'Weak' Newcastle lead league - in most points dropped from winning positionspublished at 21:15 GMT 22 March
21:15 GMT 22 March
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
No team in the Premier League this season has let slip more points from winning positions than Newcastle's 22.
Club legend Alan Shearer was scathing when he wrote on X that the side's performance was a "pathetic, weak, lazy, limp second half from Newcastle again".
Play fantasy football for a second and add 22 points to Newcastle's tally - they would be second on 64, six behind leaders Arsenal and in the title race.
However, reality has them 12th on 42 points, four adrift of eighth-placed Everton, who, depending on who wins the FA Cup, could be in a qualifying position for the third-tier Conference League.
From Champions League football in two of the past three campaigns, Newcastle face the real prospect of no continental competition in 2026-27.
Anthony Gordon said his side's inability to keep a lead was becoming a real problem.
"In the past few years, once we scored one at home we are looking for two, three, four where we go on and dominate. We haven't been that team this year," said the Magpies winger.
"The stadium gets a bit shaky when we are ahead. Repeatedly, this year, the second half has been a problem. I spoke about that in the changing room before we went out and still we were poor.
"We let them in the game and let them get comfortable. This has been a problem and we haven't fixed it. I don't think it's a physical thing - mentally we let them in."
Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland: What Howe saidpublished at 14:34 GMT 22 March
14:34 GMT 22 March
Media caption,
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports after their 2-1 defeat by Sunderland: "Painful, tough afternoon for us. Positive start, I thought when we scored we would go on and dominate but we never capitalised on that momentum. The first half fizzed out and second half we were second best. I didn't like our performance. Technically we were poor. The defeat is harsh on us but we didn't play well enough."
On if the fixture pile-up played a part: 'I'm reluctant to use that as an excuse. Logic would tell you yes, but we have to do better. We have to really look at ourselves and make sure we learn from all the mistakes we have made and we made a few today. This has happened before, it isn't a one off."
On Thiaw's disallowed goal: "These are big momentum swingers for us. We wanted a second goal, we couldn't find it. Sunderland grew into the game. We needed to defend with our lives and defend better than we did."
On his message to players: "We have some massive games to come. Week to week we are able to train and get that freshness back. We have had to learn a lot. It's going to need a lot of character to respond. We never give up, we always go for what we can."
On the match being paused for alleged racist abuse from the crowd: "We don't condone any form of racism and it's something the club will investigate."
Newcastle analysis: European return looks a long way offpublished at 14:28 GMT 22 March
14:28 GMT 22 March
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Before the game, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had spoken of looking for a quick return to Europe. That came on the back of a humiliating Champions League elimination on Wednesday when they conceded four second-half goals to lose 7-2 at Barcelona and 8-3 on aggregate in their last-16 tie.
Depending on who wins the FA Cup, eighth in the Premier League may be enough to secure European football next season, and at half-time Newcastle were heading ninth and would have been only one point behind eighth-placed Everton with seven league games to go.
But, in a turnaround that had not looked likely, Sunderland responded superbly after the break and were much the better team.
In the end, the away supporters, situated high behind the goal where their team had scored twice, were the ones left cheering as they followed their 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light with another success.
After Noah Sadiki's shot was saved by Aaron Ramsdale when it was 1-1, Newcastle thought they had regained the lead with substitute Malick Thiaw heading into the net from Lewis Hall's corner.
However, the home cheers soon turned to grumbles when the goal was ruled out with Jacob Murphy impeding goalkeeper Melker Ellborg while also standing in an offside position.
Newcastle drop to 12th, one place below Sunderland, with this result a big blow to Howe's hopes of an instant return to continental action.
The atmosphere at the end was in marked contrast earlier when thousands of black, white and gold flags had been placed on chairs for the home supporters to wave.
That, along with a spectacular tifo that ran along the side of one of the stands, produced a stunning visual display as the players came out.
The home supporters also held up banners, mocking Sunderland's absence from the top flight with one saying 'Welcome to the region's capital, you've been gone for so long'.
But, in the end, the visitors were the ones who had the last laugh.
Newcastle v Sunderland: Team newspublished at 10:58 GMT 22 March
10:58 GMT 22 March
Newcastle make two changes from the side that began the 7-2 loss at Barcelona in midweek as Sven Botman comes in for Malick Thiaw, while midfielder Sandro Tonali misses out after going off injured early in the second half at the Nou Camp.
Nick Woltemade, who scored an own goal to give Sunderland a 1-0 win earlier this season, comes in to replace Tonali.
Just the one change for Sunderland from the side that began the 1-0 defeat by Brighton eight days ago as Luke O'Nien starts with Dan Ballard not in the matchday squad.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Spurs v Nottingham Forest".
The Magpies' 8-3 aggregate defeat by Barcelona was a reality check. Newcastle did hold their own in the first leg and in the first half of the second but defensive failings let them down, something that has become a pattern in recent months.
In the current season, the Magpies were conceding an average of 1.26 goals a game to the end of December – in 2026 that figure has risen to 1.73.
They haven't had a home clean sheet in the Premier League since their opening match of the year and have conceded three goals in three of the five home league games since then.
Head coach Eddie Howe said "defensive mentality was key" in the 1-0 win at Chelsea last weekend, but if that was sublime defending, there was plenty of the ridiculous kind on show as his side shipped seven in midweek.
Only Tottenham and Burnley have conceded more Premier League goals than Newcastle since the start of the year. The Magpies have let in 43 goals in all competitions in 2026, more than any other top-flight team, although they have been fighting on four fronts.
Wednesday's European exit means just one of those fronts is still active and a win over Sunderland would not just banish memories of the 1-0 defeat by the Black Cats earlier in the season but also could prove vital in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Head coach Eddie Howe says Sunday's match is a "huge game for our city and club". A year after helping Newcastle end their long trophy drought, Howe is now aiming to avoid making unwanted history by becoming the first Magpies' manager to lose his first two league matches against Sunderland.
The Seagulls loss signified a third straight defeat at the Stadium of Light, where they had previously been unbeaten all season. Defeat in the Tyne-Wear derby would mean a third consecutive loss in all competitions for the first time this season.
Head coach Regis Le Bris said his side "lacked desire and fighting spirit" in the FA Cup exit but that surely won't be an issue against their local rivals.
Furthermore, they have a good record against Newcastle – they are unbeaten in their last 10 league games against the Magpies (W7, D3), winning seven of the last eight.
One win in six league games might not be the ideal derby preparation but a win at St James' Park would be the perfect fillip for the season run-in and, as an added bonus, it would also lift Sunderland above Newcastle in the Premier League table.
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle United v Sunderlandpublished at 11:58 GMT 21 March
11:58 GMT 21 March
I was at Nou Camp on Wednesday and although the wheels came off spectacularly in the second half, the story of the tie is that for one-and-a-half legs, Newcastle competed really well against Barcelona.
Even so, that defeat leaves Magpies boss Eddie Howe in a similar situation to Liam Rosenior at Chelsea, where it is important that he is has a strong end to the Premier League season to silence all his doubters.
I still think we have seen enough from Newcastle over the course of this campaign for Howe's job to be safe.
The glaring thing for me against Barca came after the game, watching their unused substitutes doing their running drills.
Two of the subs were their big summer attacking signings, Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade. The fact they had a huge European tie and neither got on the pitch summed up their impact this season.
So, I have massive sympathy for Howe about that and how much losing top scorer Alexander Isak last summer has affected his team.
This is a massive game for Newcastle, because they have got to pick themselves up and go again, against their biggest rivals.
If they lose this too, you know people are going to hit Howe with that stick that he is is not the right man to take the club forward.
They lost at Stadium of Light before Christmas, when Woltemade scored an own goal, so they simply cannot let the Black Cats do the double over them.
Sunderland's form has dropped off in the past few weeks and it does look like they are fizzling out, but the question is whether Newcastle can find the energy to see them off. I think they will.
Howe on Tonali's fitness, Hall's England call-up and Sunderlandpublished at 10:46 GMT 20 March
10:46 GMT 20 March
Media caption,
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Sunderland at St. James' Park (kick-off 12:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Sandro Tonali's availability after he was forced off with an injury against Barcelona: "We'll wait and see. Hopefully it is not as bad as I first feared when I saw him limping off the pitch. We will see how he is today (Friday) and make a decision closer to the game."
Howe is "hopeful" Lewis Miley, Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar will be available after the international break, but all three are unavailable for this game.
On Lewis Hall's call-up to the England squad: "He's had a really good last few weeks, his performances have been excellent. Against Barcelona, he was playing one of the best players in the world. I thought he was really good going forward and he'll only get better through experiences like that."
Talking about how his players must react after their heavy midweek defeat by Barcelona, Howe said: "We need to regroup and, as always, look at some of the positives. I know we lost 7-2, but for the first half we were more than a match for Barcelona, it was a very even game. Our bravery in and out of possession was excellent, but of course we need to learn from the second half. The individual errors we made can't happen again."
On Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa after they started on the bench against Barcelona: "Nick has had a lot of football this year, and just off the back of playing Chelsea I thought he played well. Yoane has had a big injury, I don't think we've seen the best of him yet and hopefully that will come. I look at them independently and not together."
Howe praised Sunday's visitors: "Sunderland have had a very good season, I know from personal experience the jump from Championship to Premier League is big. I think they've handled that really well. I think we need to use the experience from the first game, all the emotion we felt which was really painful, we need to use that too."
Asked whether his players are aware of the magnitude of their rivalry with Sunderland, Howe said: "The players will be in no doubt of the size of the game and I think reinforced by what happened earlier in the season. For any new player that wasn't fully aware of how big the game is, they will now certainly be aware."
Tuchel names England squad for March friendliespublished at 10:41 GMT 20 March
10:41 GMT 20 March
England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his 35-man squad for the two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).
There are 13 players involved who weren't in the last squad back in November, while there's a first senior call-up for Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Gossip: Magpies line up record contract for Guimaraespublished at 06:49 GMT 20 March
06:49 GMT 20 March
Manchester United are in advanced negotiations to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes for about £69m, but renewed interest from Real Madrid threatens to complicate the move for the 28-year-old Brazil midfielder. (Reuters), external
However, the Magpies are keen to keep Guimaraes and are lining up talks over a record new contract. (Teamtalk), external
Newcastle 'gifted' Barca goals at the Nou Camppublished at 06:36 GMT 20 March
06:36 GMT 20 March
Media caption,
Newcastle fan Matthew Eltringham gave his views on Newcastle's performance at Barcelona to BBC Radio Newcastle: "A lot of frustration coming out of that stadium because I felt 75% of the two legs were really good.
"For all that all to be outdone by what felt like a mad, crazy 25%, that's the point of frustration.
"I'm not for a second suggesting that Barcelona didn't up gears a little bit, even tactically in the second half.
"But when you gift them the goals we did, whether it was Malik Thiaw missing the ball, whether it was Jacob Ramsey passing the ball across, not being good from set-pieces it was basically giving one of the best teams in the world one of our hardest challenges an easy entry in some respects into the quarter-finals and that's what was a bitter pill to swallow.
"It was a fantastic trip from start to finish - I mean the weather was beautiful. I had never been to Barcelona and I think a lot of people in the direct aftermath not only wanted to enjoy the rest of the trip because why would you not when you're only over there for a couple of days?
"But people did start reflecting quite quickly. The players got clapped off, and it was more we've come to the Nou Camp, we've given them a good game, we've scored some goals and we've scared them in the first half.
"It's been a bit of a rollercoaster and a good ride, so I think it was a little bit splitting to some people like myself having that direct bit of frustration straight after and some just being delighted to be watching their team in the Nou Camp."
Tyne-Wear derby 'more than just football'published at 19:08 GMT 19 March
19:08 GMT 19 March
Media caption,
BBC Radio Newcastle have broadcast a special programme looking at the history of the Tyne-Wear derby and previewing Sunday's meeting between Newcastle and Sunderland at St James' Park.
Total Sport's Simon Pryde takes us through how the derby began, the moments that have gone down in history - and what the derby means to the players, fans and to the North East as a region.
He is joined by reporters, historians and fans from both sides to tell the story behind a truly special fixture.
Contextualising the rivalry, BBC Radio Newcastle commentator Matthew Raisbeck said: "When I think of the north-east derby i just think about passion. The passion both sets of fans have for their club and how much we get to experience that when a game is being played. The 90 minutes is full of fever, passion and energy in the stands."
BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes said: "In one sense it's a fantastic occasion, in another it's a massive headache.
"A madness in the build-up to the game itself. I always have a fear and a trepidation because I worry Sunderland will lose and all the fallout that comes with that. On the day itself, the anxiety, expectation, excitement and atmosphere makes it a remarkable occasion. I'm glad we've got one back, it has seemed like an eternity."
Bob: Absolutely no shame in a team the current stature of Newcastle getting beaten heavily by one of the favourites for the Champions League, one that has been performing magnificently of late! Everyone at Newcastle United should be proud of their efforts in reaching a stage never before reached. All of the Negative Nellies, ones using such idiotic terms as "humiliation", need a reality check.
Paul: Sometimes you have to acknowledge that the other team is just better than you. The important thing is to decide what you can learn from the experience. The whole Newcastle squad need to watch this match again and again, not to feel sorry for themselves, but to look at the individual skills of the other team and to learn new tricks of the trade for themselves. It might have been an almighty drubbing but it also brings opportunities to learn and improve.
Davo: First half Newcastle again matched Barcelona. Second half they didn't use the wings as often, kept giving the ball away and passed backwards more than forwards, including a free-kick from the opposition half which ended up back at Ramsdale. Overall nobody gave us a chance in the tie, but we proved when we do get it right, we can hurt the big teams. The instant calling for Eddie Howe's head from certain media people is sickening. In four full seasons in charge we have seen Champions League twice and won a trophy. People need to get real. We still have one hand tied behind our backs from rule changes brought in to stop us spending.
Alvin: A maelstrom of mixed emotions. It was apt that Elanga's long overdue breakthrough performance was sullied by frailties that have defined this season. Plenty of positives but the negatives always seemed to find a way to dampen the mood. So, neither ecstatic nor depressed but also both at the same time? Well, nothing a derby win this weekend can't fix. Howay the lads!!
Phil: Scoreline doesn't reflect how we played across both legs. For three of the four halves we were arguably the better side but then Barcelona showed why they're a top side. Despite the result, Newcastle should take a lot of positives from going toe to toe with one of Europe's elite.
Richard: We are so far off being able to compete at this level. The second half was dreadful, totally outclassed by a great team who may well win the competition.
Which side has suffered most from Premier League injuries this season?published at 11:59 GMT 19 March
11:59 GMT 19 March
Image source, Getty Images
We are getting to the stage of the season where every Premier League team is managing injuries in their squad as the sheer volume and intensity of games begins to take its toll.
But who has been most affected by injuries across the campaign so far?
Ben Dinnery, from Premier Injuries Limited, has provided the data below, showing the number of domestic injuries each top-flight team has suffered, defined by a player missing at least one Premier League game.
The data has been taken from the opening weekend up to and including 18 March.
Despite this table listing domestic injuries, it is unsurprising that the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all competed in European competition, with the Gunners still fighting on four fronts and the Blues also coming off the back of a much-shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup victory.
Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the fact Arsenal's 31 domestic injuries so far comfortably leads the way, illustrating the strength and depth available to Mikel Arteta to still have his side nine points clear at the top of the table.
The graphic below shows Tottenham lead the way for days missed by injured players, illustrating the issues faced by Thomas Frank, who had to cope with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
Both West Ham and Brentford are in the bottom three for domestic injuries and days missed through those injuries, while Arsenal and Villa are in the top three for both.
Chelsea drop down the table when looking at days missed, showing they have predominately suffered from short absences spread throughout the squad.
It is worth pointing out that Newcastle's two longest absences this season - Emil Krafth (120 days) and Yoane Wissa (88 days), who had not yet even trained with his new side, resulted from injuries picked up on international duty and are not factored into the figures.
'A sorry ending' for Magpies but no time for 'hangover'published at 10:55 GMT 19 March
10:55 GMT 19 March
Thursday's newspaper back pages are headlined on Newcastle's heavy 7-2 defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League in the second leg of the last-16 tie.
But despite an unflattering scoreline, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Champions League Debrief "there's more to it than that".
"On the face of it, you would think that Newcastle had been pummelled by Barcelona over the two games, but that wasn't the case," said Sutton.
"They were pummelled for one half of one half of football and Newcastle gave such a good account of themselves.
"Eddie Howe was bold in their approach to facing Barcelona, in terms of pressing them high, going man-for-man and going after them. You take a risk by having that approach because Barcelona have some brilliant attacking players, but Newcastle always looked a threat.
"I thought Newcastle would run out of steam, but I didn't see it panning out like that second half and ultimately, Barcelona wiped the floor with them. It was a sorry and sad ending."
Meanwhile, former Magpies defender John Anderson believes they "have to defend better" after making it too easy for Barcelona in the second half.
When asked about whether this thumping defeat could affect Howe's men for Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland at St James' Park, Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle: "No I don't think so. They have to get back on the horse - so to speak - and just get on with it.
"They know how big this game is going to be and they will remember what happened at the Stadium of Light and want to put that right."
2030 vision still feels a long way offpublished at 08:22 GMT 19 March
08:22 GMT 19 March
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
It was telling that those in Wednesday's away end applauded their side off at full-time and repeatedly vowed to "support you ever more".
The travelling support had certainly not forgotten that Newcastle had reached the last 16 of the Champions League for only the second time in the club's history, nor that the visitors lost just three of their dozen Champions League fixtures this season, nor that they put in valiant displays in 1-1 draws against Barcelona and holders Paris St-Germain.
"This is where we want to be," said Eddie Howe. "As much as it is a harsh scoreline on us and a painful experience, to see the players play in the way they did in the first half and execute 90% of what we wanted, it was a great feeling and a great sight.
"I don't think that all should be forgotten with the scoreline, as difficult as that is for everyone to see."
However, this sobering trip to the Nou Camp felt another timely reminder of the gap Newcastle have to bridge.
It is challenging enough for them to regularly qualify for the Champions League year in, year out.
It will be harder still to compete for such heavyweight honours as CEO David Hopkinson has set out to do as soon as 2030.
Howe spoke afterwards "about learning from today and evolving and changing if we need to".
Those words did not just feel like a reference to the games to come.
You anticipate this side will look a little different when Newcastle next play in Europe, and that is before taking departures into account.
It was rather telling that Howe was fielding questions about the future of Sandro Tonali on the eve of one of the biggest games in the club's recent history following yet another batch of comments from the midfielder's agent, Giuseppe Riso, at the weekend.
Qualifying for the Champions League did not exactly help the club's cause when it came to keeping hold of Alexander Isak.
But failing to finish in the top five will leave Newcastle particularly vulnerable in a window they have to get right following the turbulence of last summer.
How Barcelona exploited Magpies' defensive weaknesspublished at 07:39 GMT 19 March
07:39 GMT 19 March
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Champions League Match of the Day pundits Stephen Warnock and Nedum Onuoha look at how Barcelona were able to repeatedly expose Newcastle United's centre-backs Dan Burn and Malick Thiaw during their 7-2 victory in the second leg of their last-16 tie.
Image source, Getty Images
