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Eddie Howe on Newcastle's derby defeat at Sunderland: "You never want one game to define a season but if anything you want to define it in a positive way and show your class. We're trying to get the momentum we want and we haven't grabbed it fully"
Football Journalist
@Ronnabe
Sunday 14 December 2025 17: 46, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Eddie Howe hopes Newcastle can use the "stinging" Tyne-Wear derby defeat to Sunderland to inspire their season "in a positive way" by pushing the Magpies to show more consistency. Newcastle lacked quality and bravery at the Stadium of Light as they fell to a fourth away defeat of the season in the Premier League, ending a run of 10 points from their last four games which had raised hopes on Tyneside of kickstarting their stop-start campaign. The loss extended Newcastle's winless Premier League run against their closest rivals to 10 matches in one of their poorest displays of the season, where Howe's side managed just two shots on target and an x G of 0. 25. "It's going to sting for a long time, " Howe said. "Our performance was off of what we needed it to be. Not from a defensive perspective, we defended pretty well, but the one big moment went against us. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "Criticism comes with every defeat but with this one it'll be louder and stronger because of the importance of the game. That's why it hurts so much, I'm so disappointed for our supporters and sorry for the performance in terms of the lack of goalmouth action and clinical attacking which we've prided ourselves on in recent seasons. "You never want one game to define a season but if anything you want to define it in a positive way and show your class. It's been a season of stop-starts for us, it feels. We're trying to get the momentum we want and we haven't grabbed it fully. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "We have a massive game on Wednesday [against Fulham in the Carabao Cup, live on Sky Sports] and then the Christmas run of games, which is a huge period. Nothing is lost today but there is a bit of momentum lost in terms of our Premier League form, which has been pretty good of late. "
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On Nick Woltemade's own goal which decided the game in his first Tyne-Wear derby, Howe added: "I don't think he'll take it personally, it's one of those things that can happen in a game. "He's gone back with good intentions, he's defended set plays well since he's been here. I don't hold him responsible for that in any way. " Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sunderland man of the match Dan Ballard said the "hurt" of Newcastle taking a picture in front of the away end following victory at the Stadium of Light in their previous meeting in January 2024 prompted a revenge mission for the hosts this time around. The Black Cats squad lined up as one following their win over their fiercest rivals, a tongue-in-cheek mirror of what Eddie Howe's side did after their own FA Cup win on Wearside almost two years ago. Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Ballard said: "That hurt last time. A lot of the players wanted to do it - but it is what it is. The most important thing was three points and winning today. " On those painful memories of their previous encounter, where Ballard's own goal was the first in Newcastle's 3-0 win that day, he said: "Words can't describe it. Thinking back to the last game, it was so painful. "For the players, for the fans, it felt like we let them down. We were so determined this time. Especially the boys who were there and experienced that day. "It prepared us more for today, we came into the game with a lot more quality in the team and some strong leaders. "It was't the prettiest game but we stuck in there, we fought hard and thoroughly deserved the win. " Super 6 have made a millionaire already this season, but could you be the next big winner? Enter the next round for free.
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