NICK WOLTEMADE thanked the Toon Army for their support after his derby nightmare.
Newcastle’s club-record £65m star became the most-expensive player to score for Sunderland as his own goal ensured bragging rights went to Wearside.
The Mags produced a dreadful display in the 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light on Sunday as they fell four points behind their rivals.
Woltemade, who only touched the ball 12 times and completed two passes, received an ironic standing ovation from Sunderland supporters when he was replaced by Yoane Wissa on 74 minutes.
The giant German faced more stick when video footage showed him receiving more stick from home fans as a security guard accompanied him out of the ground and onto the team bus.
Devastated Woltemade failed to address the media post-game, but he did front up to the Toon Army via social media as he thanked them for their support.
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He wrote: “Derby day hits different, This one hurt a lot. Thanks for all the positive messages Geordies.”
It was a miserable day all-round from Newcastle – whose skipper Bruno Guimaraes called their performance “embarrassing” and a “mess” – with defender Dan Burn suffering a fractured rib.
The Geordie star was forced off after Sunderland’s Nordi Mukiele’s knee caught him in a sliding challenge.
England international Burn was taken by ambulance to hospital after Fabian Schar replaced him due to breathing difficulties where the extent of the damage was revealed.
He now looks set to miss the hectic festive period to leave boss Eddie Howe with a huge defensive headache ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final at home to Fulham.
Fellow centre-half Sven Botman, who has a back issue, and Jamaal Lascelles are still out.
That leaves Howe with only Schar and Malick Thiaw as centre-backs with inexperienced Alex Murphy, 21, as backup.
However, those are just two of FOUR fit senior defenders he has at his disposal.
Full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall look set to continue against the Cottagers.
Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth are also still sidelined with no experienced cover.
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