WEAR NOT VERY GOOD

Despite suffering double derby pain, Gordon claims Newcastle shouldn't be losing to 'poor' Sunderland team.

- REBECCA JOHNSON

ANTHONY GORDON suggested Sunderland are “not a very good team" compared to Newcastle after suffering a Tyne-Wear derby defeat.

Four days after exiting the Champions League with a 7-2 loss in Barcelona, the Magpies were beaten 2-1 by their bitter rivals at St James’ Park.

Gordon sent the hosts in front after capitalising on a mistake from a Sunderland goal-kick, but Chemsdine Talbi levelled after the break and Brian Brobbey scored a 90th-minute winner.

Defeat was Newcastle's second to the Black Cats this season after being beaten 1-0 in December and Gordon admitted they struggled in the second half.

He said: “Not good enough really, no excuses. We were good for 45 minutes, which has been the case too often this season - we actually knew going into the game and had been trying to work on it.

“It was not a good enough start to the second half and they were the better team in the second half.”