We all knew what this game meant, insists

EDDIE

- By LEE RYDER

Howe insisted that he and his Newcastle players understood the enormity of the Tyne-Wear derby despite a spluttering lastminute defeat.For the second time this season, Newcastle were outfought by a Sunderland team who looked like they grasped the meaning of the occasion a lot better than those in black and white.

The truth is, Newcastle's second-half performance did not merit a victory, but to lose the lead in such meek fashion was unforgivable and once again this Toon team don't seem to have much about them when it comes to game management.

There has to be a time in a game that isn't going your way that you accept a point is a decent result. But again Newcastle conceded in the last minute. Was it acceptable?