their rivals.

And the nature of the defeat has particularly angered Alan Shearer.

Alan Shearer Slams “Pathetic” Newcastle Display At Sunderland

The Premier League record goal-scorer has taken aim at his former side, blasting their performance on Sunday.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he tore into Eddie Howe’s players.

“Newcastle were dreadful, they were rotten,” said Shearer.

Offered nothing up front at all. Awful. Miles off it for a derby game. #SUNNEW

— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) December 14, 2025

“I was really shocked at how bad they were because, I mean, that is pathetic in any game, let alone in a derby game.

“Seriously, you’re going to play in the biggest game of this season at your rivals and you’ve heard all the players all week, ‘we know how much it means to the fans and we’re going to do this and we’re going to do that’.

“They did nothing. They were awful, honestly.

“Eddie made some big calls team-wise and I thought Eddie got it wrong as well. The players who were picked didn’t perform for him.

“Elanga was awful. Gordon was awful. Woltemade was awful. And they offered nothing in forward positions.”

Sunderland Boss Régis Le Bris Proud Of Derby Day Win

Newcastle may have left Wearside disappointed, but their opponents will be delighted.

Sunderland continued a run of 10 league games unbeaten against their arch rivals.

The Black Cats have not lost a Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League since 2011, with their only defeat in that time an FA Cup loss in 2024.

But it’s been ten years since their last derby win over Newcastle, due to playing in different leagues.

So it was no surprise to see players, staff and fans celebrating wildly at the final whistle.

Régis Le Bris ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uZ5t0bqqHP

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 15, 2025

And nobody was more pleased than Sunderland boss, Regis Le Bris.

Speaking after the game, he told Sky Sports he was “Proud and happy.”

“It was a derby and we were expected [to win] by our fans,” he continued.

“This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.

“During the first half tactically it was really good, just small details about the shape, then it was a question of being more clinical in the final third.

We had good control and sometimes were more patient.

“It was a good level of maturity, so happy for the lads and it is good for our fans. It’s good for the region, the club, the fans.

“We knew before it was a special game but we have to reset quickly as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week so let’s go again.”