The Reds were admittedly second best for much of the contest, settled by Antony Gordon's far-post tap-in the second half.
After the game, the boss faced journalists' questions in the media suite at St James' Park and this is what he had to say on a bitterly cold, and bitterly disappointing, night in the north-east...
The team haven’t won against a top-eight team away from home for more than two years, why is that?
“So, I was waiting for that question. So we are always [having] issues. I know it’s your job to see that.