“Embarrassing Performance!” – Bruno Guimarães Slams Newcastle After Derby Defeat as Eddie Howe Issues Apology
Newcastle United endured a painful afternoon in the Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light, as they were beaten 1-0 by Sunderland — their first Premier League meeting with their fierce rivals in nearly a decade. The decisive moment came shortly after half-time when Nick Woltemade’s attempted clearance ricocheted into his own net, handing Sunderland all three points and leaving Newcastle’s players red-faced. (Reuters)
For Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, the result was bad enough, but his frustration ran far deeper than the scoreline. After the final whistle, the Brazilian midfielder launched a blistering critique of his own team, describing their performance as “a mess” and expressing profound embarrassment at how little they competed in such a significant derby. (Goal)
Guimaraes did not hold back in his assessment. He said he was “very angry… so embarrassed and so frustrated” by Newcastle’s lack of attacking ambition and intensity. According to him, the side failed to deliver any meaningful threat: no crossing, passing or shooting that matched their potential. He lamented a lack of consistency and the wrong mentality for such a high-stakes game, insisting that the Magpies simply did not compete with the commitment needed in a derby. (Goal)
“The fans expect and deserve better,” Guimaraes added, acknowledging that the supporters — who had traveled in numbers and passion — were entitled to feel let down by a flat display. He admitted the feeling of disappointment was mutual within the squad, stressing that Newcastle, on paper, have a better team but failed to play like it on the pitch. (NewcastleWorld)
Beyond criticism of the performance, Guimaraes recognised the wider context of the defeat. Having been excited about the fixture during the week in training, he confessed to being “so frustrated and angry” that his side did not deliver what had been promised. He genuinely believes the players understood the importance of the derby, only to fall short when it mattered most. (Sunderland Echo)
While his comments were blunt, Guimaraes also offered a rallying cry, insisting there was “one way to go” — by improving performances, winning games, and pushing on in other competitions like the Carabao Cup and their Champions League aspirations. (Goal)
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe also addressed the media after the match and issued a heartfelt apology to supporters. Howe described the defeat as “very painful” and conceded that his side’s performance, particularly in attack, was well below the standard expected of them. He apologised for the lack of goalmouth action and creativity — elements that have been key to Newcastle’s identity in recent seasons. (Sunderland Echo)
Although Howe defended the team’s effort, saying they defended reasonably well, he was honest about their shortcomings and accepted accountability as manager for not preparing his players to produce the necessary quality. Howe acknowledged that criticism from fans would be louder due to the derby’s significance, and he was clear that Newcastle’s display simply wasn’t good enough. (Sunderland Echo)
This derby defeat has not only left a mark on Newcastle’s league campaign — sliding them down the table — but it has also sparked fierce conversations among supporters and pundits about mentality, performance and leadership. For now, both players and manager must respond quickly to silence critics and restore belief ahead of a demanding festive schedule. (foxsports.com)
