Newcastle United's season hit rock bottom as Sunderland completed a league double over their bitter rivals for the first time since 2014-15. The Black Cats' 2-1 victory at St James' Park came just days after Newcastle's 7-1 Champions League humiliation by Barcelona, leaving manager Eddie Howe's side in freefall.

Newcastle have now dropped 22 points from winning positions this season - more than any Premier League team. Club legend Alan Shearer called their second-half performance 'pathetic' on social media, while former England defender Jamie Carragher noted it was 'ten years since they've played at St James' Park in the Premier League.' Sunderland's triumph represents a remarkable turnaround for a club that was in League One as recently as 2021-22.

Howe faces mounting pressure as Newcastle sit 12th with 42 points, four adrift of potential Conference League qualification. The Magpies' £124m summer signings have largely failed to deliver, with Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa not even featuring against Barcelona. Defensive frailties have been exposed with 45 goals conceded in all competitions this year. While Newcastle reached the Champions League last 16 and Carabao Cup semi-finals, their league form has been abysmal - suffering 13 defeats in what's been described as a 'rollercoaster campaign.'