Terrible Toon have Shearer scurrying behind the sofa

IT was a Freudian slip of epic proportions, one which perhaps revealed Alan Shearer wished he was back on the Match of the Day sofa, rather than watching a Newcastle performance best viewed from behind one.

“When Newcastle...,” he said, still firmly in pundit mode as he began his post-match inquest. “I mean when we’ve conceded a goal, we’ve quickly gone on to concede another.”

There was no Alan Hansen or Mark Lawrenson for pally company in front of the cameras this time, no Gary Lineker directing full-toss questions his way. Just Alan Shearer, facing the music, on his own. No sofa. So far, so bad, actually.