Alan Shearer has launched a scathing attack on Newcastle United following their 1-0 loss to Sunderland in the Wear-Tyne derby. The club's all-time top scorer described the performance as 'rotten', 'pathetic' and 'dreadful' on The Rest Is Football podcast.
The only goal of the match was an own goal by Nick Woltemade, but Shearer criticised the entire team for a lack of desire and energy. He singled out Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon and Woltemade for their subpar displays, and also questioned manager Eddie Howe's team selection.
Shearer said: 'I was really shocked at how dreadful they were. That is pathetic in any game, let alone in a derby game. The players said all week they knew how much it meant to the fans, but they did nothing. They were awful.'
With just one away win in the Premier League all season, Newcastle have struggled on the road. Shearer added: 'Eddie made some big calls team-wise, and I thought he got it wrong. The players he picked didn't perform. There was no desire, no energy, nothing.'
When asked if Sunderland deserved credit, Shearer acknowledged: 'Yeah, they deserved to win. They were up for the fight, won every second ball and every challenge. Newcastle were terrible.'
