Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has apologised to Sunderland fans after the team's shocking performance in losing the Tyne-Wear derby 5-1 to Newcastle.

GettyImagesSteve Bruce can't bear to watch his side's implosion at Newcastle.

• Sunderland blog: We were thrashed

Quinn did not shirk any responsibility for the defeat and claimed that the board, staff and players had to accept responsibility for the poor display.

"It is entirely appropriate that we apologise to our fans. Whilst acknowledging the hurt that this defeat has caused, I would like to emphasise that everyone at this club will face the music together," he said.

The result was Sunderland's worst defeat in a derby for 54 years and Quinn admitted that the club had a lot to do to make amends for the embarrassing defeat to their local rivals - starting with an improved display against Stoke on Saturday.

"While everybody here is suffering, the players' hurt must be galvanised into a big performance on Saturday. I'm not asking anyone to have sympathy for us but we are confident that the solution will be found within the walls of our dressing room," he added.

''Last night, the owner and myself sat and reflected on the day's events and we are as defiant as ever that this club is going to make progress. We may have to spend a long time apologising but this entire football club knows that it owes its people right now and, for me, that is the priority."

Sunderland striker Darren Bent, who scored the Wearsiders' consolation in the thrashing, has also apologised for the team's poor showing.

"We are all sorry about Sunday's result, which was a bad one for everyone concerned," Bent told the club's official website. "It's important someone came out and apologise to the fans, who are the people who pay money to watch the games.

"We let a lot of people down. We know the fans are hurting and, believe me, the manager and the players are hurting as badly as you are."