MAGPIES WERE SIMPLY TOO GOOD FOR US ADMITS BEAL

Isak brace helps to sink the Black Cats

- Chris Dunlavy

MICHAEL Beale admitted his Sunderland team had been outclassed as bitter rivals Newcastle dominated the first Tyne-Wear derby for eight years.

Eddie Howe's Magpies had won just once in eight games ahead of kick-off and a passionate home crowd arrived at the Stadium of Light harbouring tentative hopes of an upset.

But the Championship side proved no match for their Champions League opponents, who went ahead through Dan Ballard's own goal, pressed a youthful Sunderland side into countless mistakes, and added gloss to the scoreline courtesy of Alexander Isak's second-half brace.

"Let's be honest - there was a gap between the two teams before we kicked off," said Beale.

"We tried to bridge that gap, but in the end, their quality told.

They were super organized, aggressive in their press, and counter-attacked brilliantly.

"My young team must now be honest with themselves about what happened. Myself and the staff as well. We can't hide away from the fact that there is a gap.

"If we're honest and we use this as a learning experience then I'm super optimistic that this group can make big jumps between now and the end of the season.