Tired excuse for Toon’s derby flop

Alan Pardew blamed fatigue for Newcastle’s derby defeat at home to Sunderland yesterday.

Newcastle, who were in Europa League action on Thursday night, are still not safe from relegation after they were beaten 3-0 by their local rivals.

“It was a tough day, really,” said the Newcastle boss. “They looked like a team who had worked all week on us and we looked like a team who had had a really tough game on Thursday night.

“We looked a little bit tired in our minds and fitness and in our application to the game — and we were always struggling in that game.”

It was Sunderland manager Paolo di Canio’s first win since his appointment at the end of last month and he said: “It’s a fantastic moment.”