TINO

I was waving Tino's catnip toy around to get this shot.

I went to the match today. Newcastle United were shocking. My favourite player Jonás Gutiérrez played badly. Sunderland's first goal was his fault. Newcastle had a perfectly legitimate goal ruled offside. They lost 3 - 0. A lot of fans left the ground as Sunderland's third goal went in even though there were a few mins left to play.

Bill Shankly ( old Liverpool manager ) famously said "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." To Newcastle fans the derby matches against Sunderland are the most important ones of the season --- we must beat them. So to lose 3 - o at home was devastating.

Saying that there is absolutely no excuse for the moronic, violent behaviour of some so called fans after the match..... 27 arrests, 3 policemen hurt, missiles thrown, fires started in bins etc. I managed to keep well away from the violent scenes and got home safely. It was terrible to see the footage on the national news - not a good advert for the city of Newcastle. A few idiots spoiling it for the rest.