Anthony Gordon has expressed disappointment over Newcastle United's recent defeat to rivals Sunderland, labeling the loss as "not good enough." He emphasized that Sunderland is not at the same level as the Magpies, which makes the outcome even more frustrating for him and his teammates.
Sunderland managed to secure a league double over Newcastle with a 2-1 victory at St James' Park, adding to their earlier win of 1-0 in the season's first match-up. This defeat extends Newcastle's winless streak against Sunderland to 11 league meetings, marking the longest such stretch in the history of this rivalry.
A Frustrating Loss for Newcastle
Gordon, who scored Newcastle’s opening goal in the match, reflected on the game by stating, "The frustrating thing is, in my opinion, they're not a very good team compared to us. We shouldn't lose to them." He acknowledged the challenges of playing away, citing the home crowd's influence on Sunderland's performance, but stressed that losing at home was unacceptable, especially after a strong first half from Newcastle.
"Away is obviously more difficult because they have the fans, the atmosphere, and a bit more pressure, but at home we should not lose that game," he added. Gordon also pointed out that the team's struggles in the second half continue to be a recurring issue, indicating an ongoing problem that needs addressing.
Table Implications and Recent Struggles
With this latest defeat, Newcastle has slipped to 12th place in the Premier League table, while Sunderland's victory propelled them into 11th, one point ahead of the Magpies. The loss follows a disappointing Champions League campaign for Newcastle, where they suffered an 8-3 aggregate defeat to Barcelona.
Reflecting on the team's performance, Gordon stated, "It was not good enough really, no excuses. We were good for 45 minutes, which has been the case too often this season." He acknowledged that the team had been aware of their second-half shortcomings going into the match, yet they failed to improve. "A not good enough start to the second half and they were the better team second half," he concluded.
Injury Update: Sven Botman Undergoes Surgery
In other news, Newcastle defender Sven Botman has undergone surgery to address a facial fracture sustained during the second half of the match against Sunderland. The 26-year-old is anticipated to make a return before the end of the current season, providing a potential boost for the squad as they look to recover from recent setbacks.
Statistical Insights
From a statistical perspective, Sunderland's victory was significant, giving them 43 points and solidifying their position in the Premier League. The Black Cats have recorded 11 wins, 10 draws, and 10 losses this season, while Newcastle has a slightly better record with 12 wins, six draws, and 13 losses.
In terms of scoring, Newcastle has netted 44 goals but has also conceded 45, contrasting with Sunderland's tally of 32 goals scored and 36 against. Both teams show similar shot conversion rates, with Newcastle at 10.8% and Sunderland at 10.5%. Notably, Sunderland has achieved nine clean sheets, surpassing Newcastle's eight, and maintains a better record when coming back from losing positions, having gained 19 points compared to Newcastle's three. Meanwhile, Newcastle continues to struggle with dropping points from winning positions, losing 22 compared to Sunderland's eight.
