Alan Shearer blasts "pathetic" Newcastle United after Manchester City thrashing

Alan Shearer has described Newcastle United's performance against Manchester City in the Premier League as "pathetic".

The Magpies were beaten 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium last night, falling behind early on after conceding a penalty inside the first minute.

The club's record goalscorer told BBC Sport: "They were pathetic. It was embarrassing, from the first minute to the last.

"I can just imagine the Newcastle team talk before the game, 'right lads, this team have got Barcelona on Tuesday, let's just keep it tight for the first 10 or 15 minutes. Let's get in among them, put one or two tackles in and see if they fancy it.'

"It was just far, far too easy for City. These are top players. You cannot give them time on the ball like that. City showed so much hunger to get the ball back, even when they're 3-0 up. I never saw that once from Newcastle. It was pathetic."

The result leaves Newcastle 11th in the table.