Fabricio Coloccini red card was unbelievable, says Darryl Janmaat

Newcastle United defender Darryl Janmaat says it was an "unbelievable" decision to send off captain Fabricio Coloccini during Sunday's 3-0 derby defeat to Sunderland.

Coloccini was shown a straight red card by referee Robert Madley shortly before half time for denying Steven Fletcher a clear goal scoring opportunity.

Adam Johnson converted the resulting penalty to put Sunderland ahead against the ten men before Billy Jones and Fletcher completed the scoring in the second half.

Newcastle had dominated possession before the Argentinian's dismissal and Janmaat believes the decision to award both a penalty and a red card was "crazy".

"I think we were by far the better team in the first half, and then we get a red card like this. It was unbelievable," said the 26-year-old Dutchman.

"I don't like to blame referees, but that was not a penalty. I think everybody saw it - and a red card is crazy in my opinion. It kills the game.

"I don't like excuses, but I think we had 70 per cent possession in the first half and were far better than them.

"In the second half, we lost the game with 10 men. It is disappointing because in the first half we played well."

Sunderland went above their rivals on goal difference after the victory, leaving Newcastle second bottom of the Premier League on six points.

Coloccini will now be suspended for Newcastle's next game at home to Stoke on Saturday.