Newcastle’s season reaches a new low as Sunderland delight in Tyne-Wear derby

Newcastle’s training ground was a “dreary place” after Howe’s side lost in the Wear-Tyne derby in December.

It will feel like a morgue after this defeat.

It is one thing to concede seven goals to Barcelona at Camp Nou, but another to lose to their arch rivals at St James’ Park a few days later.

But such severe setbacks are in keeping with the wild season Newcastle is having.

Just when Howe’s men appeared to be generating a bit of momentum – beating Chelsea and Manchester United in successive league games – they fell to the ground.

But you never know what you’re going to get with this team, which has been a recurring theme throughout the rollercoaster campaign.

Newcastle, on the other hand, reached the Champions League last 16 for only the second time, as well as the Carabao Cup semi-final for the third time in four seasons.

On the other hand, they have suffered 13 league defeats.

A team that looked ready to take off after qualifying for the Champions League and ending a 70-year wait for a major domestic title has never made a sustained run this season.

However, there was an acknowledgment internally that there would be choppy waters to navigate after Newcastle lost star striker Alexander Isak, missed out on a host of top transfer targets and made four of their five permanent additions in the final two weeks of the summer window.

It has taken the vast majority of Newcastle’s signings time to make an impact.

Newcastle spent £124m on Nick Woltimade and Yoan Wissa, but the duo did not take to the Camp Nou this week.

Waltmead has made an impressive start at Newcastle, but has found himself being tested as a midfielder recently, while Wisa has struggled to make any sort of lasting impression.

It has gotten to the point where winger Gordon is Newcastle’s best option in midfield despite a huge spending spree last summer.

However, the most pressing issue for him is defence.

Remarkably, this leaky side has conceded 45 goals in all competitions in 2026.

Howe has had little time to address these matters on the training pitches during a grueling season in which Newcastle have played more games than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues.

That will change now with the schedule loosening, but this has been a devastating week for the head coach.