Newcastle were booed on arrival, bullied from first whistle and beaten up come the last - this was a pauper's performance summed up by £55m man's tepid display, writes CRAIG HOPE

Sunderland mocked Newcastle by posing for a triumphant group selfie - but it should have been Eddie Howe ’s team staring hard at their own reflection. Their attacking display was ugly enough to crack the glass.

It was two seasons ago that the Magpies crowed after a 3-0 FA Cup win by taking a picture in front of their travelling fans. There was nothing to capture for posterity this time, not after a derby in which they were booed on arrival, bullied from the first whistle and beaten up come the last . A dark room was needed, certainly, but not for developing photo-book memories.

To think, Newcastle’s backroom staff pinned a motivational ‘Get Into Them’ banner in the away dressing-room. The only thing they got into was a mess, especially in attack. Striker Nick Woltemade managed one effort on goal - and that was Sunderland’s winner when he diverted a header past Aaron Ramsdale 59 seconds into the second half.

There had been a case for replacing Newcastle’s entire front three at the break. Howe’s game-plan of sitting deep in a 4-5-1 formation, at least out of possession, and then springing forward on the break had worked, to a point. That point being the moment Anthony Gordon , Anthony Elanga and Woltemade had to execute their final pass, cross or shot.

By half-time, their numbers were damning. Five of Elanga’s 15 passes had found a red-and-white shirt. Gordon and Woltemade had surrendered the ball four times each. In Woltemade’s case, he completed one pass from five attempted. The trio survived the interval but not the hour. By then, Gordon and Elanga were off and Woltemade might have wished to follow after his own-goal ignominy.

Elanga’s selection was a surprise but his performance was not - this was a 23rd game without a goal since his £55million arrival from Nottingham Forest . Many fans would say he is yet to show at all. There has been just one assist in that time.

Newcastle's attackers endured a day to forget as they limped to defeat versus Sunderland

Neither Sandro Tonali (foreground) or Anthony Elanga covered themselves in glory in the tie

Elanga’s confidence looked to have evaporated after one failed cross early in the second half, until you realised his belief was never really there in the first place. When Howe replaced him with Jacob Murphy in the 59th minute it felt like an act of mercy, but also the admission of an experiment gone wrong. In theory, Elanga had the road to exploit. In practice, he was programmed for blind alleys.

Sandro Tonali, Newcastle’s gladiatorial midfielder, was the third player hooked, having left his sword and shield at home. The idea of the Italian being sacrificed would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago, but his form has nosedived of late. He, like Elanga and Gordon, could have no complaints.

There was a brief flicker of improvement, but that was brought on as much by Sunderland retreating and protecting their lead. The hosts then realised there was no need to be so cautious. There were just two Newcastle shots on target, and both of those were Bruno Guimaraes shovels scooped up without alarm by Robin Roefs. An XG of 0.26 was Newcastle’s worst of the season, and Sunderland’s return of 0.30 made for the lowest combined in a Premier League game since records began.

All it needed was a little bit of quality. A little bit of composure. A little bit of class. Newcastle, though, found nothing, despite fielding a £169m front three and replacing them with a £107m triumvirate - Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy and Yoane Wissa - from the bench.

In truth, this was a pauper’s performance and Newcastle’s attacking effort got exactly what it deserved - no goals, no points and, given the investment, no excuses.