They were second best, all over the pitch.

Last updated : 22 September 2002 By NUFC MAD
Despite clearly remaining tired from their midweek trip to the Ukraine NUFC ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at St James Park, and could easily have had double that.

"We were poor - second best all over the pitch," Reid said after watching his side crash to second bottom in the Premier League table.

"It was a derby game. You ask for desire to win tackles and try and create things. It disappointed me we never got any of those things.

"I like footballers and always try to protect my players, but I can't protect them after that.

"It was such a big game for our supporters and we let everyone down - it was sad. "We've lost the last three games and we've looked really weak. I've just told the players we're too easy to roll over.

"Alan Shearer won the first tackle of the game and it went on like that. Newcastle have been to Kiev and were supposed to be tired - but there was only one team tired out there and it wasn't them."