West Ham striker Michail Antonio was in complete shock when he saw what Sunderland had done before facing Newcastle last Saturday.
Photos emerged in the run up to the game of a bar in the stadium that had been redecorated with Newcastle chants on signs and Sunderland photos covered which didn’t go down too well with their fans.
Speaking with Callum Wilson on The Footballer’s Podcast, Antonio couldn’t understand how Sunderland had allowed this to happen for their first derby game in eight years.
Antonio says Sunderland were ‘crazy’ to redecorate for Newcastle
Sadly for Newcastle fans the decorations were taken down before their arrival followed by an apology by Sunderland’s chairman, but the travelling supporters had enjoyed their day out nonetheless.
It had set the mood perfectly for Newcastle in the build up to the game with Sunderland already irritated by their own club and focusing on something else other than getting a result on Saturday.
Other pundits have already spoken up about how shocking it was to see a club roll out the red carpet for their biggest rivals, and the West Ham forward was no different.
Antonio couldn’t believe what he was seeing when the news broke, adding that Sunderland were ‘crazy’ to allow it to happen in the first place with the game being such a huge event for both them and Newcastle.
On the podcast, Wilson: “I’d actually be intrigued to know whose idea it was to do that. What’s the theory behind it? Are you trying to make them feel comfortable so not starting trouble.”
Antonio added: “It’s crazy. What is it, seven or eight years since you have lost played and they made you that comfortable!”
Newcastle absolutely dominated Sunderland
It was not just a day but a week to forget for Sunderland fans who will feel like absolutely everything went wrong for them at the very worst time.
Newcastle, however, recorded a much needed victory and they did so in traditional fashion with their high-pressing football making a return after a disappointing month or so.
Eddie Howe will be hopeful that all that went on surrounding the derby will be a bring a big boost of confidence to his players who now face the treble-winners on Saturday at St James’ Park.
A string 2024 is certainly needed if Newcastle are to finish high up in the Premier League again and, with the Liverpool result aside, beating Sunderland is a great way to get started.
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