Here’s the lowdown on Sunderland vs Newcastle United, with player ratings for all the Magpies.
A cagey first half saw both teams feel each other out, with Sunderland having the only big chance of the first 45. Nick Woltemade did have a shot for Newcastle, but it wasn’t much to get excited about.
The second half exploded into action very quickly, and Woltemade will want to forget all about it as the Magpies striker headed into his own net after a wicked delivery from the right.
By the hour mark, nothing had changed for the Magpies and Eddie Howe decided to ring the changes with a triple substitution. Those changes did lift Newcastle, somewhat, but it still wasn’t enough.
In the end, it’s Sunderland who take the three points and the bragging rights, with Newcastle’s mentality failing to live up to the occasion.
Newcastle United player ratings
Aaron Ramsdale – 6
Barely tested in the first half. Couldn’t do anything about the own goal. Didn’t really do anything wrong aside from that moment.
Tino Livramento – 5
Put in a couple of good deliveries. However, the £100m price tag on Tino Livramento looked a little bloated after his slightly overawed display, with most of Sunderland’s dangerous play coming down his side.
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Malick Thiaw – 5
Handled the Sunderland attack fairly well with a strong showing in the first 45. Should have given Woltemade a call when the ball came into the box ahead of him, which would have prevented the own goal.
Dan Burn – 6
Forced off just before half-time after a heavy collision with Nordi Mukiele. Didn’t really put a foot wrong prior to that, but also didn’t set the world alight. A real shame to see him leave the pitch early.
Lewis Hall – 6
Could he have closed down Mukiele to prevent that whipped cross that led to the Sunderland goal? Maybe. But apart from that, he did manage to contain the Black Cats down that side.
- READ MORE: What Newcastle United staff did in the away dressing room before Sunderland game is brilliant
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Was this just unlucky or could Nick Woltemade have done anything differently?
Lewis Miley – 6
The good thing is Miley didn’t look overwhelmed by the occasion, but he, like the rest of the Newcastle players, couldn’t really get a hold of the game.
Bruno Guimaraes – 7
Put in some tasty tackles in the middle of the park to get the crowd excited. Also played some nice through balls at times, but it seemed his teammates weren’t on the same wavelength.
Sandro Tonali – 6
Some tidy play in the middle but very little in the way of meaningful, incisive passing. Clearly, Tonali is still lacking sharpness, though, and he was brought off after an hour.
Anthony Elanga – 3
It was an odd choice for Eddie Howe to throw Elanga into the starting line-up and his performance did nothing to justify that decision. Made no impact up top and even got turned inside out a couple of times while defending.
Nick Woltemade – 4
We’ll not beat him up about it, but that header into his own net was rather inexplicable. He probably didn’t get a shout from Malick Thiaw behind him, but the header itself was always asking for trouble. Looked incredibly isolated up top.
Anthony Gordon – 5
Fairly anonymous in the first half. Showed some promise in the second with a couple of quick, neat passes and one darting run, before being brought off with half an hour to go.
Substitutes
Fabian Schar – 6
Replaced the injured Dan Burn late in the first-half. Was perhaps a little lucky not to give away a penalty after holding on to Dan Ballard at one point. Unleashed a ferocious shot but to no avail.
Harvey Barnes – 7
Looked really bright when he came on and ended up being Newcastle’s main source of inspiration and energy, but wasn’t able to make the difference.
Jacob Murphy – 5
Nowhere near as impactful as his fellow substitute Harvey Barnes. Struggled to get with the pace and flow of the game.
Joe Willock – 6
Offered some nice link-up play in the middle. But, like the other midfielders, was unable to win the battle in that area against the more physical and combative Sunderland players.
Yoane Wissa – 5
On for Woltemade. Struggled to get into the game really, but that’s more a signal of Newcastle’s lack of cohesion than anything else.
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