Newcastle lost the derby 1-0 but this was a painful defeat in more ways than one

Newcastle United were forced into an instant inquest at the Stadium of Light after a meek surrender on Wearside.

The game ended in a 20-man bust-up after Joe Willock’s challenge on the goalkeeper came when the game had already drifted away from Newcastle. If only they’d displayed such fighting spirit in the first moments of the game rather than the 94th minute.

But if the sound of the final whistle was haunting enough to Geordie ears, the Black Cats served up revenge for the FA Cup defeat in 2024.

Back then, Jason Tindall had herded the Newcastle players towards the Toon Army to pose for a team picture. And that was not forgotten as moments after the final whistle, Sunderland staff ordered the Black Cats over to the home fans to serve up a cold dessert after the 1-0 win.

Eddie Howe had tried to get tough when hauling off £222million worth of talent off to try to perform a rescue act. Unfortunately, that did not arrive for the Magpies, who managed just two shots on target.

The first challenge of the day inevitably resulted in a foul as Bertrand Traore took down Lewis Hall but the subsequent free-kick was dealt with by Sunderland. Newcastle struggled to win possession in the early stages but got a glimpse of goal in eight minutes. Nick Woltemade tried to play in Anthony Elanga, but the Sweden star did not read the pass and the Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs.

Two minutes later, Woltemade glided forward with the ball, but despite Anthony Gordon screaming for it on the left, the German hesitated and Sunderland won the ball back. Gordon was furious with Woltemade for a clear lack of urgency.

Traore pinged in a cross from the right on 14 minutes, forcing Malick Thiaw to hook clear on 14 minutes before United cleared their lines from the corner. The home side then threatened from a long throw as Nordi Mukiele hurled the ball at goal with Omar Alderete’s effort flying wide of the target.

With 25 minutes gone, Tino Livramento finally galloped into some space down the right and managed to force a corner. However, the set-piece was poor, and Sunderland regained possession again.

But Newcastle continued to show signs of nerves on the day, with Malick Thiaw tussling with Dan Ballard in the box, causing the Black Cats to protest for a penalty, and then moments later, just before the half-hour mark, Granit Xhaka firing narrowly wide from 25 yards.

Sunderland fans seemed content with how the game was going as the game crept past that half-hour stage as home fans chanted: “Six in a row” in reference to their outstanding run of form in the previous decade.

The first yellow card was flashed in the face of Mukiele as he ploughed into Dan Burn studs first in a 50-50 challenge. The Blyth lad needed lengthy treatment with Newcastle’s only replacement defenders Fabian Schar and youngster Alex Murphy sent to warm up.

With four first-half minutes left, Burn was taken off after the hefty blow to his ribs, with Schar replacing him. Ballard sent over a header from Xhaka’s left-sided cross, but he could not hit the target.

Sunderland edged the first half with 58% possession, but neither side created a chance worth writing home about. But the roof came off at the Stadium of Light just 63 seconds into the second half.

The goal came from Newcastle’s inability to cope with a long throw from Mukiele after Woltemade initially nodded clear. But a weak-headed clearance from Gordon allowed Sunderland to regain possession with Mukiele’s cross, then inadvertently headed past his own keeper.

As tempers flared, Tonali left his foot in on Brian Brobbey and was booked for his trouble. It would be Tonali’s last desperate act of a clash he’d failed to hit the heights in.

Tonali was hauled off along with Gordon, much to the delight of home fans, and Elanga, who’d barely created any danger. Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock, and Harvey Barnes were sent on to repair the damage.

Newcastle’s first shot on target arrived with 62 minutes when Bruno Guimaraes, who tried an effort from range, warmed the hands of Roefs. Bruno would try his luck again when forcing Roefs into another save and the Black Cats keeper looked comfortable.

With 68 minutes gone, Schar’s effort struck Alderete and went for a corner, but Sunderland dealt with it. The Black Cats made a double change when Trai Hume came on for Traore, while Wilson Isidor replaced Brobbey.

Ramsdale was then called into action with 17 minutes left after substitute Isidor struck venomously for what was actually the home side’s first shot on target, summing up the game’s lack of quality.

Woltemade was afforded a standing ovation by Sunderland fans as his number came up with 15 minutes to go when he was replaced by Yoane Wissa. Wissa had a sight of goal with 11 minutes to go after Murphy’s cross but he could not connect as his lack of sharpness was perhaps there for all to see.

Romaine Mundle replaced Chemsdine Talbi with eight minutes to go.

United won a corner in the 93rd minute but Sunderland once again cleared their lines. A challenge on the goalkeeper from Willock sparked a late dust-up between the two rivals.

But Newcastle had waited until the 94th minute to show some needle with Sunderland having the Magpies exactly where they wanted them.

Referee: Peter Bankes (Lancashire)

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