STADIUM OF BLIGHT

Howe says sorry after horror Toon display in derby

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EDDIE HOWE assumed "full accountability" for Newcastle's horrendous derby defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The manager said sorry TWICE and admitted his players had not carried out what he asked them to do after Nick Woltemade's own goal proved decisive on Wearside.

A "get into them" sign had been pinned on the wall in the away dressing room but Newcastle barely laid a glove on the Black Cats.

"We have lots of signs and messages we try to get through and that is one of them," said Howe. "It was not the finest delivery of what we want to be. I take full accountability.

"I am not hiding from it. I am just desperately disappointed for our supporters."

Only in the dying stages, when Newcastle players were involved in a bust-up with Sunderland's stars, did the Magpies show any sign of fight.

Howe added: "That is going to sting for a long time. We know that our performance was far from what we needed it to be.