Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon issues apology after derby defeat to Sunderland
Anthony Gordon has issued an apology on social media after Newcastle were defeated by Sunderland in the first Premier League Wear-Tyne derby since 2016.
Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon has posted an apology on social media after his side suffered a 1-0 loss in the first Wear-Tyne derby in the top-flight in nearly a decade.
Regis Le Bris’ side picked up a massive three points against their arch rivals in front of a raucous Stadium of Light crowd, thanks to Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade heading into his own net. The German forward signed for the visitors in a big-money deal in the summer to replace star striker Alexander Isak after he left St James’ Park in a British transfer record deal to reigning Premier League champions Liverpool.
But Woltemade’s first taste of derby action in the North East could not have gone much worse after being starved of service from those around him before heading past his own goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale, in comical fashion just after the second half whistle had gone.
And his attacking teammates, Anthony Elanga and Gordon, also had days to forget with a lack of imagination to help break down Le Bris’ compact defensive structure, which has been the foundation of the Black Cats’ thrilling start to their first season back in the Premier League in nine seasons.
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This uninspiring Magpies' performance led Gordon to take to Instagram to apologise to fans of Newcastle, posting: “Totally underperformed today in a game that would have meant so much to everyone. We can only apologise, reset and try to make it right on Wednesday.” It has become a normal custom for players to take to social media to speak to the fans after losing in such a big game, but Howe’s side have struggled on the road all season.
This is a side that have won one game on the road all season, drawing three and losing four others in the eight games they have played in the league. Therefore, the weekend’s result might not come as much of a surprise to the Newcastle faithful, and they will want to improve on this record if they want any chance of finishing in the European places this season.
It was Howe’s first taste of facing Sunderland in the league, but he was in charge when Newcastle beat their bitter rivals in the FA Cup in January 2024. Speaking after the defeat, Howe said: “We're so disappointed for our supporters and sorry for the performance, really.
“In a sense of the lack of goal-and-out-of-action, the lack of clinical attacking, which we've tried to pride ourselves on over recent seasons, it wasn't there today. I'm sorry, it certainly wasn't there in the last game, but today wasn't like that.”