'Questions asked' - Alan Shearer unloads X-rated rant on Eddie Howe and Newcastle

Alan Shearer has blamed Eddie Howe for "getting it wrong" after Newcastle United crumbled against Sunderland. In a passionate post-match rant, the Toon icon also tore into the club's recruitment while refusing to accept fatigue as an excuse. Newcastle surrendered to their bitter rivals despite taking the lead on 10 minutes. Brian Brobbey's stoppage-time winner sank black-and-white hearts to extend Sunderland's unbeaten Premier League run in the Tyne-Wear derby to 11 games. An international break - with no fixture until April 12 - promises a long and painful aftermath. The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel. Shearer dismissed the idea of Newcastle players being tired following the defeat to Barcelona. Like every Toon fan, the former striker was angry at the limp second-half performance. "No, I'm not accepting that," Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast. "I'm not accepting that the midweek caught up with them. Not in a derby game. I don't buy that. You can't be tired - it's not an excuse. They got battered in the second half against Barcelona. I get that, I understand that. "Newcastle were the better team in the first half. Sunderland struggled to cope with the intensity. It was madness the way Sunderland gifted Newcastle the first goal. I was getting worried because I said at half-time that Sunderland can't be as bad in the second half. Newcastle should have scored another and I was always fearful that they would come back and increase the intensity. "They did that right from the first minute (of the second half). Newcastle couldn't cope with it. I'm saying, 'Come on, just put your foot on the ball'. I was so annoyed and angry. Sunderland were the better team and punished us." Comparing the two clubs' summer signings, Shearer added: "Brian Brobbey, he was probably the best player for Sunderland, £17million from Ajax. You compare that to Newcastle's recruitment in the summer and what they paid on forward. There lies the problem." Subscribe to our Newcastle United newsletter for all the news straight to your inbox He also believes questions will now be asked - and Howe must be prepared for a rough fortnight as manager. Shearer said: "Sunderland wanted it more than Newcastle in the second half and that is pretty damning, especially with the way they played in the game at the Stadium of Light. Eddie got it all wrong and he couldn't lift his players in the second half. That is really worrying and disappointing. Well done Sunderland, they deserved to win as much as it pains me to say that. "Questions will be asked. It's going to be a long two weeks for Newcastle in this international break. People will be hurt. People will be angry. There will be so much s--- thrown at Eddie and Newcastle now. He has to understand that, as do the people running the club. Well done Sunderland. Enjoy your season. You deserved to beat us on both occasions but it is really s--- from a Newcastle point of view."