(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media/Imago)

Jack Dawson

Sun 22 March 2026 14:35, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Newcastle United’s awful week continued as Sunderland produced a stunning comeback to win the Tyne-Wear derby 2-1 at St James’ Park.

Despite being gifted an early lead through Anthony Gordon, two second-half goals from the visitors were enough to flip the scoreline.

As a result, the Black Cats have now completed a league double over Newcastle, leapfrogging them in the table in the process.

Eddie Howe was already under immense pressure going into the game, and now, this is going to skyrocket.

Below, Football Insider has explored three key decisions the manager got wrong in an awful Newcastle derby result.

Newcastle failed to capitalise on Sunderland’s awful first half

After Gordon’s early goal, it was clear that the visitors were shellshocked.

Newcastle were having all of the ball, with St James’ Park rocking.

However, Howe did not push his side forward enough to strike a decisive blow.

Instead, the Magpies remained passive in Sunderland’s final third, with the only real chance being when Sven Botman hit the post.

This allowed Regis Le Bris to change things up at half-time and get Sunderland back into the game.

If Howe had been more ruthless, they could have had the game over at the break, with the Black Cats all over the place.

Eddie Howe’s baffling Nick Woltemade substitution

While many of Newcastle’s stars were poor against Sunderland, one of the shining lights was Nick Woltemade.

Coming in as the attacking midfielder once again, the German international was exceptional and provided Gordon with the assist for his opener.

During his time on the pitch, he created numerous chances and was a menace that Sunderland had struggled to contain.

Anthony Gordon capitalises on a horrible error from Sunderland! 😨 pic.twitter.com/i2OJW9548h

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 22, 2026

Yet, just after the Black Cats’ equaliser, he was subbed off, which caused the Magpies’ attack to be severely weakened.

This decision is only more baffling given that Jacob Murphy was brought on to whip balls into the box, and Howe had just taken off one of his biggest aerial threats.

Yoane Wissa brought on far too late for Newcastle

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle will look to buy a new striker in the summer due to Howe being unhappy with Yoane Wissa.

However, this does not excuse how late the attacker came on.

Wissa was brought on in the 89^th-minute, giving him little time to change the game.

While the former Brentford star has done little to impress for the Magpies, it is clear that he is a goal threat and in a derby, he should have been one of the first players thrown on.

Instead, Howe’s lack of trust in his attackers ended up being his downfall as Sunderland netted the late winner.

As a result, given these reasons above, it is hard to see Howe not getting sacked as results continue to suffer.