ALAN SHEARER SLAMS 'ROTTEN, PATHETIC' NEWCASTLE AS EDDIE HOWE'S SUNDERLAND CALLS DUG OUT

Newcastle United were beaten 1-0 by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in their crunch Premier League showdown, and Alan Shearer has hammered his beloved side for their display

Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has blasted the Magpies performance against Sunderland

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has absolutely hammered the Magpies following their defeat to arch-rivals Sunderland. The Magpies' all-time leading goalscorer said his former side were rotten, pathetic, dreadful, and almost ran out of superlatives to describe the Wear-Tyne Derby defeat.

A Nick Woltemade own goal was all that separated the two sides, but it was a poor game that lacked any attacking intent from either side.

Shearer singled out Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon for their poor displays and felt that Eddie Howe got his team selection wrong.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer said: "I wasn't [okay]. Newcastle were dreadful.

"They were rotten and I was really shocked at how dreadful they were because, I mean, that is pathetic in any game, let alone in a derby game.

"Seriously, you're going to play in the biggest game of the season at your rivals and you've heard all the players all week, 'We know how much it means to the fans and we're going to do this and that.' Well, lads, they did nothing. They were awful, honestly."

Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade scored the decisive goal in the wrong end against Sunderland(Image: Getty Images)

Newcastle have won just once away in the Premier League all season, and Shearer didn't hold back in his criticism of the Newcastle manager either, adding: "Eddie made some big calls team-wise, and I thought Eddie got it wrong as well.

"The players who he picked didn't perform for him. Elanga was awful. Gordon was awful. Woltemade was awful. They offered nothing in forward positions."

Shearer got fed up with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards sniggering on the podcast, as he hit out: "Stop laughing you two d********s. You pair of... I wish I could say that word I'd call you that now."

The Newcastle icon then continued: "There was no desire, there was no energy, there was nothing. You go away to Sunderland, and who aren't a great team, and after half an hour, Sunderland had about 70 per cent possession, as if.

"I was thinking, 'Am I missing something here, are we going away to Arsenal or Man City here?'

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe got some decisions wrong at the Stadium of Light(Image: PA)

"We're going away to Sunderland. Okay, they're hard to beat at home. They're really well organized and they're above us in the table but come on, they're not Barcelona or Real Madrid.

"Are we going to have a pop at them or have a go at least? There was nothing from Newcastle. It was really, really awful."

When asked by Richards if Sunderland could get a bit of credit, Shearer said: "Yeah, they deserved to win. They were up for the fight.

"They had the energy, they won every second ball. They won every challenge. Well done, yeah. Newcastle were terrible."

- Matty Hewitt

EDDIE HOWE: MY RELATIONSHIP WITH ALEXANDER ISAK CHANGED ONCE HE WENT ON STRIKE

The 25-year-old missed the club’s pre-season tour to Singapore and South Korea and was left training by himself on the squad’s return before eventually getting his wish with a deadline day move to Anfield.

HOWE TIMES HAVE CHANGED: Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has revealed his relationship with striker Alexander Isak broke down after the player went on strike (John Walton/PA)

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted his relationship with Alexander Isak became “difficult” after he went on strike in an attempt to force through his move to Liverpool.

The 25-year-old Sweden international missed the club’s pre-season tour to Singapore and South Korea and was left training by himself on the squad’s return before eventually getting his wish with a deadline day move to Anfield which netted the Magpies £130million.

Asked about his relationship with the man he signed from Real Sociedad for £63million during the summer of 2022, head coach Howe said: “Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship. I loved working with him and I hope he loved working with us.

“It was mutually beneficial. We helped him become the player that he in part is today, and he helped us as a team achieve some unbelievable milestones. He was part of a very successful team.

“But to give you a bit more on that, the moment he went on strike, our relationship did change. I think that was probably a turning point in our relationship. Communication became difficult from that point onwards. I won’t go into any more detail than that.”

Isak’s departure prompted Newcastle to invest £69m in VfL Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who cost them £55m, and the former could make his debut against Wolves on Saturday.

However, Wissa will not be involved after returning from international duty with DR Congo with a knee injury which could also rule him out of Thursday night’s Champions League opener against Barcelona.

"The moment he went on strike, our relationship did change"

Asked if the 29-year-old would be available for the Premier League fixture, Howe said: “Unfortunately not, no, so he won’t make this game.

“I saw him for the first time yesterday, he’s feeling the effects of the injury he sustained just before he came off, so we’re going to have to see how he is.”

Asked further about the severity of Wissa’s problem, Howe added: “I don’t know currently as I sit here. I think he’ll go away for tests and maybe see a specialist to see.”

Woltemade could get his first taste of St James’ Park on Saturday, and Howe has called for patience as the 23-year-old Germany international attempts to plug a sizeable gap.

Newcastle new boy Jacob Ramsey is facing a month on the sidelines (Nigel French/PA)

Howe said: “I think it would have been impossible to have replaced Alex like-for-like. There’s no other player like Alex, he was totally unique. He had his qualities and I think it’s important we don’t compare whoever we bring in to Alex, because I think that’s very difficult to do.

“I think each player that comes in is an individual in their own right and has their own strengths and weaknesses. There will be a process where we have to mould ourselves to them, and vice-versa.”

Wissa’s absence, coupled with that of fellow summer arrival Jacob Ramsey, who will be sidelined until after the October international break with an ankle injury, represents a significant blow to Howe, who is already without the suspended Anthony Gordon.

- DAMIAN SPELLMAN, PA

NEWCASTLE UNITED RELEASE STRONG STATEMENT AFTER ALEXANDER ISAK'S SOCIAL MEDIA POST

Newcastle United have released a strong statement in response to Alexander Isak’s eye-opening social media post. Isak, who is wanted by Liverpool, accused his current employers of ‘broken promises’ via a statement on his Instagram story.

The 25-year-old, who reportedly only wants to join Premier League champions Liverpool this summer, released his statement after being named in the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Season on Tuesday night. Isak missed the ceremony, despite being nominated for the top prize of Player of the Year.

The Sweden international wrote: "I'm proud to be recognised by my fellow professionals with a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season for 2024/25. First and foremost, I want to thank my teammates and everyone at Newcastle United who has supported me along the way. I'm not at the ceremony tonight. With everything going on, it didn't feel right to be there. I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken.

"That silence allowed others to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors. The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now - and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."

Newcastle Release Statement in Response to Isak

Newcastle have now responded to Isak, making it clear that while they are ‘disappointed’ by the striker’s statement, there’s still a way back into the squad for him.

The Magpies wrote via their official website: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening.

“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.

“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.

“We do not foresee those conditions being met. This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.”

- Rob Swan

NEWCASTLE SET TO PUNISH ALEXANDER ISAK AS LIVERPOOL TRANSFER SAGA ESCALATES

Alexander Isak has not trained with Newcastle's first team since they returned from their pre-season tour of Asia, as he looks to force a move to Liverpool this summer.

Alexander Isak wants to join Liverpool. (Image: Getty)

Newcastle United are set to impose a club fine on Alexander Isak should he miss the first match of the Premier League season, as the striker is keen to secure a transfer to Liverpool. The Swedish international faces a penalty as his refusal to play for the Magpies coincides with their match against Aston Villa.

Isak has been pushing for a move to Liverpool this summer and hasn't trained with Eddie Howe's first team since their pre-season tour of Asia. The club's leading striker has been training separately from his teammates, who helped the club secure a Champions League spot last season.

Liverpool have already had a bid turned down by Newcastle this summer. Initially, Newcastle stated that the forward was not available for sale and it's not anticipated that the Reds will make another offer unless they're encouraged to do so.

However, Isak isn't ready to give up on a transfer and has declared he won't play for Newcastle again, no matter how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks. This stance could lead to the 25-year-old being penalised.

Despite the ongoing standoff, the former Real Sociedad star continues to receive his weekly wages of £140,000. No fine has been imposed yet, despite his declaration that he won't play for the club.

Alexander Isak is trying to force a transfer. (Image: Getty)

According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle's position will change once Isak misses a competitive match, at which point disciplinary action will be taken. The Magpies are set to kick off their Premier League campaign with a trip to Aston Villa.

Isak's position is said to be steadfast, with concerns that any softening of his stance would only give Newcastle hope of a resolution and scupper any chance of a transfer.

Despite edging closer to signing Yoane Wisse, the St James' Park outfit have yet to find an adequate replacement for their main striker.

Howe has admitted that the current predicament has thrown a spanner in his squad's pre-season preparations. "I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season," he confessed.

"There was nothing I could do to affect that - it was always going to be there. When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it's difficult for the players to fully understand it and to know what's going on and how to react.

"But, as time has gone on, there has been an acceptance that this is the squad and we have got to make the best of the situation. That's always been my train of thought.

"Whatever situation you're in, you have got to find a way and you can only control what you can control. We have moved forward and I've got to say the atmosphere of the group has been very good in the last couple of weeks."

- Alex Turk

SOLANKE BRACE LIFTS BOURNEMOUTH OUT OF RELEGATION ZONE WITH 2-0 WIN OVER NEWCASTLE

BOURNEMOUTH, England (AP) — Eddie Howe’s return to Bournemouth turned into a nightmare after Dominic Solanke’s brace condemned Newcastle to a 2-0 defeat in the Premier League on Saturday.

Magpies boss Howe, who was the Cherries manager the last time they beat Newcastle in 2017, saw his side’s seven-match unbeaten league run end and its injury crisis deepen.

Newcastle was already missing 11 players through injury and suspension. It then lost Miguel Almiron to what looked like another hamstring problem midway through the first half.

EPL: GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM AIPA NEWCASTE USHINDI

Liverpool wamechapwa 2-0 na Newcastle wakati wako kwenye form nzuri...Kwanza liveerpool walianza kwa kujifunga halafu Georginio Wijnaldum akapiga juu ya kipa mwishoni kabisa na pupata bao safi...Newcastle wamepata ushindi wa 3 msimu huu na kuwapita Sunderland kwenye msimamo wa ligi...Kuna wakati mwamuzi alifanya kosa kumkatalia Alberto Moreno alipopata volley safi...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.