Eddie Howe issues apology after Newcastle slump to nightmare Sunderland derby defeat

It leaves Newcastle sitting 12th in the Premier League table after 16 games, with Sunderland occupying seventh after a fine start to the season.

And Howe fronted up following the fixture, with the 48-year-old apologising to supporters for such an abject performance.

"That will swing for a long time," Howe admitted. "We know our performance was off what we needed to to be.

"Not defensively, we defended well. It was a game of few chances. Unfortunately, the one big moment goes against us.

"But we weren’t good enough to open them up. I am disappointed for the supporters and sorry for our performance, for a lack of goalmouth action and clinical attacking.

"It certainly wasn’t a lack of effort. But the first 60 minutes I don’t think we posed a threat at all.

"It wasn’t the finest day for any of our front players. The openings were there, with a better decision or pass. But the quality was not there in that phase of the game."

Howe wasn't alone in reaction to the defeat.

Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes labelled their display 'embarrassing', while also taking aim at Sunderland for 'playing with long balls'.

"I’m very angry. I’m so embarrassed. I’m so frustrated," raged the Brazil international.

"There was no crossing, no passing and no shooting. No nothing. It was a mess, in my opinion.

"We know we have a better team than them (Sunderland) but we didn’t play like the better team.

"The consistency isn’t there, the mentality isn’t there. We didn’t compete. The fans expect and deserve better.

"We accepted the way they play with the long balls. You need to compete in a derby and we didn’t.

"We only have one way we can go from here, and that’s winning in a few days (against Fulham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final)."

Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris expressed his delight after seeing his side continue their sensational start to the season.

“I’m proud and happy,” said the 50-year-old. “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.”