Newcastle must re-group after Sunderland defeat

Pardew’s side lost a third successive derby against Sunderland.

Adam Johnson’s 90th-minute strike gave Gus Poyet’s team a 1-0 win.

The defeat followed heavy North London losses to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and Capital One Cup respectively.

Newcastle are ninth in the league ahead of their Boxing Day visit to Old Trafford, the scene of a 1-0 win almost a year ago.

However, Manchester United are a different proposition this season under Louis van Gaal.

And Pardew’s players must pick themselves up – and quickly.

“(Sunderland) was a key game, because the two fixtures that we had, Arsenal and Spurs, were difficult,” said Pardew.

“This game now compounds that, and we have to lick our wounds and prepare quickly for Manchester United.

“We have a tough run of games, and we knew that over this period.

“This was always going to be a critical fixture, so losing it is very disappointing.”