The Tyne and Wear Derby

Three sensational Sunderland goals blew Newcastle United apart in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday. It was Newcastle’s third loss in their last four Premier League games, and this one injected real concerns about the safety of the club, with the relegation zone closing in on the team that ironically finished fifth in the league last season.

New boss Paolo Di Canio gave his critics something to think about by orchestrating a superb Sunderland performance that swept aside their bitter rivals.

 

The game began with possession equally shared between the sides. Both teams needed the points desperately, and that was shown with both teams fighting for that first goal. Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse was his usual lively self, with his movement providing real problems for the Sunderland defense. But last week’s performance versus Chelsea proved that the Black Cats’ defense under their new manager was a force to be reckoned with, and they responded with real defensive solidity.

Benin forward Stephane Sessegnon also managed to cause some problems down the other end, his pace and dribbling really testing the Newcastle back four.

You could’t really have said who would score first, with chances falling to both teams, but Sunderland struck in the 27th minute with Sessegnon losing the Newcastle defenders to fire home a lovely near-post finish from the edge of the box. A superb goal.

It wouldn’t be fair to say that Newcastle had been poor. They continued to attack with as much skill and intent as before, and shortly after the first goal they managed to test Simon Mignolet three times in the space of four minutes. Cisse had two attempts on goal, and Yoan Gouffran tested the Belgian keeper with a good header also. Newcastle had the persistence, but they were still requiring that cutting edge in front of goal. They had time though.

Sunderland seemed to notice the threat from Newcastle, and became aware that one goal might not be enough, which resulted in Danny Graham almost bagging Sunderland’s second.

Sunderland were proving a real threat on the counter, and Carlos Cuellar very nearly made it two with a header from a Sebastian Larsson corner which Krul reacted well to in order to make the save.

One might’ve thought that Newcastle were surely going to equalize, when on the stroke of half time the ball became loose in Sunderland’s penalty area, but Mignolet sorted the danger out with some fine reactions.

The half-time whistle blew, but you would have to say that Newcastle had not been poor by any means. Sunderland had just been fantastic, offensively and defensively.

Shola Ameobi was the man coming on at half-time. Yoan Gouffran was coming off, for reasons unknown, as he provided a potent threat going forward in the first 45 minutes. Another injury perhaps?

Newcastle started the second half as they finished the first: attacking. Crosses came in from both sides, but Sunderland dealt with them very well indeed. They looked a new team under Di Canio.

More problems came for Newcastle, as Tim Krul had to come off with an injury, and Rob Elliot was his replacement.

A controversial moment was when Cisse seemed to have scored, but the linesman’s flag was up. It didn’t count, but replays showed that it should’ve done. The Newcastle fans were furious.

You felt the goal was coming for Newcastle, but they just couldn't find it. Mignolet was dealing with everything they could throw at him. Even substitute Hatem Ben Arfa couldn’t make a difference.

But just when you thought that the equalizer was coming, Sunderland conjured up another piece of magic in the 74th minute: a twenty yard thunderbolt from Adam Johnson. Poor Newcastle defending, but nothing could be taken away from Johnson; his technique was exquisite. 2-0. Newcastle had work to do, and it needed to be done quickly.

Frustration was becoming a factor for Newcastle, and that was proven when Gutierrez’s goalbound effort struck Cisse and was deflected wide.

It wasn’t to be Newcastle’s day. David Vaughn found himself in space on the edge of the box. With a fantastic effort, his swerving shot found the far post and had Rob Elliot well beaten. Game over for Newcastle.

All Newcastle’s efforts afterwards were in vain. All urgency and desire was lost, and the final whistle came along shortly. Alan Pardew looked defeated, and that controversial offside against Cisse, I’m sure, will be a hot topic for debate.

Di Canio won’t care though. His celebrations showed the passion and enthusiasm he’s injected into his new club.

 

Leander Winden (@leanderWinden)