Regis Le Bris has another feather in his cap after Sunderland frustrated Newcastle United to win the first Wear-Tyne Derby in the Premier League for almost a decade on Sunday in front of a brilliant Stadium of Light.
MORE — Le Bris, Howe reaction
A Nick Woltemade own goal was the only marker of a grimy, foul-heavy affair that included just 0.54 expected goals and three shots on target.
Sunderland were fortunate to avoid a first-half red card to Brian Brobbey in a game that finished with several shoving matches and a total of nine yellow cards.
WATCH — Sunderland v Newcastle full match replay
Sunderland move seventh on 26 points, behind Crystal Palace and Liverpool on tiebreakers.
Newcastle stay 12th with 22 points, behind Spurs on goal differential.
Regis Le Bris grows his reputation
Can you find a game this season where Sunderland showed up without a plan well-suited to give them their best shot as a positive result? Regis Le Bris is showing himself to be a brilliant tactician and man manager, and he’s often shrugged off big moments in service to a process and bigger goals. So it screams as loud as the Stadium of Light that he celebrated wildly with his staff after this one. Sunderland knew that Newcastle was returning from Germany with weary legs off another disappointing day away from home. They didn’t allow the Magpies time on the ball in the first half and then defended with valor and desperation once the own goal put them ahead of their rivals. Sunderland might be a bottom-third team in terms of squad depth and talent — and boy are they about to suffer during the African Cup — but they’re top-six in terms of boss and bravardo. Nordi Mukiele’s embrace of the crowd and the occasion showed just what this game means to his team.
Dull Magpies fail to grasp the occasion as away woes worsen
Second balls told the story of this game, especially late as Sunderland devoured every chance to compete for the ball against a Newcastle side that looked sluggish from the opening kickoff and free of ideas in the midfield and final third. A team can show up with the mentality of superiors but it cannot show up uninspired, and the derby courage was with Sunderland for most of the game. Eddie Howe hailed his team’s effort but that misses the point. A team like Newcastle is supposed to assert dominance. That never happened aside from some spells of possession. But perhaps that makes sense for a team that has been average in the Premier League and relatively terrible away from home. It doesn’t matter that this away day was just 15 miles from St. James’ Park; Newcastle is now 2W-4D-5L as visitors this season, their lone wins coming at Union Saint-Gilloise and Everton with losses to three lower-half sides in West Ham, Brentford, and Sunderland. Sad.
What’s next?
Newcastle host Fulham in the League Cup on Wednesday before a 7:30am ET Saturday morning visit from Chelsea in the Premier League.
Sunderland are off to Brighton at 10am Saturday.
Sunderland vs Newcastle final score: 1-0
Nick Woltemade o.g. 47'
Sunderland player reaction — Dan Ballard and Granit Xhaka
Dan Ballard: “Words can’t describe. Thinking back to the last game it was so painful. We felt we let the fans down.”
On rebounding from the FA Cup loss last meeting: "It prepared us more for today. We came into the game with a lot more quality in the team, some real strong leaders. It wasn’t the prettiest game but we deserved the win.”
Granit Xhaka: “Derbies we’re here to win, it doesn’t matter how. These guys I know how painful it was last year. It motivated us much more than before. These guys were here in the Championship and now in the Premier League. This team deserves much more respect. We are working day-by-day very hard.”
Scrap in stoppage time
Robin Roefs is dropped by Joe Willock in accidental fashion but that kicks the whole thing off.
Fabian Schar, Nordi Mukiele, and others are angsty as there are gatherings in three separate parts of the pitch.
Isidor, Thiaw, and Guimaraes see yellow.
One more Sunderland sub
Eliezer Mayenda is into the game for Chemsdine Talbi.
83rd minute now.
That’s it for Woltemade
Yoane Wissa will get the last quarter-hour up top for the Magpies.
Sunderland subs
Black Cats now need to do something to break Newcastle’s hold of the proceeedings.
Trai Hume and Wilson Isidor enter for Bertrand Traore and Brian Brobbey in the 70th minute.
Final ball missing
Much better from Newcastle since the subs and the decisions and ideas have improved as well.
But the crosses are all within reach of Black Cats keeper Robin Roefs and through balls just a shade off the runs.
Triple sub for Newcastle
Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock, and Jacob Murphy replace Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Anthony Elanga in the 59th minute.
Black Cats ascendant
Newcastle have to get a hold on this game. The own goal was unfortunate but they are failing to find a path toward Sunderland’s third.
They’ve been chasing shadows for 8-10 minutes.
Nick Woltemade own goal — Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
Mukiele’s cross is not heading for any particular Black Cat but Woltemade thinks he has to clear it and instead heads it bar down behind Ramsdale.
Rough.
Suspected broken rib
Dan Burn’s injury is thought to be a broken rib, according to broadcast, after Newcastle’s medical team requested Sunderland’s medical team give a second opinion during halftime.
Halftime — Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
Cagey and cautious with more than a bit of bite.
Chances, however? Not many.
A total of four shots and 0.26 xG between the sides.
Aaron Ramsdale has been the more active keeper and may well be taking Nick Pope’s gig for the moment.
Brian Brobbey likely lucky to still be in the game after catching Lewis Hall with his studs but not catching the attention of a referee. He was already on yellow.
Burn exits
A long recovery sprint shows the Geordie back that he’s in too much pain for a derby tussle at center back.
Fabian Schar will take his place in the 42nd minute.
Dan Burn injury, Nordi Mukiele yellow
Long delay here as Dan Burn and Nordi Mukiele both slide to a loose ball.
Burn catches the ball and Mukiele’s knees catch the defender’s ribs.
It’s a yellow card and a painful one. Burn spent several minutes getting treatment and is going to try to continue beyond the 38th minute.
Black Cats buzzing
Sunderland have had control for much of the time since our last entry here, and the game’s gotten a bit more ornery, too.
A Black Cats foul in the 23rd minute gives Newcastle a chance to reset the tone.
Proper derby
Great vibe and good intensity. Both teams look ready with the ball and a notch more cautious in defense.
0-0 into the 13th minute.
Sunderland lineup
Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Traore, Talbi, Le Fee; Brobbey
Newcastle lineup
Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Miley, Guimaraes; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Sunderland team news, focus
OUT: Habib Diarra (groin), Luke O’Nien (suspension), Aji Alese (shoulder) | QUESTIONABLE: Reinildo (groin)
Newcastle team news, focus
OUT: Kieran Trippier (hamstring), William Osula (ankle), Harrison Ashby (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Emil Krafth (knee), Sven Botman (back), Nick Pope (knock), Joelinton (groin)
Sunderland vs Newcastle preview
The Black Cats were relegated following the 2015-16 season and required nearly a decade to get back to the top flight, a decline that meant just one derby with Northeast rivals Newcastle (The Magpies smashed Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup match on January 6, 2024).
That said, the Black Cats have stunned the Premier League this season and sit above their rivals heading into Sunday’s game. Part of that was helped by Newcastle’s slow start to the PL season and subsequent Champions League schedule congestion, but Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland are having perhaps the most impressive season of any PL team.
Sunderland have not lost a league derby to Newcastle in an eye-opening nine tries dating back to 2011, though obviously none of the current players have been a part of that history (6W-3D). Newcastle have 22 points and can leapfrog ninth-place Sunderland (23 points) with a win on Sunday, but this fixture is always about the victories rather than the points that accompany them.
Sunderland vs Newcastle prediction
Sunderland have not lost at home this season and the Stadium of Light has been a cauldron of excitement and noise as supporters are buzzing to be back in the Premier League. That won’t change Sunday as they look to build on a 4W-3D home league record. The Magpies are unbeaten in four league matches but three were at St. James’ Park as away form has been an issue. That said, this is a Newcastle team with more experience in pressure-packed games and more talent top-to-bottom. Anything can happen in derbies but... Sunderland 1-2 Newcastle United.
How to watch Sunderland vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday
Venue: Stadium of Light — Sunderland
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
