Sunderland supporters played their part off the field

Sunderland’s victory over Newcastle United in the Wear-Tyne derby came in front of a raucous and hostile crowd at the Stadium of Light.

The first Premier League clash between the two sides in nine years was heavily anticipated and while the game perhaps didn’t live up to its billing, with a lack of goalmouth action at both ends, the Wearsiders won’t be complaining after coming away with a 1-0 win.

Nick Woltemade’s own goal a minute after the restart proved to be the difference between the two sides on a day filled with tension.

Newcastle players had been met with the usual boos and jeers when their bus turned up at the Stadium of Light, with dozens of Black Cats fans waiting at the entrance to give them abuse. And it didn’t stop there.

Sunderland fans in the South Stand set the tone for the afternoon when in the warm-ups, they cheered every miss from Newcastle players during their shooting drills.

Anthony Gordon, Anthony Elanga, Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley and Woltemade were among the players going through the motions and firing efforts at goalkeepers John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie. It proved to be foreboding as Newcastle’s end product, more so in the final pass than efforts on goal, let them down.

And then, instead of scoring at the right end, Woltemade bulleted a header off the bar and in but past Aaron Ramsdale, rather than Robin Roefs.

As the full time whistle drew closer, Sunderland fans began to chant: ‘Lock up your horses, there’s going to be hell,’ in a nod to the post-match events of Newcastle’s 2013 derby defeat at St James’ Park and then the full-time whistle went there were rapturous scenes all around the stadium.

There had, too, been a 20-man brawl on the pitch deep in injury time after Joe Willock’s foul on Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs with several players booked. That only added to the febrile atmosphere inside the stadium.

Granit Xhaka ended the game with a cut above his eye and the Black Cats then celebrated in front of their fans with a cheeky team picture, mocking what Newcastle had done two years ago after the FA Cup win.

In the league, however, it is Sunderland who are top dogs. That’s 10 Premier League games now without a defeat at the hands of their rivals.

The derby is back. Bring on the encounter at St James’ Park in March.