Eddie Howe insists Newcastle United's 'painful' Premier League derby defeat at Sunderland 'won't define our season'

It was a harrowing day for Newcastle United and their supporters as they fell to defeat against fierce rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. It left The Magpies four points behind The Black Cats in the Premier League standings, and manager Eddie Howe reflected on a "horrible" afternoon for his side. Newcastle host Chelsea - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - on Saturday, December 20.

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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe said defeat to Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby would not "define our season".

The Magpies fell to a 1-0 loss against their bitter rivals at the Stadium of Light after Nick Woltemade headed into his own net early in the second half.

Howe admitted the result was "very painful", but suggested there is plenty still to play for this season.

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"It’s a horrible feeling, it’s very painful," he said. "It was not our finest game. It’s so disappointing, we know our performance was not what it needed to be.

"But, no, I don’t think it will define our season. Nothing is lost today.

"It was a game of very few chances settled by a freak goal and we couldn’t create the openings we wanted. The effort was there but the quality wasn’t. We were disappointed with our creative output.

"We haven’t delivered. It’s difficult to take."

On the reaction from Newcastle's travelling fans, Howe added: "Criticism comes with every defeat. With this one, it will be louder and stronger just because of the importance of the game. We fully acknowledge that. That's why it hurts so much.

"We are so disappointed for our supporters and sorry for the performance, the lack of goalmouth action and clinical attacking that we try to pride ourselves on during recent seasons. It was not there today.

"For that, we are sorry. Certainly, it was not a lack of effort from the lads."

Sunderland, meanwhile, were jubilant, having beaten their rivals for the first time in over a decade.

Manager Regis Le Bris said: "I’m proud and happy. The win is well deserved. The lads were incredible.

"We were mature and composed under the pressure. Sometimes we were even a bit too patient. We were good with the ball but it was a question of being more clinical in the final third.

"We should have scored a second goal but we knew what to do and, it was comfortable [to see the game out at 1-0] to be fair. We had good control.

"We were playing with the expectation of winning. Now we want to continue this dominance. It’s fragile but very good for this region and for our fans."

Midfielder Granit Xhaka said newly promoted Sunderland are worthy of more plaudits after they climbed to seventh in the Premier League table, level on points with champions Liverpool.

"Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how," the former Arsenal player told Sky Sports. "This team deserves much more and more respect as where we are in the league is amazing, and we're working really hard.

"In the first half we had much more control with the ball but it's normal you don't do it for 90 minutes. After 1-0 the game changed a bit, but we were very good without the ball and we deserved the three points for sure."

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