Newcastle v Sunderland: Coalition of the calm look for antidote to poison of Tyne-Wear derby
Tyne-Wear derby has always carried threat of violence so it has been refreshing this week to see supporters from both sides of the divide to call for calm.
The Tyne-Wear derby is arguably the most intensely hostile and passionate derby in English football, but it is also in danger of becoming the most poisonous.
It has been in need of an antidote. Things have got out of hand. The rivalry between two cities 12 miles apart has turned into hatred, soured by violence and aggression that brings the constant threat of crowd trouble.
At the corresponding fixture in April last year, a match Sunderland won 3-0, there were 111 arrests and, infamously a police horse called Bud, was punched by a Newcastle United fan; a granddad in his 50s wearing his scarf over his face like highwayman robber.
It was an embarrassing image that went viral and global. It led to ridicule for the region, already been shamed by the antics of young men desperate to take out the frustration of their derby defeat on the crowing Sunderland fans being escorted by riot police through the city so they could board trains back to Wearside.
It was the culmination of years of growing tension. It is a battle for regional pride that had become a war. The Tyne-Wear derby has always carried the threat of violence, the ferocity of its tribalism will probably always ensure that remains, but it had become almost inevitable.
Therefore, for all of the pride the North East has in its headline sporting event, the passion it invokes and the history of conflict that fuels it, it has been refreshing this week to see supporters from both sides of the divide form a coalition of the calm.
Interestingly, the coalition was brought together in opposition to Northumbria Police, the force charged with trying to maintain law and order on a sporting occasion that can make the North East seem like the Wild West.
The policing of derby games is a stressful affair for those charged with keeping the peace and it is planned like a military opposition. The boys and girls in blue, fluorescent yellow and riot gear deserve some sympathy.
Some of them were injured in April and they should not be attacked with bottles or punches just because they are trying to keep the two sets of fans apart and prevent full scale conflict.
But when Northumbria Police demanded Sunderland fans attending the game were only allowed to travel to St James’ Park this weekend on special buses, rather than use public transport, so called “bubble restrictions” supporters from both clubs were dismayed.
It was, many claimed, an infringement of civil liberties born out of a desire to make things easier for the police and keep costs down.
Sunderland initially agreed, but they scrapped the scheme when they also fell out with the police over their refusal to agree to – as happens with police forces elsewhere in the country – to any derby games that kick off in the afternoon or early evening.
They were wholeheartedly supported by the Newcastle hierarchy, who were equally frustrated by the constant restrictions being placed on kick off times, and the loss of television income that it caused as both Sky and BT Sport are reluctant to always screen these matches as lunchtime kick-offs.
With the help of the Football Supporters Federation, Newcastle and Sunderland fans campaigned against the bubble restrictions and that spirit of reasonable cooperation continued ahead of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated clash.
In a joint statement, backed by prominent fanzines and supporter groups attached to both clubs, there has been call for the region to stage a derby they can be proud of again.
It read: “Two weeks ago fans’ groups and fanzines from Newcastle United and Sunderland launched a successful joint campaign to say “no” to bubble matches.
"Now both sets of fans are linking up to restore pride in the Tyne-Wear derby, championing a white-hot atmosphere and sporting rivalry while rejecting violence.
"Recent seasons have seen an unwelcome level of hatred and disorder around derby games.
"Genuine fans don't want the authorities to have any excuse to cut ticket allocations or restrict travel in future seasons, we just want a game to remember.
"We can keep the passion, but lose the poison. Let's make this a derby to be proud of."
Both clubs have welcomed the sentiments and while Sunderland fans will once again have to be escorted from Newcastle Central Station, up to St James’ Park, it can only be hoped the mindless minority, part-time hooligans and full-time thugs get the message.
Defeat in the derby is unthinkable for either club. Sunderland, who will undoubtedly enjoy reminding their neighbours of the forthcoming trip to Wembley for the Capital One Cup Final, are looking for their third successive victory over their old enemy, as well as a vital win to aid their survival push.
Newcastle United are already out of both cup competitions and have been losing ground in the race for Europe. Having lost their best player, Yohan Cabaye, to PSG this week, the ambition of the club is once again being questioned.
The last thing they need is to suffer another humiliating defeat at the hands of the club they love to beat more than any other.
There is more than just parochial pride at stake on Saturday, but for all of the animosity between these two grand clubs, some common sense and ground has also been discovered.
The result will matter as much as it has always done, but hopefully there will be no repeat of the violence and disorder that overshadowed this wonderful sporting rivalry the last time they clashed on Tyneside.
Premier League: Newcastle v Sunderland match preview
Sunderland head in to the second edition of this season’s Tyne-Wear derby having climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time since the second week of the season.
Adam Johnson’s sixth goal in as many games gave Gus Poyet’s men a priceless midweek victory over fellow strugglers Stoke, whilst Newcastle could only draw away at Norwich.
You sense that Saturday’s derby match begins a defining period of the season for The Magpies, if they are to continue their push for European football next season. In their next five fixtures, Newcastle host their biggest rivals before playing three of the league’s top six teams (Tottenham, Chelsea and Everton) as well as a trip to Hull.
Sunderland can take great confidence from memories of their 3-0 away win at Newcastle last year; three points that went a long way to securing survival for The Black Cats. A repeat of those derby-day heroics would arguably be even more important this time round, and would see Sunderland do the double over Newcastle for the first time since 1967.
KICK OFF: Saturday, 12.45pm.
PAST MEETINGS...
Sunderland 2 (Fletcher, Borini) Newcastle 1 (Debuchy), Premier League, 27 October, 2013.
Newcastle 0 Sunderland 3 (Sessegnon, Johnson, Vaughan), Premier League, 14 April 2013
Sunderland (Ba OG) 1 Newcastle 1 (Cabaye), Premier League, 21 October 2013.
Newcastle 1 (Sh Ameobi) Sunderland 1 (Bendtner), Premier League, 4 March, 2012.
STATS...
Newcastle are without a win in their last four Tyne-Wear derbies; their longest winless run v Sunderland since 2002.
Sunderland are currently five games unbeaten away from home in the Premier League; only Manchester City and Tottenham can match this.
If the league table started the day Gus Poyet was appointed, Sunderland would be 12th.
Premier League preview: Newcastle face Sunderland in 149th Tyne-Wear derby
Sunderland's continued fight against Premier League relegation takes them to bitter rivals Newcastle for the 149th Tyne-Wear derby on Saturday.
The Black Cats scrambled clear of the drop zone for the first time since August with their 1-0 win over 10-man Stoke in midweek and are now two points clear of the bottom three.
But with just six points between Cardiff in 20th and Swansea in 11th, Gus Poyet will be well aware that there is still significant work to be done over the final 15 games of the season.
Newcastle, meanwhile, go into the clash shorn of key man Yohan Cabaye, after the France international midfielder completed his move to Paris St-Germain this week.
The Magpies suffered a damaging 0-0 draw to Norwich in midweek, where striker Loic Remy saw red for his late off-the-ball spat with Bradley Johnson, with the club's subsequent appeal rejected.
Alan Pardew's side have lost four of their last six matches in all competitions and have also been beaten by their local rivals in the last two derby encounters.
Since defeating nine-man Stoke 5-1 on Boxing Day, Newcastle have found the net just once in their following five Premier League matches, while they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six top-flight games at St James' Park.
Paul Merson's prediction
This is a big game and the pressure will be on Newcastle to win, especially now Sunderland are out of the bottom three. If this had been played four weeks ago when they were adrift there would have been major pressure on Sunderland, but the reins are off for them now. The sale of Yohan Cabaye was a no-brainer because it's a lot of money for a 28-year-old. Newcastle will miss him, no question, but I still think they will have a bit too much for Sunderland.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-2
Newcastle
West Ham (a)0-3
Man City (h)0-2
West Brom (a)1-0
Arsenal (h)0-1
Newcastle new boy Luuk de Jong will go straight into the squad for Saturday's Tyne-Wear derby clash with Sunderland.
However, the 23-year-old loan signing, who has not started a game for parent club Borussia Monchengladbach all season, is likely to be named only among the substitutes despite leading scorer Remy's failure to have his red card at Norwich in midweek overturned on appeal.
Fellow frontmen Papiss Cisse (back) and Yoan Gouffran (muscle strain) remain major doubts, while skipper Fabricio Coloccini continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Sunderland
Stoke City (h)1-0
Kid'minster (h)1-0
Man Utd (a)2-1
Fulham (a)1-4
Man Utd (h)2-1
Sunderland will have two new faces in their squad for the trip to St James' Park after the arrivals of Liam Bridcutt and Ignacio Scocco prior to the January deadline.
Midfielder Bridcutt has moved to the Stadium of Light on a three-and-a-half-year deal from Brighton to link up again with former Seagulls boss Poyet.
One-cap Argentina international forward Scocco arrives from Internacional on a two-and-a-half-year contract and is set to be on the bench this weekend provided the formalities of his move can be completed in time.
Opta stats
Sunderland have not won three successive league games against Newcastle since 1923.
Adam Johnson has scored or assisted each of Sunderland's last seven Premier League goals.
Newcastle have the third best all-time Premier League points per game rate in February (1.71), Sunderland have the worst (0.63).
Mark Lawrenson's Premier League predictions with David Baddiel
Newcastle v Sunderland (Saturday 12:45 GMT)
The Newcastle team might feature a couple of new players this weekend - Luuk de Jong has joined on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach and they are chasing Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier too.
That would make it one out - Yohan Cabaye to Paris St-Germain - and two in, and they will probably balance the books at the end of it too.
It has worked for them in the past, although the majority of the players they signed in the 2013 January transfer window did not really make an impact until this season. Cabaye will be a loss but Newcastle can cope without him.
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has done a fantastic job, which began with a win over the Magpies in his first home game in charge in October.
But I just wonder if some of the tough games the Black Cats have had in midweek in the last few weeks - for example, both legs of the Capital One Cup semi-final - could catch up with them.
Sunderland enjoyed a great win over Stoke in midweek but they have had 24 hours fewer than Newcastle to prepare for this game, and playing on Wednesday night and again on Saturday lunchtime does not give them much of a turnaround.
Mark Lawrenson's prediction: 2-0
David Baddiel's prediction: 1-1
Stoke City to make £4 million bid for Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole
Stoke will make an offer for Lee Cattermole after Sunderland finally completed their protracted move for Brighton's Liam Bridcutt.
Mark Hughes is set to make a £4 million bid for Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole.
Hughes, the Stoke manager, will make an offer for Cattermole after Sunderland finally completed their protracted move for Brighton's Liam Bridcutt.
Sunderland completed a £2.75m deal for Bridcutt on Friday morning and his arrival will trigger Cattermole's likely departure.
Stoke have identified Cattermole as a crucial signing, with Hughes keen to recruit a defensive midfielder, and are hopeful of securing a deal before the deadline.
Hughes had been quoted £5m earlier in the transfer window but believes Sunderland will lower their asking price now they have signed Bridcutt.
---
Sunderland will not sell Lee Cattermole but Liam Bridcutt set to arrive
• Fellow strugglers Stoke City linked with Cattermole
• Brighton's Bridcutt expected to seal £2.5m move
Lee Cattermole will not be sold by Sunderland this month after all. Stoke City had been keen to sign the combative midfielder but, quite apart from very possibly needing Cattermole in the club's fight against relegation, Gus Poyet is unwilling to sell him to a rival near the bottom of the Premier League.
Even so Cattermole – variously described as "rotten" and "unprofessional" by Poyet's predecessor, Paolo Di Canio – now faces serious competition for his first-team place. Liam Bridcutt, the Brighton midfielder, was on the brink of completing a £2.5m move to Sunderland on Thursday after travelling to Wearside for a medical and is expected to assume the role of sitting in front of the back four and helping choreograph the brand of possession football the Uruguayan is gradually instilling at Sunderland.
The League Cup finalists have also completed the signing of Ignacio Scocco, the Argentina striker, for about £3m from Internacional of Brazil and loaned the midfielder Alfred N'Diaye to Spain's Real Betis. Meanwhile the defender Modibo Diakité is close to a return to Italy with Fiorentina after failing to establish himself in Poyet's plans.
---
Sunderland do not have to sell Lee Cattermole,' says Gus Poyet
SUNDERLAND manager Gus Poyet insists his club have not accepted Stoke City's offer for Lee Cattermole.
Stoke are keen to bring the midfielder to the Britannia Stadium before the transfer deadline passes at 11pm.
Their move appeared to have been greased when Sunderland signed another midfielder, Liam Bridcutt from Brighton and Hove Albion.
But Poyet says the Black Cats do not have to sell.
He said this lunchtime: "We were expecting not to do any business today except if there was an incredible opportunity either way, which always appears for different reasons.
"From the beginning of the morning, we started to deal with the Lee Cattermole situation. I am late because in the last few hours we have got to a really impressive point.
"The offer and the situation is not easy. Nothing is finalised. It is still ongoing.
"I don't know what will happen. There are too many things involved. There are many, many things. It is a difficult situation for me as a manager.
"In my mind I had a team, a squad, but at no time did i think I would be talking about Lee Cattermole today.
"It is simple. I would like to keep the group of people I have here."
Cattermole was at Sunderland's training ground this morning but did not train due to a calf injury picked up in an FA Cup win over Kidderminster Harriers last weekend.
Liam Bridcutt in squad for Sunderland-Newcastle Utd derby
GUS POYET insists he will have no hesitation in handing new Sunderland signing Liam Bridcutt a baptism of fire in tomorrow’s Tyne-Wear derby.
Bridcutt today completed his £2.5million move to the Stadium of Light after a month-long pursuit of the defensive midfielder, who worked under Poyet at Brighton.
The 24-year-old is in the squad to face Newcastle United at St James’s Park tomorrow and Black Cats boss Poyet is prepared to include the Scotland international in his starting XI, with Lee Cattermole ruled out through injury, regardless of whether he joins Stoke City or not.
Poyet said today: “Liam has one advantage compared with the rest of the squad, he knows us very well, knows how we play and understands the role perfectly.
“The only thing that can go against him is bad form.
“But if I go with Liam in the team, I’m very relaxed because I know what he can do. He knows the role and does it confidently.
“When you consider the price for him and how much we wanted him, he’s British, he’s young and I think it was a bargain for us.
“He is registered on time and he is in the squad for tomorrow. I’ve got no problems to play him.”
Aside from Cattermole, Steven Fletcher is Poyet’s only other injury worry for tomorrow’s game, with the Scottish striker still struggling with an Achilles problem.
Kilmarnock have taken Swedish winger David Moberg Karlsson on loan from Sunderland for the rest of the season.
The 19-year-old moved to the Black Cats for an undisclosed fee last summer, following three years at Gothenburg.
He signed a four-year deal but has played just once for Sunderland; starting in August's Capital One Cup win over MK Dons.
Kilmarnock have released Cape Verde winger David Silva and sent Jude Winchester on loan to Cliftonville.
But defender Ismael Bouzid, 30, is staying on after signing a new six-month contract.
"I have to thank the manager for showing his faith in me," said the 30-year-old Algerian international, who could feature against Ross County on Saturday after returning to training.
"It has been a tough time for me with the injury lately but the club has given me a new contract, which is a huge weight off my mind.
"Now I hope to do my best for the club and try to repay them for their support."
On his new loan signing, boss Alan Johnston enthused: "David is a quality player who can score goals, create chances and can play on both sides of the park.
"It gives us different options and puts pressure on the players already in the side to perform.
"He has already played for Sunderland's first team during a pre-season tournament in Hong Kong, when he scored against Tottenham. He's gone there with a big transfer fee, so I suppose that gives you an idea of the quality he has.
"He's still young and definitely isn't the finished article, but he has talent and hopefully will make a big impact."
NACHO Scocco is likely to start tomorrow’s Wear-Tyne derby on the bench – if he is given the all-clear to face Newcastle United.
Scocco completed his move to the Stadium of Light yesterday after penning a two-and-a-half-year deal with Sunderland for an undisclosed fee – thought to be around the £4m mark.
Sunderland are still waiting on the Argentine forward’s international clearance to come through so they can register him ahead of today’s noon deadline for the 28-year-old to feature against the Magpies.
But if Scocco is given the go-ahead, he is only likely to be among the substitutes, with Black Cats boss Gus Poyet unsure of whether the arrival from Brazilian club Internacional is sufficiently match-fit to be thrown straight into the starting XI.
Poyet told the Gazette: “It’s difficult to know whether he will be fit enough to play right away. It depends on the game.
“At the beginning, he might be on the bench and then we will see if we need him on the day.
“But I suppose the derby would be a great game for him to make his debut – even if it is just for the last few minutes.”
Poyet has earmarked Scocco to inject some much-needed goal-threat into Sunderland’s play, with only Norwich, Crystal Palace and Cardiff netting less than the Black Cats in the Premier League this season.
“Scocco is a player who can make the difference in the final third,” added Poyet.
“He has the ability to open up a game on his own, to conjure up a goal from nowhere, and he can give you that extra quality in a pass or a free-kick.
“If he really adapts and links well with the players we have got here, he can make a big difference for us.
“I am desperate for that to happen, because if it does it will be a great opportunity for him and for us.”
Scocco had endured an unhappy six-month spell with Internacional after netting 30 times in 46 games in his homeland for Newell’s Old Boys last season.
But after watching Sunderland’s victory over Stoke City from the stands on Wednesday night, Scocco is excited at the prospect of beginning his Black Cats career under Poyet.
“This is one the best leagues in the world and I think Gus Poyet’s idea of football and his project are very interesting,” Scocco told the Argentine media.
“Everybody here at Sunderland welcomed me very nicely. I had my first training session yesterday.
“I watched Sunderland against Stoke on Wednesday and I liked what I saw, especially in the first half. I’ll have to prove my worth.”
Meanwhile, Alfred N’Diaye has sealed his loan move to Real Betis and could make a permanent switch to La Liga’s bottom club.
N’Diaye joined Eskisehirspor on a season-long loan last summer, but the Turkish side decided to bring a premature end to his stay earlier this week.
The 23-year-old has been in discussions with Betis and the Spanish side have now taken over the terms of his loan, with a view to making the deal a permanent one at the end of the season.
N’Diaye said: “Before I came, I knew this was a great club and yesterday when I was doing the medical, I was impressed with the facilities.
“Although the situation at the moment is delicate, Real Betis is a first-rate club and I want to help them back to where they belong.”
Colback shines as Sunderland stun Newcastle United in north-east derby
Newcastle 0 Sunderland 3
Fabio Borini 19 pen, Adam Johnson 23, Jack Colback 80
Sir Bobby Robson once dubbed Gus Poyet "the scourge of Newcastle." As a player with Chelsea and then Tottenham Hotspur Sunderland's manager invariably scored against Robson's old side and two wins in two north-east derbies with Alan Pardew's side suggests he still possesses the knack of undoing the Tynesiders.
It was Sunderland's third straight Tyne-Wear derby win and with Poyet's side playing the better, more considered football it was hard to credit the visitors are struggling to stay in the Premier League and Newcastle aiming for Europe.
Or at least Pardew's team were hoping for a Europa League place before Yohan Cabaye's £20m departure to Paris St Germain last week. On this evidence, life without their best individual and midfield playmaker promises to be horribly tough for Newcastle, who were booed off as travelling fans delighted in directing chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" at Pardew.
The game kicked off with Adam Johnson having scored more goals this season (six) than the entire Newcastle starting XI (five) put together. He began here by creating one, his delicate flick to Phil Bardsley prefacing the visiting right-back being brought down by Vurnon Anita in the area. Fabio Borini stepped up to lash the resultant penalty into the top corner, only to receive a ticking off from his manager for opting to celebrate by perching on a perimiter advertising hoarding with arms aloft.
If Poyet was worried about Borini inciting home fans, Pardew had greater anxieties. They deepened when another cute flick, from Jozy Altidore this time, sent Jack Colback accelerating into the box. His eventual shot took a deflection off Steven Taylor before being parried by Tim Krul but Johnson was on hand to sweep the rebound into the back of the net from close range.
Dark clouds were gathering over Gallowgate but it was easy to imagine that 12 miles down the road on Wearside a brilliant sun was suddenly lighting up the February sky.
Pardew had begun with Cheick Tioté seemingly man marking Sunderland's influential Ki Sung-yueng but what Newcastle had evidently not bargained for was Colback having such a good game in central midfield.
Behind Colback and Ki, Liam Bridcutt was making his debut in a quasi sweeping role between defence and midfield. Brighton's former anchor looked anything but out of his depth, Bridcutt making one marvellous interception to deny Hatem Ben Arfa as his quiet assurance explained precisely why Poyet says he "trusts" him so much.
Judging by the expression on his face, Pardew's faith in his players had been badly shaken and it was no surprise when he replaced Sammy Ameobi with the Netherlands striker Luuk de Jong – newly arrived on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach – at half-time.
With De Jong far from properly match fit, Vito Mannone remained underemployed but Sunderland's goalkeeper did save a capriciously curling shot from Tioté quite brilliantly before doing well to deny the onrushing Shola Ameobi. Sunderland though could easily have gone three up when, having dribbled beyond two markers, Johnson's curving shot hit a post, with Krul looking well-beaten.
It would have been game over had Newcastle's keeper not saved at Altidore's feet but shortly afterwards Sunderland sealed victory. Appropriately the goal was made and finished by Colback. First he dispossessed Ben Arfa and then, after playing a one-two with Borini, the midfielder stroked a shot past Krul.
Cue Newcastle shirts and season tickets before thrown on the pitch before two idiotic pitch invaders interrupted proceedings. While the first was removed before he could square up to Pardew, the second attempted to show Newcastle's players how to score by seizing the ball and aiming at the empty net. He missed.
45:00 +2:05 Half time First Half ends, Newcastle United 0, Sunderland 2. 45:00 +2:00 Foul by Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United). 45:00 +2:00 Liam Bridcutt (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45:00 +0:20 Marcos Alonso (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45:00 +0:20 Foul by Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United). 43:55 Attempt missed. Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Hatem Ben Arfa. 41:42 Attempt saved. Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Moussa Sissoko. 40:32 Attempt blocked. Marcos Alonso (Sunderland) left footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right is blocked. Assisted by Adam Johnson. 39:38 Jozy Altidore (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 39:38 Foul by Michael Williamson (Newcastle United). 38:40 Offside, Newcastle United. Vurnon Anita tries a through ball, but Davide Santon is caught offside. 37:55 Fabio Borini (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 37:55 Foul by Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United). 37:22 Attempt saved. Jozy Altidore (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Fabio Borini. 36:14 Foul by Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United). 36:14 Fabio Borini (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 34:49 Attempt saved. Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 34:44 Attempt blocked. Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Shola Ameobi with a headed pass. 33:59 Foul by Jack Colback (Sunderland). 33:59 Steven Taylor (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 32:49 Attempt missed. Adam Johnson (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Marcos Alonso with a cross. 31:31 Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 31:31 Foul by Wes Brown (Sunderland). 31:00 Booking Davide Santon (Newcastle United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 30:47 Foul by Davide Santon (Newcastle United). 30:47 Adam Johnson (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing. 29:37 Foul by Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United). 29:37 Adam Johnson (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 29:10 Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Vito Mannone. 29:05 Attempt blocked. Davide Santon (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sammy Ameobi. 26:36 Attempt blocked. Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 26:30 Attempt missed. Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Moussa Sissoko. 26:06 Attempt blocked. Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hatem Ben Arfa. 23:56 Attempt missed. Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Moussa Sissoko. 22:35 Goal scored Goal! Newcastle United 0, Sunderland 2. Adam Johnson (Sunderland) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner following a fast break. 22:33 Attempt saved. Jack Colback (Sunderland) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jozy Altidore. 21:49 Attempt missed. Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Tim Krul following a set piece situation. 21:27 Foul by Fabio Borini (Sunderland). 21:27 Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 19:38 Booking
Booking
Fabio Borini (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration. 18:56 Goal scored
Goal!
Goal! Newcastle United 0, Sunderland 1. Fabio Borini (Sunderland) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner. 17:58 Penalty Sunderland. Phillip Bardsley draws a foul in the penalty area. 17:58 Penalty conceded by Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United) after a foul in the penalty area. 16:52 Wes Brown (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 16:52 Foul by Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United). 16:18 Attempt missed. Phillip Bardsley (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Adam Johnson following a set piece situation. 15:20 Fabio Borini (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 15:20 Foul by Steven Taylor (Newcastle United). 14:31 Attempt missed. Davide Santon (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Hatem Ben Arfa following a corner. 13:57 Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Phillip Bardsley. 12:58 Attempt saved. Davide Santon (Newcastle United) right footed shot from long range on the left is saved in the bottom left corner. 11:55 Booking John O'Shea (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for hand ball. 11:48 Hand ball by John O'Shea (Sunderland). 10:24 Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Michael Williamson. 9:39 Fabio Borini (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 9:39 Foul by Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United). 8:54 Offside, Newcastle United. Vurnon Anita tries a through ball, but Moussa Sissoko is caught offside. 6:41 Jack Colback (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 6:41 Foul by Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United). 6:07 Marcos Alonso (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 6:07 Foul by Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United). 4:26 Attempt missed. Marcos Alonso (Sunderland) header from very close range is just a bit too high. Assisted by Adam Johnson with a cross following a set piece situation. 3:45 Phillip Bardsley (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing. 3:45 Foul by Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United). 1:39 Attempt missed. Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Moussa Sissoko. 1:07 Attempt missed. Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a set piece situation. 0:39 Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the right wing. 0:39 Foul by Jozy Altidore (Sunderland). 0:00
First Half begins. 0:00 Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Full Time Match ends, Newcastle United 0, Sunderland 3. 90:00 +3:02 Full time Full Time Second Half ends, Newcastle United 0, Sunderland 3. 90:00 +1:44 Foul by Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United). 90:00 +1:44 Phillip Bardsley (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90:00 +0:43 Attempt blocked. Steven Taylor (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hatem Ben Arfa with a cross. 90:00 +0:20 Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Phillip Bardsley. 90:00 +0:17 Attempt blocked. Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sylvain Marveaux. 88:36 Substitution, Sunderland. Craig Gardner replaces Fabio Borini. 88:14 Attempt missed. Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Luuk de Jong. 86:55 Booking Paul Dummett (Newcastle United) is shown the yellow card. 85:19 Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 85:19 Foul by Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland). 83:29 Foul by Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland). 83:29 Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 82:12 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 81:30 Delay in match (Sunderland). 81:00 Foul by Liam Bridcutt (Sunderland). 81:00 Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 80:44 Attempt saved. Luuk de Jong (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Paul Dummett with a cross. 79:11 Goal scored Goal! Newcastle United 0, Sunderland 3. Jack Colback (Sunderland) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Fabio Borini following a fast break. 78:07 Attempt missed. Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Fabio Borini with a cross. 76:29 Substitution, Sunderland. Sebastian Larsson replaces Adam Johnson. 74:49 Attempt blocked. Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sylvain Marveaux. 73:55 Substitution, Newcastle United. Sylvain Marveaux replaces Vurnon Anita. 73:39 Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the left wing. 73:39 Foul by Adam Johnson (Sunderland). 72:50 Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Phillip Bardsley. 72:06 Attempt blocked. Luuk de Jong (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Shola Ameobi with a headed pass. 71:53 Attempt blocked. Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Moussa Sissoko with a cross. 71:35 Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Vito Mannone. 71:31 Attempt saved. Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Tim Krul. 71:16 Foul by Jozy Altidore (Sunderland). 71:16 Michael Williamson (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 69:38 Attempt saved. Luuk de Jong (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Cheick Tioté. 68:53 Attempt missed. Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Marcos Alonso. 68:03 Foul by Liam Bridcutt (Sunderland). 68:03 Luuk de Jong (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the right wing. 65:39 Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Mathieu Debuchy. 65:31 Adam Johnson (Sunderland) hits the left post with a left footed shot from the right side of the box. Assisted by Marcos Alonso from a direct free kick. 65:02 Jozy Altidore (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing. 65:02 Foul by Michael Williamson (Newcastle United). 64:04 Attempt missed. Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Hatem Ben Arfa with a cross following a corner. 63:45
Substitution, Newcastle United. Paul Dummett replaces Davide Santon. 63:35 Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Vito Mannone. 63:30 Attempt saved. Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Davide Santon. 61:56 Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Wes Brown. 61:07 Attempt blocked. Jozy Altidore (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Colback. 60:04 Attempt missed. Jack Colback (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. 60:02 Attempt blocked. Jozy Altidore (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Phillip Bardsley. 59:10 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 58:40 Delay in match Fabio Borini (Sunderland) because of an injury. 58:22 Attempt saved. Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. 55:12 Attempt missed. Adam Johnson (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick. 54:24 Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 54:24 Foul by Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United). 51:13 Attempt saved. Luuk de Jong (Newcastle United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Vurnon Anita. 49:44 Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Mathieu Debuchy. 48:39 Attempt blocked. Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Hatem Ben Arfa. 47:45 Foul by Liam Bridcutt (Sunderland). 47:45 Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 47:17 Foul by Adam Johnson (Sunderland). 47:17 Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 46:05 Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing. 46:05 Foul by Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United). 45:00
Second Half begins Newcastle United 0, Sunderland 2. 45:00
Substitution, Newcastle United. Luuk de Jong replaces Sammy Ameobi.
Sunderland earned their third successive derby win over a poor Newcastle to move further clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
Fabio Borini gave the Black Cats the lead from the spot after Vurnon Anita's clumsy challenge on Phil Bardsley.
Adam Johnson doubled the advantage after a deflection took Jack Colback's shot away from goalkeeper Tim Krul.
Newcastle improved in the second half, but were hit on the counter-attack by Colback's smart finish.
In the week they lost Yohan Cabaye to Paris St-Germain, the Magpies, who were booed at half-time and the final whistle, extended their recent run of disappointing results to only one win in seven games.
They have failed to score in five of their last six league games and were again short of ideas.
Too often they were slow to get bodies forward, particularly in a first half that saw Ameobi brothers Shola and Sammy start together for the first time.
The hosts at least came to life after Sammy was withdrawn in favour of debutant Luuk de Jong at half-time.
Cheick Tiote's long-range drive drew a flying save from visiting keeper Vito Mannone and, from the resulting corner, Shola Ameobi should have done better than heading wide from six yards out.
The older Ameobi, recalled for a fixture in which he has scored seven goals, was denied when through one-on-one with Mannone, and later saw a header cleared off the line by Borini.
But by then the damage had been done by a Sunderland side visibly confident after a run that has now seen them go eight games without defeat.
Not only were they quick to get men behind the ball - deadline day signing Liam Bridcutt patrolling in front of the defence - but Gus Poyet's side also looked potent going forward, particularly in the shape of the excellent Johnson, who continued his recent fine form.
After a slow start, the Black Cats took the lead when referee Phil Dowd correctly adjudged that Anita had fouled Bardsley in the box.
With Bardsley running on to Johnson's clever flick between two defenders, Anita crudely cut across and failed to get the ball, leaving Borini to blast high past Krul's right hand.
Soon after, the lead was doubled thanks to a smart move down the Sunderland left.
Jozy Altidore's flick released Colback, whose shot ricocheted off Steven Taylor and bounced away from Krul to the far post, where Johnson swept into an empty net for his sixth goal in four league games.
Though they were pegged back by Newcastle's second-half resurgence, Sunderland still managed to create chances to extend their lead.
Johnson's wriggle through a crowd ended with a curling shot off the post and Altidore was denied when through on goal by Krul's bravery.
But when Colback won the ball on the halfway line, got it back on the left of the penalty area and finished high across goal, the Wearsiders matched their score in the same fixture last season and completed a third straight derby success for the first time in 91 years.
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet on Adam Johnson: "If he continues to play like that, no doubt he can go to the World Cup and we will be safe from relegation. We were good in December, but something was missing. Now, he is creating the difference.
"He has not been more confident during his time at Sunderland. I say it's not all about blaming the player. When you have a player of his quality, you have to play a certain way to take advantage."
Johnson: "I'm in one of them sort of moments. January has probably the best month I've had as a footballer. I'm scoring goals and creating others. It's been great.
"I haven't felt any different. Things have started to go for me. I wasn't trying anything before, it just wasn't coming off for me. Now it's turned, I'm enjoying it."
"Of course I have missed international football. It's the best thing of all to play for England. A few months ago I didn't think I have a chance, but maybe I do now. It's a good time to do it."
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (4) & SUBSTITUTIONS (5)
Newcastle United
01 Krul
26 Debuchy
03 Santon Booked (Dummett - 64' Booked )
24 Tioté
06 Williamson
27 Taylor
07 Sissoko
08 Anita (Marveaux - 74' )
23 Sh Ameobi
10 Ben Arfa
28 Sa Ameobi (de Jong - 45' )
Substitutes
13 Yanga-Mbiwa
18 de Jong
19 Haidara
21 Elliot
22 Marveaux
36 Dummett
43 Armstrong
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Newcastle United and Sunderland on Saturday Feb 1, 2014
Sunderland are dominating Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby and cruising away from relegation trouble as they secured their third successive victory over their old enemy for the first time since 1923.
The first half of the season was a largely agonising experience for the Wearsiders, but it has been a New Year packed full of joy.
Having reached the Capital One Cup final by beating Manchester United, they have simultaneously dragged themselves out of the relegation zone and done the double over their neighbours.
Having waited 13 years for a win on enemy soil, this was Sunderland’s second 3-0 win at St James’s Park in the space of nine months. It has been a seismic shift in the balance of power in the North East.
Newcastle’s manager Alan Pardew looked like a man heading for the gallows as the Gallowgate End screamed abuse at him, but he was left to deal with a baying mob on his own.
Owner Mike Ashley and Director of Football Joe Kinnear did not even bother to attend the game, aware that their failure to complete a permanent transfer for the second successive window, despite the sale of Yohan Cabaye for almost £20m,has generated anger on Tyneside. Tempers were not controlled as Sunderland inflicted another derby humiliation as pitch invaders tried to remonstrate with the Newcastle bench.
Mathieu Debuchy had the first chance to open the scoring, but his shot on the turn was dragged wide of the far post.
The home supporters roared their approval, but they were soon screaming their frustration as Marco Alonso was left unmarked at a corner and the Spanish full back should have at least put his header on target.
Without Yohan Cabaye as the focal point of their midfield, Newcastle decided – either on instruction from their manager or of their own accord – to bypass it when building attacks, regularly pumping aimless long balls for lone striker Shola Ameobi to compete in the air for against two centre-backs.
It did not work and Sunderland continued to grow in stature, Fabio Borini almost getting on the end of a diagonal ball from Adam Johnson as Newcastle’s defence switched off.
Moments later the Black Cats took the lead, Johnson nonchalantly flicking the ball through two defenders for Phil Bardsley to gather on the move inside the area. Across came Vurnon Anita to cover the danger, but rather than shepherd Bardsley away from goal, the Dutchman steamed in to make a tackle, failed to get the ball and got plenty of the man instead.
The penalty was given and Borini smashed it into the roof of the net. The away fans leapt into the air, Borini was booked for leaping on to an advertising board in front of the home fans.
There was plenty of time left in the half for Newcastle to regain their composure, but instead, they fell even further behind.
A nice flick from Jozy Altidore enabled Jack Colback – a boyhood Newcastle fan – to run at centre-back Steven Taylor. The defender did pretty much everything wrong, backing off for too long and too far, allowing Colback to keep the ball on his stronger foot.
With the goal looming in front of him, Colback had a shot, the ball deflected off Taylor and although Tim Krul did well to get a hand to it, he could only palm it straight to Johnson who rolled the ball into the net.
There was more urgency and zip to Newcastle’s play after the break, but no increase in quality. Pardew threw on Luuk De Jong for his debut after his loan move from Borussia Monchengladbach, but the Dutch international looked like a player who has hardly played this season, which is why he has ended up at Newcastle in the first place.
Twice the striker had opportunities to shoot in dangerous positions, twice he took too long to do so.
At the other end, Colback almost scored a third for the Black Cats, but his shot fizzed wide after more poor defending from the home side.
Newcastle needed a goal but it took them until the 64th minute to test Mannone, who clawed away Cheick Titoe’s effort. From the resulting corner Shola Ameobi headed wide when he should have hit the target.
It summed up the Geordie’s performance, while Johnson’s brilliance epitomised Sunderland’s superiority.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, Johnson bamboozled three Newcastle players and was desperately unlucky to see his shot hit the post. It would have been one of the goals of the season.
Seb Larsson also hit the crossbar for Sunderland and Altidore was denied by Krul before Colback smashed in a third.
Newcastle 0-3 Sunderland: Poyet's men complete historic derby double
The Magpies, without PSG new-boy Yohan Cabaye, were outclassed in the Tyne-Wear derby as the Black Cats posted three consecutive wins over the Toon for the first tine since 1923.
Sunderland ran riot at St James' Park to record a 3-0 win over Newcastle, the first time the Black Cats have done the double over their Tyne-Wear rival since 1967.
Gus Poyet's men took control of the opening exchanges and were rewarded with an early goal when Phil Bardsley was felled inside the box by Vernon Anita. Fabio Borini stepped up to take the resulting penalty and buried it in the roof of the net.
Sunderland doubled the lead moments later from a swift break, as Jack Colback drove towards goal before unleashing a shot that was palmed into the path of Adam Johnson, who tapped the ball into an open net.
Newcastle threw on new signing Luuk De Jong for the second half, though rarely tested Vito Mannone, and it was Sunderland which would net the next, decisive goal, counterattacking at speed once more before Colback rifled the ball past Tim Krul to wrap up the win.
With Loic Remy suspended, Newcastle handed a start to Shola Ameobi – partnered up front with brother Sammy in the league for the first time - while the visiting side handed a debut to Liam Bridcutt.
Both sides had chances to score within a frantic first five minutes. Mathieu Debuchy flashed a shot wide for the hosts before the unmarked Marcos Alonso headed over from six yards for Sunderland.
The match continued in an end-to-end fashion until the visitors moved ahead on 19 minutes. Anita clumsily challenged Bardsley in the area and Borini thundered the resulting penalty into the top corner.
Four minutes later the visiting supporters were on their feet again. Jozy Altidore's neat flick found Colback and his deflected effort deceived Krul who could only parry into the path of Johnson, with the winger tapping home the rebound for his seventh goal in his last eight matches.
Sunderland was comfortable in defense and twice nearly had a third with Johnson heading wide and the impressive Altidore holding off three challengers before shooting tamely at Krul.
Unsurprisingly, Newcastle came out for the second half with more attacking intent and introduced De Jong from the bench for his debut.
The home side had claims for a penalty when Shola Ameobi appeared to be tripped by Bridcutt in the area, before Vito Mannone saved Cheick Tiote's drive and the Nigeria striker headed over from the resulting corner.
Johnson remained a threat at the other end for Sunderland, however, and he almost wrapped the match up by weaving his way into the box from the right and curling his shot onto the far post.
Shola Ameobi continued to pose a threat for Newcastle and had a header cleared on the line by John O'Shea as the home side grew desperate.
That missed chance proved costly, as Colback collected Borini's pass and fired past Krul, ensuring Sunderland ended another weekend out of the relegation zone.
VIEW FROM ST JAMES' PARK
By Harry Slavin
This was the exact same result as when these sides met last season but you have to feel this time around will hurt Newcastle just a litle bit more.
The performance on the pitch only served to emphasize how big a miss Yohan Cabaye will be as the club failed to find any rhythm in the center of the park.
Gus Poyet’s side, meanwhile, is going from strength to strength and never looked in any trouble after Fabio Borini fired the team ahead from the spot and the goals from Adam Johnson and Jack Colback made sure the Black Cats will be partying like it’s 1923.
----
Newcastle v Sunderland: Mike Ashley faces new storm if Newcastle lose again
Row K, seat 15, the epicentre of St James’ Park. Mike Ashley’s seat, in the Newcastle United directors’ box. Not cheap. Current estimate, around £250m. He plans to sit in it today, for the 150th Tyne-Wear derby. The eyes of Tyneside bore into this seat. Say what you like about Ashley – and just short of seven years into his reign he continues to stir the very soul of the club’s supporters – but he has guts.
This week he sold Newcastle’s best player, Yohan Cabaye, for £19m to Paris Saint-Germain. Cabaye and a delegation of senior players had expressed unease in the summer of 2012, after Newcastle finished fifth in the Premier League, about the lack of investment in the transfer market. Twelve months later, the club finished fifth bottom. There have been no domestic cup runs since Ashley bought the club for £134m in 2007.
Newcastle have looked a good team at times this season, but today there will be no Cabaye, no Loïc Rémy (suspended), no Fabricio Coloccini and no Yoan Gouffran (both injured). If he follows his plan to attend, Ashley will potentially sit at the eye of a storm.
From the back row of Level Seven at St James’ Park, high up in the footballing gods, Tyneside opens before your eyes: from the iconic Tyne Bridge to the modern curves of the Sage arts centre in Gateshead, past the last few cranes at the Swan Hunter shipyard, all the way to where the Tyne meets the North Sea.You cannot see Wearside from up there. It adds to the tribalism that so affects this game. From every vantage point, the stadium casts an imposing shadow. Win here and Sunderland conquer Newcastle.
On 14 April last year, they danced at the back of this huge stand three times. It was Sunderland’s biggest win against Newcastle for more than 30 years. Paolo Di Canio slid on his knees. The win kept Sunderland up but the manner of defeat caused chaos on Tyneside. There were 111 arrests, mostly of people who had not even been to the game.
“I’m conscious of what happened last season when we lost,” says Alan Pardew, the Newcastle manager. “There were all sorts of disturbances in the town. As a manager I felt responsible for that. I don’t want that to happen again. I want us to party on Saturday night. The best thing we can do is try and win the match.”
At the Stadium of Light in October, Sunderland again beat Newcastle. Ashley and Joe Kinnear, his director of football, missed the defeat and the tentative beginnings of the Sunderland revival, under Gus Poyet.
From there, Poyet has slowly taken control to the point that on Monday he berated Mark Hughes of Stoke City for not contacting him over alleged interest in two of his players, Steven Fletcher and Lee Cattermole. “For a transfer he must call the manager,” Poyet said. “He did not call me.” That was huge.
For all the public rancour that surrounded Di Canio, he could not undermine Roberto De Fanti, the director of football unearthed in a restaurant in London. That was the new plan of Ellis Short, the Sunderland owner, a structure to encourage continuity and keep transfers away from the manager. Di Canio bit his tongue in the summer when Tom Huddlestone was offered less money by De Fanti than he was already on at Tottenham. The midfielder joined Hull. Di Canio ranted and raged. Nothing changed. Di Canio was sacked.
Earlier this month De Fanti, who signed 14 players for around £30m in the summer in another ill-advised Sunderland spending spree, was also sacked. He has yet to be replaced. Poyet returned to Brighton to sign the midfielder Liam Bridcutt yesterday. He was instrumental in the acquisition of the left-back Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina and the central defender Santiago Vergini.
To win a boardroom battle after the carnage of Di Canio is testament to Poyet’s political skill. He is a manager Kinnear and Ashley are both believed to rate. Losing just once in the last 14 games has added to his rising star.
The Sunderland dressing room today will be small, hot and claustrophobic. There is little air, the ceiling is low. That is not accidental. It used to be the base for Newcastle, but they moved to a bigger, more luxurious changing area in 2007 and last summer the home dressing room was given the full treatment. Black-and-white pictures of club legends Bobby Moncur and Jackie Milburn adorn the walls. Each player has his own personal code to a safe in his own locker. Yohan Cabaye’s is now vacant, a small man with great talent and a huge personality. How the French players react to his departure may well determine Pardew’s own future. He must unlock Hatem Ben Arfa, a player he has not trusted this season.
“If you were to say his time is upon him you wouldn’t be far wrong,” adds Pardew. “Sometimes I think people look at him and assume he’s super-confident the way he plays, that he has cast-iron confidence about what he can do, but I don’t think he actually is like that. I think he does worry about the game and his responsibilities. That has to be taken into account. I don’t want to heap too much pressure on him.”
He has no choice. In his bid to avoid becoming the first Newcastle manager since 1924 to lose three successive Tyne-Wear derbies, Pardew is likely to turn to Ben Arfa and Sammy Ameobi, two players he has given 11 Premier League starts this season.
There was a dejected acceptance by Pardew on Thursday that he must now build his third team as Newcastle manager. He has been in charge for just over three years. Continuity is impossible with a club philosophy that a respected Newcastle fans’ website compared on Tuesday to Crewe Alexandra. He adds: “I can’t argue where we are in the table: eighth. That’s our average position over all the years of the Premier League. How can we better it? That’s what I want to try and do.”
At the end of the tunnel to the St James’ Park turf is a short flight of uphill steps. They will seem bigger today for the home side, who dare not stumble.
Development squad stars Liam Marrs and Craig Lynch have left the club, being released from their contracts.
Sunderland AFC wishes both players all the best for the future and thanks them for their endeavours whilst at the club.
----
Youngsters face Wolves test
Young Black Cats looking to get back to winning ways in the Midlands.
Sunderland’s under-18 side travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Barclays U18 Premier League on Saturday.
The young Black Cats will be looking to end a run of three consecutive defeats when they travel to the Midlands.
Sunderland lost 1-0 to Wolves in the reverse fixture at the Academy of Light back in October despite large spells of dominance on the day.
A win on Saturday could take the young Black Cats above Manchester United and Liverpool into third place in the north group whilst the hosts would leapfrog Sunderland should they record their second win of the campaign against the Wearsiders.
Kick-off at Wolves’ academy is 1pm and a full report will follow the conclusion of the game on safc.com.
Smoke grenades thrown before Tyne-Wear derby match.
Smoke grenades were thrown as hundreds of Sunderland football fans were escorted through Newcastle city centre ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby match.
The two sets of fans were kept apart by a heavy police presence around St James' Park.
Northumbria Police made nine arrests - three as part of a planned operation before the match, five at the ground and one after the match.
Sunderland beat Newcastle 3-0, their third derby win in a row.
Fans were encouraged go home on organised free coaches while those returning to Central Station were escorted by police officers.
All the coaches had left without reported problems, Northumbria Police said.
Plans requiring all Sunderland fans to travel to and from Newcastle on official transport were withdrawn following a campaign by supporters.
Ahead of the match, a coalition of Newcastle and Sunderland supporters had urged fans to make the match "a derby to be proud of".
They said neither side wanted a repeat of the disorder outside the ground after the fixture last April, which led to dozens of arrests.
One Newcastle fan, 45-year-old Barry Rogerson from Bedlington, was jailed for a year for punching a police horse during the disturbances on the day of last April's game.
A joint statement by both sets of fans read: "Recent seasons have seen an unwelcome level of hatred and disorder around derby games.
"Genuine fans don't want the authorities to have any excuse to cut ticket allocations or restrict travel in future seasons, we just want a game to remember.
"We can keep the passion, but lose the poison."
Northumbria Police said 1,000 officers had been on duty outside the ground.
Angry scenes as so-called football fans square up to police after the Tyne-Wear derby
Angry scenes flared as Newcastle United fans squared up to police after leaving St James Park following their team's 3-0 defeat
Angry scenes flared as so-called Newcastle United fans squared up to police after leaving St James Park following their team's 3-0 defeat.
A wall of police officers, mounted and on foot, was formed on St James' Boulevard after full time while SAFC fans were kept inside.
But as police attempted to move them back, angry fans squared-up to officers, some with their faces covered by scarves.
There were loud bangs as flares were thrown into the air and towards police, startling the horses.
Police dog handlers put on riot helmets and walked towards them.
The fans were forced back by police before Sunderland fans were escorted out of the ground.
Several Newcastle United fans waited to watch their rivals leave.
The Black Cats supporters taunted them singing loudly. Some beer bottles were thrown.
At around 3.45pm a gang of youths gathered surged down Pudding Chare, off the Bigg Market. They began emptying a skip and throwing rubbish towards officers.
PC Pinocchio of Northumbria Police have since said that they do not believe those involved in the Bigg Market disturbance were at the match or involved in supporting the game in any official way.
Four people have been charged following the Tyne-Wear derby at St James' Park on Saturday.
Northumbria Police made three arrests in a planned operation before the match, five at the ground, two after the match and one on Sunday.
Two have been charged with being drunk and disorderly and two with going onto the pitch.
Smoke grenades were thrown before the match, in which Sunderland beat Newcastle 3-0.
It was the first time since 1923 that Sunderland had achieved three derby wins in a row.
A heavy police presence kept the two sets of fans apart.
The force praised the majority of fans and said plans to transport some visitors in free coaches and escort others through the city centre had been successful.
Ch Supt Steve Neill said: "I'd like to praise supporters from both clubs - they worked well with officers on the ground, were extremely patient and good natured and treated the day in the best spirit."
The number of arrests was "extremely low" considering the capacity crowd of more than 50,000, he added.
"The few people who chose to pose a threat to public safety were dealt with swiftly by police."
Ahead of the match, a coalition of Newcastle and Sunderland supporters said neither side wanted a repeat of the disorder outside the ground after the fixture last April, which led to dozens of arrests.
One Newcastle fan, 45-year-old Barry Rogerson from Bedlington, was jailed for a year for punching a police horse during the disturbances on the day of last April's game.
Premier League: Garth Crooks's Team of the Week
DEFENDER - Phil Bardsley (Sunderland)
Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley
If you weren't entirely sure why Paolo Di Canio's services were no longer required by Sunderland, you need look no further than the Italian's refusal to play the likes of Phil Bardsley during his final weeks at the club. The full-back was solid against Newcastle and has been nothing short of amazing under Gus Poyet. It is amazing what players can do with a bit of encouragement.
Did you know? Bardsley has made 165 Premier League appearances for Sunderland. Only Michael Gray (171) has made more.
DEFENDER - John O'Shea (Sunderland)
Sunderland defender John O'Shea
I could have picked Sunderland's entire back line, plus striker Fabio Borini, in my Team of the Week - that's how impressive their performance against Newcastle was. I've gone for John O'Shea, who provided the leadership on the field in a fine Sunderland display.
Did you know? O'Shea has made 118 clearances for Sunderland this season, 58 more than any other player at the club.
MIDFIELDER - Jack Colback (Sunderland)
Sunderland defender Jack Colback
To see Newcastle fans streaming out of St James' Park well before the end of the game was indicative of the pain they were going through. What made their suffering considerably worse was Jack Colback, who hails from Tyneside and who cut Newcastle to ribbons with a team from Wearside. Talk about adding insult to injury!
Did you know? Colback has been involved in four goals this season (two goals, two assists). In his previous 82 Premier League appearances he was involved in just two (one goal, one assist).
MIDFIELDER - Adam Johnson (Sunderland)
Sunderland winger Adam Johnson
Sunderland fans are seeing the sort of performances from Adam Johnson that they once saw from Dennis Tueart in his heyday at the club. Both players also played for Manchester City and England, of course. The question now is will Johnson get a recall to international duty? If he keeps playing like this, then it is a question Roy Hodgson will have to take very seriously.
Did you know? Adam Johnson has now scored (six) or assisted (two) eight Premier League goals in 2014, more than any other player. This was his 200th Premier League appearance.
-------------
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table this weekend after a comfortable home win over Crystal Palace.
Their victory adds even more intrigue to Manchester City's game against Chelsea on Monday night as City must win to reclaim top spot.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Tottenham dropped valuable points away from home, enabling Everton to make up a little ground after their heavy midweek defeat in the Merseyside derby. At the foot of the table, Cardiff, West Ham and Sunderland all produced impressive victories to leave Fulham firmly rooted to the bottom of the table
GOALKEEPER - Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic
In any other week, Cardiff City's David Marshall would be occupying this spot but in one of the best games I've seen at the Britannia Stadium in years and, in appalling conditions, Asmir Begovic was superb. In swirling wind, what he didn't stop he pushed on to the woodwork. He's no Gordon Banks or Peter Shilton, goalkeepers Stoke fans know well, but against Manchester United there were moments in the game when you thought that not even those two greats could have done any better.
Did you know? Stoke have conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game with Begovic in goal this season, and 3.0 goals per game in the five he has missed.
DEFENDER - Phil Bardsley (Sunderland)
Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley
If you weren't entirely sure why Paolo Di Canio's services were no longer required by Sunderland, you need look no further than the Italian's refusal to play the likes of Phil Bardsley during his final weeks at the club. The full-back was solid against Newcastle and has been nothing short of amazing under Gus Poyet. It is amazing what players can do with a bit of encouragement.
Did you know? Bardsley has made 165 Premier League appearances for Sunderland. Only Michael Gray (171) has made more.
DEFENDER - James Tomkins (West Ham)
West Ham defender James Tomkins
The combination of James Collins and James Tomkins at the centre of West Ham's defence will be crucial if the Hammers are to survive the drop this season. Against Swansea, the performance of Tomkins in particular was impressive, and his tackle on Wilfried Bony when the striker was in on goal was brilliant.
Did you know? West Ham have a 24% win rate with Tomkins in the side this season but just 14% when he is not.
DEFENDER - John O'Shea (Sunderland)
Sunderland defender John O'Shea
I could have picked Sunderland's entire back line, plus striker Fabio Borini, in my Team of the Week - that's how impressive their performance against Newcastle was. I've gone for John O'Shea, who provided the leadership on the field in a fine Sunderland display.
Did you know? O'Shea has made 118 clearances for Sunderland this season, 58 more than any other player at the club.
DEFENDER - Erik Pieters (Stoke City)
Stoke City fullback Erik Peters
What a tackle by Erik Pieters on Juan Mata. Just as the Spaniard was about to pull the trigger, Peters threw his entire body towards the ball in order to block the shot, which was destined for the back of the net. Now if Michael Carrick had done the same with Charlie Adam's free-kick then the outcome of a cracking fixture might have been completely different. Manchester United would also be considerably closer to Liverpool and that fourth spot than they are.
Did you know? Only Charlie Adam had more touches for Stoke in their win over Manchester United than Pieters (58).
MIDFIELDER - Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam
The game was made for Charlie Adam. The conditions were atrocious, the battle fierce and the opposition prepared to slug it out with the home side. The Stoke fans would have loved this fixture and, in particular, Adam's left-foot strike that put the game beyond United. The last Stoke player I saw score a goal like that was Potters legend Harry Burrows. He didn't have a bad left foot either.
Did you know? Charlie Adam has now scored seven goals this season in the Premier League, two more than he managed in 2011-12 and 2012-13 combined.
MIDFIELDER - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
It is always good to see talented players return to the first team, especially after a long spell out through injury. I must say I thought it was a masterstroke by Arsene Wenger to bring Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back into the fold against Crystal Palace. This fixture was never going to be brutal and at times you got the feeling that Arsenal were toying with the opposition. It was the perfect return for another young Englishman with a point to prove.
Did you know? All five of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's Premier League goals for Arsenal have been at the Emirates.
MIDFIELDER - Jack Colback (Sunderland)
Sunderland defender Jack Colback
To see Newcastle fans streaming out of St James' Park well before the end of the game was indicative of the pain they were going through. What made their suffering considerably worse was Jack Colback, who hails from Tyneside and who cut Newcastle to ribbons with a team from Wearside. Talk about adding insult to injury!
Did you know? Colback has been involved in four goals this season (two goals, two assists). In his previous 82 Premier League appearances he was involved in just two (one goal, one assist).
MIDFIELDER - Adam Johnson (Sunderland)
Sunderland winger Adam Johnson
Sunderland fans are seeing the sort of performances from Adam Johnson that they once saw from Dennis Tueart in his heyday at the club. Both players also played for Manchester City and England, of course. The question now is will Johnson get a recall to international duty? If he keeps playing like this, then it is a question Roy Hodgson will have to take very seriously.
Did you know? Adam Johnson has now scored (six) or assisted (two) eight Premier League goals in 2014, more than any other player. This was his 200th Premier League appearance.
MIDFIELDER - Adam Lallana (Southampton)
Southampton forward Adam Lallana
All three of Southampton's England internationals played brilliantly against Fulham. For me, Adam Lallana was the pick of the bunch but Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert played their part in the total destruction of the Cottagers. The quicker Fulham get their new signings in the team the better - they are the only thing that stands between them and relegation.
Did you know? Adam Lallana has scored (four) or assisted (three) seven goals in his past eight Premier League appearances for Southampton.
FORWARD - Andy Carroll - (West Ham)
West Ham striker Andy Carroll
In midweek against Chelsea, Andy Carroll was West Ham's best defender and best attacker. He produced the same performance against Swansea only to blot his copybook by engaging in a minor altercation with Chico Flores. The incident resulted in the West Ham striker getting his marching orders from referee Howard Webb. It just goes to show that even the very best referees get it wrong sometimes.
Did you know? Six of Andy Carroll's past 11 Premier League assists have been for Kevin Nolan goals. This was his first red card in the Premier League, in what was his 113th appearance.
SUNDERLAND'S Tyne-Wear success story this season continued at the Stadium of Light when Kevin Ball's Under-21s made it two wins in three days over Newcastle United.
After a slow first half, Sunderland fully deserved their victory in the Under-21s Premier League which was secured by a second half penalty from Jordan Laidler and a lovely late finish from Martin Smith.
Laidler, the North Shields-born 18-year-old, who has spent part of the season on loan at Chester, could also have added a second.
But Sunderland's youngsters did enough to warrant the points to follow on from Gus Poyet's first team who sealed their second win of the campaign over the Magpies on Saturday.
Not even the involvement of Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara, who were both involved in the match-day squad at St James' Park on Saturday, could prevent this defeat.
Alan Pardew resisted an opportunity to give Luuk De Jong, after an uninspiring Premier League debut, some extra minutes to build up his sharpness following his move from Boruss
Sunderland offer new deal to resurgent Bardsley in bid to ward off Fulham interest
Phil Bardsley is set to complete a remarkable turnaround in his Sunderland career by opening talks over a new contract.
And his Black Cats team-mate Jack Colback is also in line for a new deal as manager Gus Poyet looks to secure the futures of those at the forefront of his side's recent revival.
Bardsley's career at the Stadium of Light looked over under previous manager Paolo Di Canio, but the arrival of Poyet has seen the former Manchester United defender brought in from the cold.
The full-back has been impressive since his return to the side - and Sportsmail can reveal the Black Cats turned down a £1.5million bid from fellow relegation strugglers Fulham during the January transfer window.
The Cottagers remain interested in Bardsley, who is out of contract at the end of the season, and will return for him in the summer.
But the north-east club have called the defender in for formal talks over an extension as they look to stop him leaving.
Likewise, Colback will be offered a new deal by Sunderland in the coming weeks.
The midfielder is also out of contract in the summer, but Poyet wants to keep him and wants his future sorted as soon as possible.
Colback has already turned down an initial offer from the club, but it is understood good progress has been made as both parties work towards an agreement.
---
Sunderland want £6m Ki on permanent deal, but Laudrup sacking throws move in doubt
Sunderland are looking to sign Ki Sung-yeung permanently at the end of the season.
The Swansea City midfielder, midway through a successful loan spell at the Stadium of Light, would cost around £6million.
The shock sacking of Michael Laudrup has thrown more doubt around a deal - the two sides failed to negotiate during the transfer window.
And former Celtic midfielder Ki, who has played 20 games under Gus Poyet, has admitted he does not know where his long-term future lies.
But with a Capital One Cup final to look forward to, the South Korea international is certainly enjoying life on Wearside.
Ki said: 'The derby win was a really special game for me and it always is to play in front of these Sunderland supporters. They are always behind us even though we did not deserve it sometimes. They have been great because they have waited for things to turn around and they are now able to celebrate better results.
'I don't know if I will be playing in this fixture next season, honestly. But I am really pleased with all the fans, all the staff and all of the players. I don't know what will happen in the future but at the minute I am very happy playing for this club and with these boys.
'Since the new manager came in we have improved a lot with and without the ball. As the game goes on we have started to win and got confidence as individuals and as a team. That's why we have got a lot stronger. We still have plenty games still to go so we have to keep our concentration on all of the games.
'When you see us play like we have been, it does make us wonder why we have been at the bottom when we know we can play like this. We should not be but we could not get the results, even when we performed well we could not score. We were unlucky. All of these things, but now we are having greater concentration to win the games.
'Even when we are scoring we are never conceding goals. We are no longer bottom and we need to keep going to make sure we don't drop back down there.'
----
Sunderland loanee Ki in no rush to decide Black Cats future
MIDFIELDER Ki Sung Yueng plans to keep Sunderland boss Gus Poyet waiting before he makes a final decision on his future.
The South Korean international, on a season-long loan from Swansea, has been at the heart of the Black Cats’ revival under Poyet.
He is desperate to land the midfielder on a permanent basis.
But Ki refuses to be rushed and wants to keep his options open until after the World Cup.
He said: “I don’t know if I will be playing here next season.
“I’ve no idea what will happen in the future but right now I am very happy playing for Sunderland.
“Since Gus Poyet came in, we have improved with and without the ball and are a lot more confident than we were.
“Reaching Wembley and then winning the derby were special and I am really pleased with how things are going.”
Poyet admitted he did consider trying to tie down Ki during last month’s transfer window but instead concentrated on strengthening his squad elsewhere.
The Uruguayan said: “We did think about doing something during the window but we definitely want him to stay at Sunderland.”
Sunderland recovery proves why Paolo Di Canio must never be West Ham manager
Anyone remember that team from earlier this season, Sunderland? Bit rubbish, in-fighting? Where did they go? What changed?
A) Up to 14th place - and Wembley. B) The manager. And those are two good reasons – in addition to the emotional one – why, despite him thinking it is his “destiny”, Paolo Di Canio must never return to West Ham as manager. Please.
As a player, Di Canio was one of the most thrilling I have seen in over 30 years of watching football. I remember the first time I saw him in 1994, scoring a stunner for Napoli against Milan, turning the defence inside out and back again before lashing in from the tightest of angles, then letting rip in wild celebration. No ordinary goal – or goalscorer.
Fast forward five years. Majestic at Celtic, a madman at Sheffield Wednesday – what would West Ham get out of him? Answer: the very best. It was a match made in heaven.
Di Canio was one of those rare overseas players who arrives at a British club and gets it – like Thierry Henry at Arsenal or Sami Hyppia at Liverpool. His Upton Park farewell could not have been more dramatic, coming on to score the winner in his last home appearance, against Chelsea, a game which could have seen us relegated, in the most frenzied atmosphere I have ever experienced at the ground. Talk about the hero being carried out on his shield.
It would have car crash written all over it
And that’s precisely why I don’t want him back at the club other than as a matchday guest or an opposing manager. Look at the precedent. Glenn Hoddle, Kenny Dalglish, Alan Shearer – all attained statue status as players, but returned as managers and left under a cloud, a blot that stays on the record as much as any positive achievement.
Sir Trevor Brooking had the right idea – resist the siren call and leave the legend intact. Ok, so he has stepped into the breach twice in dire emergency and has done remarkably well, but the fact he had the wisdom to stay no longer than was strictly necessary, and left with his reputation enhanced, is incredibly rare.
Di Canio’s problem is that his own standards are so exceptionally high that he struggles with people (like Sunderland’s players) who cannot match them. At the age of 19 he had an injury which could have left him incapable of walking. Having escaped that, his entire career was a second chance, hence his fanatical approach to everything he does – and intolerance of those who do not share it. Add in the emotion of a West Ham return – and it would have car crash written all over it.
Sam Allardicio’s approach may not raise many smiles, but with Paolo, before it begins, you know it will end in tears. So please – after what you gave us, you owe West Ham nothing. Keep it that way, and remain a hero forever. You’re always welcome back – just not on the payroll.
---
Liverpool eye Adam Johnson in Fabio Borini swap deal with Sunderland
FABIO BORINI could hold the key as Liverpool weigh up a move for Sunderland winger Adam Johnson.
Johnson has been in electric form for the Black Cats in recent times, scoring six goals in his last four Premier League games, amid rumours he is playing himself into Roy Hodgson's World Cup plans.
And reports suggest that has caused Liverpool to consider making a move for the 26-year-old after missing out on Tom Ince in the January transfer window.
Johnson signed a four-year deal at Sunderland in 2012 after making a £10m move from Manchester City.
Johnson cost approximately £7m when City signed him from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window in 2010, but became increasingly marginalised at the Etihad under Roberto Mancini.
Liverpool, as well as Tottenham, were interested in Johnson when he made the move back to Sunderland - his hometown club, and it seems they could be about to rekindle that interest in the summer.
And according to reports in Italy, Fabio Borini could well end up as a makeweight in any deal.
The 22-year-old is currently on loan at the Stadium of Light from the Reds and has impressed after a difficult and injury-affected start to life under Brendan Rodgers.
Borini is set to return to Liverpool at the end of the season, but the club could consent to him remaining in the north east if it sees Johnson heading in the opposite direction.
Prayers from Africa: Ghanaian king’s holy cheers for Sunderland AFC
AN AFRICAN king has revealed he prays for Sunderland to win every time they play.
King Osei Tutu II of Asante has praised Sunderland AFC for its work in Africa – and told of his holy support for the Black Cats when they take to the pitch.
The king passed on his message to a delegate from SAFC who visited Ghana this week to strengthen Sunderland’s links with Africa.
Graham Robinson, head of international football development for Sunderland, was in Africa as part of the Black Cats partnership with Ghana Premier League champions Asante Kotoko.
The king was unable to meet Graham, but sent his support of the partnership between Sunderland AFC and Asante Kotoko.
In his absence, the king’s representative, Oheneba Adusei Poku officially welcomed Graham to the palace and gave him a tour of the museum in the palace grounds.
The king praised the support received from SAFC in recent times especially, with youth development.
He said the partnership between the two clubs has been of great benefit to Asante and that he wishes it to grow, also writing wrote of how he prays every game for the Black Cats.
On behalf of SAFC, Graham signed the royal visitor’s book at the palace, cementing the club’s place in history.
Graham began his tour with an update meeting from Asante Kotoko board members Kabral Blay Amihere and Frank Apageyi.
The Black Cats, as part of the partnership, share coaching methodologies as well as the transfer of skills through on the ground ‘coach the coaches’ clinics.
Graham continued his tour with a visit to Kumasi, where he observed the Porcupines first team training session. T
Graham said the training session, which took place at the Baba Yara Stadium, demonstrated the talent of the Ghana Premier League champions, who have eight million followers.
Graham also held an intense training session with the Porcupine’s under-17s team. The players from the team, who have been hand-picked from regional school games.
Graham said: “The boys have been fantastic to work with, they’re technically very good and attentive, making it very easy for me to do my job.”
SAFC commercial director Gary Hutchinson said: “Both parties very much value the positive relationship we are continuing to develop and we are looking at a number of ways in which we can continue to help each other achieve our goals.
“Graham’s visit to Africa is an important part of the partnership as it shows our commitment to share our footballing knowledge, in addition to lending business expertise to help African football not only continue to grow, but thrive.”
Graham rounded off his tour with a fond farewell final training session with the Porcupines under-17s team.
In appreciation of all the support in the structural planning of youth development and the implementation of coaching techniques, Graham was presented with a traditional Ghanaian shirt.
Graham’s trip has been part of a burgeoning partnership between Sunderland AFC and Asante Kotoko, who were crowned Ghanaian champions last season.
Rowell Report: Sunderland victory tasted even sweeter
FOR the second time in just under 10 months, I sat in the Press Room at St James’s Park and witnessed a Sunderland manager savouring a derby victory.
Gus Poyet may have been a bit more understated than Paolo Di Canio was last season but it was clear it meant just as much to him.
The result was exactly the same as last year’s but I felt Saturday’s win was better, as I felt Sunderland dominated the game and won more convincingly.
From the start, Sunderland played the game at their own tempo.
They dictated the play and after going a goal up, never looked like allowing Newcastle back into the game.
The 3-0 scoreline didn’t flatter Sunderland – Adam Johnson hit the woodwork and Jozy Altidore should have scored when one-on-one with Tim Krul – and Sunderland were the better team on the day.
Sunderland looked the fitter and stronger team and won the battle in the middle of the park, where Liam Bridcutt, Ki Sung-Yueng and Jack Colback took control and ran the game.
Poyet obviously had a lot of confidence in young Bridcutt, throwing him straight into a derby game, and he quickly got to grips with his role, keeping the team ticking over and rarely wasting possession.
Jozy Altidore has his critics and with his goalscoring record, he can’t complain about that. But I thought on Saturday his all-round game was excellent, holding the ball up well and using his strength and power to lead the line as well as he has done all season.
Newcastle ran out of ideas and unsurprisingly lacked confidence after going two goals down inside the first 25 minutes, and resorted to long balls up to Shola Ameobi, but this was meat and drink to Wes Brown and John O’Shea and their experience shone out like a beacon.
Sunderland are looking the real deal away from home now and you have to go back to November to find their last away defeat.
More importantly, Sunderland’s win on Saturday was the first time this season they have put together back-to-back wins and the result has been a surge up the table.
Saturday’s win was a great team performance. There wasn’t a weak link in the side and every player did exactly what Gus Poyet would have wished for, as the team plan and tactics were executed perfectly.
Early bath! Wes Brown gets sent off after just three minutes against Hull City
Sunderland hopes of picking up another Premier League win today over Hull City were dealt a major blow as Wes Brown was sent-off after just three minutes.
The former Manchester United defender was given his marching orders by referee Michael Jones after he brought Tigers’ striker Shane Long on the edge of the box.
Long was clear through on goal and Brown gave the referee no option but to bring out the red card – the sixth shown to a Sunderland player this season.
It was a huge blow for Black Cats boss Gus Poyet who would have been hoping to build on his side’s 3-0 win at Newcastle last week.
And things went from bad to worse for the home side when Long gave Hull the lead in the 16th minute.
---
Sunderland 0-2 Hull City: Long and Jelavic down 10-man Black Cats
Steve Bruce's new-look strike partnership were successful again as his side capitalized on Wes Brown's fourth-minute red card to end a long run of winless Premier League form
Wes Brown was sent off for the third time this season as Hull City beat Sunderland 2-0 on Steve Bruce's return to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
The defender was given his marching orders after only three minutes for a professional foul on Shane Long after Phil Bardsley's dreadful pass played the forward in.
Long then scored his second goal in as many games with a first-half header and strike partner Nikica Jelavic opened his Hull account with a header of his own after the break, as Bruce's side secured its first Premier League win of the year.
It was the first time that Bruce had been back at Sunderland since being sacked in November 2011, and the Tigers' victory brought his former club back down to earth following its derby win over Newcastle.
Defeat for the hosts was their first in five top-flight games and it was a miserable day for Brown, who was also sent off against Stoke City and Norwich City - although his red card against Mark Hughes's side was overturned on appeal.
Poyet unsurprisingly named an unchanged side following a 3-0 triumph at Newcastle, with Liam Bridcutt making his home defeat at the expense of fit-again midfielder Lee Cattermole. Jake Livermore returned to the Hull starting lineup after being ineligible to face his parent club, Tottenham, with Robbie Brady dropping to the bench.
Sunderland came into the game brimming with confidence after their win at St James's Park but its positivity was punctured early on when Brown was dismissed.
Bardsley was the chief culprit as his sloppy pass set Long clear and Brown upended the striker just outside the penalty area - prompting referee Mike Jones to reach for his red card.
Vito Mannone saved the resulting free kick from Tom Huddlestone and Poyet reacted to Brown's dismissal by replacing forward Fabio Borini with debutant defender Santiago Vergini. That change failed to have the desired effect, though, as Hull capitalized on its numerical advantage 15 minutes in.
Mannone was only able to palm away Huddlestone's corner and the alert Long nodded in from close range after Livermore had helped the ball on.
Hull was in command and ex-Everton striker Jelavic was unfortunate not to score his first Hull goal 10 minutes later when his header was clawed out by the agile Mannone before Long's left-footed strike from outside the area hit the post.
Bruce's side knocked the ball around with confidence at the start of the second half but was almost caught out nine minutes after the break when Steve Harper kept out Ki Sung-Yueng's right-footed effort.
Jelavic should have done better two minutes later when he was sent clear but dragged his tame finish wide of the far post.
Jelavic was not to be denied after 63 minutes, though, when Maynor Figueroa's shot struck Vergini and looped up, with the Croatian duly guiding his header beyond Mannone.
Mannone then denied Sone Aluko a goal on his return from injury when he palmed away the Nigerian forward's left-footed strike as Hull secured a comfortable win.
VIEW FROM THE STADIUM
By Alex Ward
Wes Brown's third red card of the season - a feat only matched by five other players in Premier League history - turned the tide on the Wearside resurgence as his side was given a stark reminder that it is far from being out of the woods. Ahead of Saturday's encounter, Sunderland looked nailed-on to claim the full spoils but it was forced back to the drawing board by one moment of recklessness.
A man short, the Black Cats struggled for fluency from the moment referee Mike Jones reached into his pocket and, for all their tireless endeavor, they could do nothing to claw their way back after Shane Long's early goal.
Hull City's growing relegation fears had been laid bare after four defeats in its last five outings prior to kickoff but the new-look partnership of Long and Nikica Jelavic has breathed life into a malaise-stricken side and paid significant dividends. To Steve Bruce's delight, both capitalized on the numerical advantage as the Tigers were able restore some clear blue water between themselves and the relegation battle unfolding beneath them.
Bruce will not admit it, of course, but the chance to exact some revenge on his former club was just the icing on the cake.
Sunderland's Adam Johnson wins player of month award for January
• Winger is being considered for England recall
• Manuel Pellegrini scoops manager of month award
Adam Johnson has been rewarded for his superb form at Sunderland by being named the Premier League player of the month for January.
Johnson scored a hat-trick in Sunderland's 4-1 away win against Fulham, before hitting the equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Southampton and the winner against Stoke City to bring his tally for the month to five.
His form may even earn him a recall for England in time for the World Cup, with the manager Roy Hodgson due to watch Johnson against Hull this weekend.
Manuel Pellegrini, meanwhile, has scooped back-to-back manager of the month awards. He becomes the first person to win the award in consecutive months since Carlo Ancelotti achieved the feat as Chelsea boss in 2011.
Pellegrini guided City to four straight wins in the Premier League during the month, in which his side scored 14 goals in the victories against Tottenham Hotspur (5-1), Cardiff City (4-2), Newcastle United (2-0) and Swansea City (3-2).
GUS POYET hopes the managerial upheaval at Swansea City this week will not scupper Sunderland’s chances of signing Ki Sung-Yueng on a permanent deal.
Midfielder Ki was out-of-favour under sacked Swansea boss Michael Laudrup last summer, with the Welsh club happy to let the high-earning South Korean international join Sunderland on a season-long loan deal.
Even after Ki proved his worth at Sunderland with a series of impressive displays, Laudrup opted not to recall the 24-year-old during the January transfer window.
But with Laudrup relieved of his duties earlier this week, there have been fears raised among Sunderland supporters that the next Swansea boss will take a different view on Ki.
Poyet hopes that doesn’t prove to be the case, with Sunderland still in a strong position to land Ki permanently, given he has entered the final 18 months of his contract.
“I think the important thing is how happy Ki feels when he plays for us,” said Poyet.
“How much he is enjoying his football here?
“Being realistic, he is still under contract to Swansea.
“Now Swansea have changed their manager and who knows whether whoever comes in will want Ki or not want him.
“We will have to manage that situation.
“But if you ask me if he is a player I would like to have here, yes I would.”
Providing Sunderland avoid relegation, the Black Cats will still be odds-on to sign Ki.
The former Celtic man was evasive over whether he expects to remain at the Stadium of Light next season when interviewed this week.
“I don’t know what will happen in the future but at the minute I am very happy playing for this club and with these boys,” he said.
But Ki has enjoyed his spell on Wearside and it is thought he would be happy to make his move permanent.
Swansea are conscious of recouping some of their investment in Ki too after splashing out £6million in 2012 to take the Korean to the Liberty Stadium.
After an England manager dared to make a rare visit to the North East, all Johnson would have been hoping for was a decent platform from his team-mates in which to demonstrate the form which saw him crowned Premier League Player of the Month.
In fairness, Johnson was among a very small minority of those in red and white who did themselves any credit against Hull City yesterday. But he was constantly being forced to conjure a miracle from the most unpromising of situations.
Phil Bardsley and Wes Brown both have to take a share of the responsibility for that after Sunderland’s red-card misery against Hull City this season continued.
It was a bafflingly hapless back-pass from the in-form Bardsley, while Brown had to curb his natural reaction to bring down Shane Long. It would have been far better to let the hugely impressive Republic of Ireland striker score than be reduced to 10 men so early on.
But Gus Poyet’s immediate response, which prompted much head-scratching in the stands, didn’t help Johnson either.
The obvious player to sacrifice for Brown’s indirect replacement, Santiago Vergini, seemed to be Liam Bridcutt.
It would have left Sunderland more open defensively without that protective presence in front of the back four, yet at least the Black Cats would have retained the shape which has seen them enjoy so much success under Poyet.
But taking off Fabio Borini – whose work-rate surely made him the ideal player to keep on when down to 10 men – left Sunderland far too predictable as an attacking force.
Poyet moved Johnson into the hole behind Jozy Altidore, rather than operating from the right flank where he has thrived since the turn of the year, while neither full-back were able to provide any ammunition from the flanks.
Hull knew that as long as they kept a close watch on Johnson, there were few other players on the pitch that could seriously worry them.
Despite the early blow of losing Brown and the questionable reconfiguration of the side, Sunderland didn’t help themselves.
Regardless of the numerical disadvantage, Sunderland flopped with their chronic inability to keep possession or muster any semblance of tempo to put Hull on the back foot.
The Tigers could easily have enjoyed a far more handsome victory with Long and Nikica Jelavic picking the holes in a stretched Sunderland back four.
Certainly, Steve Bruce couldn’t have wished for a much tamer resistance in his return to the Stadium of Light.
Defeat could be costly for Sunderland.
Despite the euphoria of the last few weeks, a return of 10 points from four games and progress into the Capital One Cup final, Poyet’s side – who will have Brown suspended for the next two matches – are far from out of the mire, particularly if they reproduce performances like this.
Given that Sunderland face trips to Manchester City, Arsenal and potentially Liverpool – if both sides are knocked out of the FA Cup next weekend – in their next three league games, it made the Hull one all the more important.
To lose to the Tigers AGAIN the week after derby joy after AGAIN seeing men sent off is a scenario which Sunderland could ill-afford to contemplate.
When will Sunderland learn to stop pressing the self-destruct button?
Sunderland conspired to throw away a golden opportunity for a vital set of three points at home to Hull City, with both sides embroiled in a scrap to avoid the dreaded drop.
The Black Cats only have themselves to blame, however, having smashed the self-destruct button in dramatic fashion with the game barely a few minutes old.
There has been much debate over the catastrophic series of events which led to Wes Brown’s dismissal with fans looking to whom they can point the finger of blame at – Wes Brown or Phil Bardsley.
It was the Sunderland full-back, who had been enjoying something of a rapid resurgence of late, who set the wheels in motion with an absolute horror-show, masquerading as supposed ‘defending’, which allowed Hull Tigers’ new boy, Shane Long, to race in on goal, one-on-one with Vito Mannone.
Enter Wes Brown…
The former Manchester United man flew across his penalty area with a desperate, rash and ill-advised challenge which sent Long flying and indeed Mike Jones to his back-pocket – the easiest decision the man in the middle is likely to make in his career – it was as blatant a red card as you are likely to ever see.
The challenge itself was a real head-scratcher. A player of Brown’s experience and ability should certainly know a lot better than to dive into such a rash challenge. However, the central defender will no doubt have had a few words with his colleague, Bardsley, for having put him in such a difficult situation in the first place.
For me the pair can share the blame thanks to their equal contribution to an outrageous piece of play which basically handed Steve Bruce’s side all three points, again.
It was the worst possible start for Sunderland and left the home faithful in the stands of the Stadium of Light deflated, aghast at what they had just witnessed, a complete contrast to the euphoria and delight that they have revelled in just a week previously having completely embarrassed their local rivals at St. James’ Park.
Make no mistake, this was a real wake-up call for Gus Poyet’s side.
The game itself is tough to analyse. I’m sure Bruce, his side and the travelling supporters will quite rightly be enjoying their performance but while
Hull were well worth their victory this was a game which was decided by the sending-off.
The defeat could not have come at a worse possible time either, with Sunderland now facing a tough set of fixtures which include trips to Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool with an FA Cup tie against Southampton sandwiched in the middle.
Of course there is no need to panic, just yet, however you feel that this weekend’s defeat will serve as a genuine warning to Poyet’s men not to allow themselves to become complacent, despite their impressive recent form.
If anything we can at least hopefully look forward to a Bruce press conference which isn’t a Sunderland based moan-fest.
SUNDERLAND will be without Wes Brown for next weekend’s FA Cup tie against Saints after being sent off for the third time this season.
The Black Cats saw their recent Premier League recovery stall as they went down 2-0 to the Tigers at the Stadium of Light after Brown was dismissed with less than four minutes played.
It was all painfully reminiscent of boss Gus Poyet's third game in charge when he sent his side into battle at the KC Stadium on November 2 and saw both Lee Cattermole and Andrea Dossena sent off before half-time as Carlos Cuellar's own goal handed the home side victory.
Poyet said: “It was one of those days when it doesn't matter how you play or what you do because something will happen and go against you.
“I'm very pleased that we don't play Hull any more this season because every time we play them, something happens.”
Brown's premature exit proved to be the pivotal moment in a game which slipped from his side's grasp before it had really begun.
Phil Bardsley's poor back pass put Shane Long in on goal and the former Manchester United defender's efforts to rectify the damage resulted in a sliding challenge which sent the £7million January signing sprawling.
Referee Mike Jones had little option but to show Brown a red card - his third of the season, although one was later rescinded on appeal - but Sunderland were at least spared further punishment as the offence was committed marginally outside the penalty area.
Sunderland’s woes increased with 16 minutes gone when Long headed them in front, and their misery was complete 17 minutes after the restart when fellow new boy Nikica Jelavic scored his first goal for the club.
Poyet summed up: “We can talk about how (Hull) planned the game or how they wanted to play, but at the end of the day, they won because Wes Brown got sent off, that's the bottom line.
“For five or six games, they couldn't win before this one, so something went for them.”
Dan Wright and Martin Smith earn the young Black Cats their first win in four.
Sunderland’s under-18 side got back to winning ways with a well-deserved 2-0 victory over north-east rivals Middlesbrough at the Academy of Light on Saturday morning.
The young Black Cats started the game brightly in very blustery conditions, kicking into the wind.
However, it was the visitors that were the first to threaten as the young Black Cats’ keeper, Peter Burke, had to tip onto the bar after a neat set-piece was volleyed towards goal at the back post.
The hosts were playing much more controlled football, having to keep the ball on the ground as the wind was making long balls difficult.
And the wind played a part in the opening goal as the ball was held up from a Sunderland clearance before Lynden Gooch won the ball in the air and laid the ball out to Dan Wright who lashed a left-footed strike across goal and into the bottom corner.
Boro were pushing for an equaliser using the wind with the long ball forwards, but Sunderland's defence held firm.
In the second half, the young Black Cats seemed to up their tempo and threatened the visitors defence several times before being awarded a penalty in the 75th minute.
Andrew Nelson spun his defender received a push in the back with the referee having no hesitation pointing to the spot.
Martin Smith stepped up to crash home Sunderland's second high to the keeper’s right.
Coach Carlton Fairweather said afterwards: "It was a scrappy game but we got the job done.
“The wind was a big problem; it was quite literally a game of two halves, with us playing much better football in the second half.
“Overall though I thought we deserved the win."
Sunderland: Burke, Ledger, Colquhoun, Beadling, T. Robson (J. Robson, 54), E. Robson, M Smith, Wright, Greenwood, Gooch (Nelson, 70), Blinco (McEvoy, 80).
Sub not used: Pybus.
Youngsters seal 3-0 friendly win at the Academy of Light.
Sunderland’s development squad ran out 3-0 winners in a mid-season friendly against Nottingham Forest at the Academy of Light on Thursday afternoon.
Louis Laing, Charis Mavrias and Ross Holland bagged the goals for Kevin Ball’s side who stepped up their preparations for Monday evening’s Barclays U21 Premier League clash at Everton with a resounding win over the Reds.
Carlos Cuellar completed 45 minutes as the Spaniard continued his recovery from an injury that has kept him out for nearly four months.
Laing gave the young Black Cats a 13th-minute lead when he crashed home a half-volley from the edge of the area.
That lead was doubled just ten minutes later as Lynden Gooch played Mavrias into the channel and, after flashing a shot across goal and onto the post, the Greek youngster tapped home.
Holland added a third 15 minutes from time as he broke behind the Forest defence on the left-hand side and curled neatly into the keeper’s top left-hand corner.
Adam Mitchell and Holland both went close to extending Sunderland’s lead later in the game, though both were denied by good saves.
Sunderland: Pickford, Cartwright (Oliver, 60), Ferguson (T Robson, 45), Ba (Beadling, 75), Roberge (McNamee, 45), Cuellar (Harrison, 45), Mitchell, Laing (Smith, 45), Gooch (Holland, 56), Lawson, Mavrias.
Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic (knee) has joined the club's injury list ahead of their midweek Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland.
The Serbian is not expected to be out long but misses Wednesday's contest at the Etihad Stadium along with striker Sergio Aguero (hamstring), playmaker Samir Nasri (knee) and midfielders Fernandinho and Javi Garcia (muscle injuries).
Key midfielder Yaya Toure is available after escaping retrospective punishment following an off-the-ball incident involving Norwich's Ricky van Wolfswinkel last weekend.
Wes Brown will miss Sunderland's Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester City through suspension.
The 34-year-old central defender will sit out both Wednesday's visit to the Etihad Stadium and Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie against Southampton after being sent off for the second time this season - a further red card was later rescinded in November - in the 2-0 home defeat by Hull at the weekend.
January signing Santiago Vergini is likely to deputise, while fellow defender Carlos Cuellar (hip) and striker Steven Fletcher (Achilles) continue to work their way back to fitness, along with goalkeeper Keiren Westwood (shoulder), who remains on the long-term casualty list.
* Defeat by Chelsea in their last match at the Etihad Stadium ended a run of 11 consecutive home wins for Man City and 61 Barclays Premier League games without failing to score on home turf.
* The Black Cats have kept four clean sheets in their last six Barclays Premier League away matches.
* Manchester City have not lost back to back Premier League home games since December 2008.
* The Citizens have only kept one clean sheet in their last five Premier League home matches, shipping seven goals in total during this run.
* Sunderland have gone six on the road without defeat in the Premier League (W3 D3 L0) - this after winning just one point in their eight PL away games (D1 L7) prior to this run.
* Man City have won just two of the last eight Premier League meetings with Sunderland (W2 D2 L4), with all four of Sunderland’s victories being 1-0 wins.
* James Milner has scored five goals against Sunderland in the Premier League; more than against any other Premier League opponent. This includes his first ever goal in the competition.
* Former Man City man Adam Johnson has had a hand in eight goals so far in 2014 in the Premier League (six goals, two assists); more than any other player.
* Since the start of their title winning season in 2011-12, Manchester City have conceded only four goals in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League games.
* Manchester City have used just 23 players in the Premier League this season; fewer than any other side.
Sunderland’s ambitious Pickford plots progress in Carlisle loan
JORDAN PICKFORD hopes his loan move to Carlisle will push him closer to first-team contention at Sunderland.
England Under-19 stopper Pickford made his debut for the Cumbrians in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Gillingham after joining the League One strugglers on a month’s loan just 24 hours earlier.
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet opted to bring in Argentine international Oscar Ustari on a deal until the end of the season last month, rather than rely on 19-year-old Pickford as back-up to first-choice keeper Vito Mannone.
But Pickford is highly-rated at the Stadium of Light and after spells on loan in the Conference and League Two, the Washington-born custodian hopes his move to Carlisle proves another step up in his development.
Pickford said: “My overall aim is to get into the first team at Sunderland, but I know I need to take things step by step.
“Hopefully that approach will bring success and I’ll get some games for Sunderland.
“I think I’m close to 40 competitive games now, so I just want to get as many more as possible under my belt and hopefully it will all pay off.
“I was only just 17 when I went to Darlington, so that was a really good learning curve for me.
“I was playing in the reserves last season before I got the chance to go to Alfreton in February. I really enjoyed my football there and felt I played well.
“Burton was another step up, which really helped me, so I’m looking forward to this period now.
“Playing games really helps with confidence and as you get into the loan spell you can feel yourself learning and maturing as a keeper.
“You learn when to come for things and when not to, so I think maturity is one of the main things I’m gaining from these loan spells.
“The staff at Sunderland have just told me to do what they know I’m capable of doing. I’ll just keep my head down and be as good as I can be. Hopefully that will bring some good performances.”
Poyet spoke with Carlisle boss and ex-Sunderland midfielder Graham Kavanagh late last week to push the move through, to ensure Pickford could continue his progress with regular first-team football, rather than being limited to the Black Cats’ Under-21s.
Sunderland will cover the bulk of Pickford’s wages at Brunton Park, while there is a 24-hour recall clause in the teenager’s loan deal.
Meanwhile, Pickford’s U21 team-mate Duncan Watmore made his debut for Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian in Saturday’s Scottish Cup upset to second tier visitors Raith Rovers.
Hibs boss, and former Sunderland manager, Terry Butcher admitted Watmore’s display was one of the few positives to emerge from the 3-2 defeat after the 19-year-old penned a loan deal north of the border on transfer deadline day.
“I felt sorry for Duncan Watmore, who was great, but the rest of them were poor,” said Easter Road boss Butcher.
Sunderland chairman Ellis Short dashed Lee Cattermole deal
SUNDERLAND boss Gus Poyet has revealed that it was his chairman Ellis Short who pulled the plug on Stoke City's attempt to sign Lee Cattermole on deadline day.
Poyet has confirmed what Stoke's hierarchy believed at the time - that he persuaded the powers-that-be to U-turn on the £5m sale.
The suspicion at this end is that Poyet didn't want to risk the embarrassment of selling a player to a club that might eventually survive at Sunderland's expense.
“It was a big decision with Lee and it was a credit to the chairman," said Poyet.
“The question was ‘do you need Lee Cattermole?’ I said yes I do. ‘Well he’s going nowhere,’ he said.
“That doesn’t happen a lot in football because it was not easy to turn down that offer.
“That’s when you need someone to ask you the right question at the right time.”
The Sentinel revealed Stoke's desire to sign Cattermole the previous week.
But the timing of the Sunderland v Stoke fixture - two days before the January 31 deadline - forced them to delay their move for the combative midfielder.
But once Sunderland had signed Brighton's Liam Bridcutt after that game, Stoke made their move and believed they had their man... until Sunderland's 11th-hour U-turn.
Sunderland’s Mitchell at the double to deny Everton
Everton U21 2 Sunderland 2 U21
SUNDERLAND fought back from two goals down to gain an away point and extend the unbeaten run of Kevin Ball’s side to four games.
Adam Mitchell’s brace for Sunderland cancelled out Harry Charsley’s two goals and so big was the turnaround in the Black Cats display that they might even have snatched a victory in the closing stages when they were dominant.
Everton went ahead just five minutes in the game when Charsley notched and he extended their lead in the 40th minute when the Toffees hit Sunderland on the counter-attack and he profitted from a pull back from Hallam Hope.
Hope was a threat to Sunderland throughout the first half and the home team could have had more than two goals for their efforts in the opening 45 minutes.
Everton would have been happy with a two-goal lead at the half-way stage but Mitchell reduced the deficit just before the break when a George Honeyman shot deflected into the path of the midfielder, who converted at the back post.
Heavy rain at the Southport FC ground threatened to ruin the game but Sunderland hung in despite Everton starting the second half as positively as they had the first – Hope twice going close before Ethan Jones hit the woodwork with a shot from outside the box in the 52nd minute.
Sunderland rallied and Mitchell forced a save seconds later, as Sunderland worked hard and got on top.
Suddenly it was all about the visitors and they equalised in the 63rd when Smith produced a stunning crossfield pass and Mitchell volleyed home.
They might even have won the game had Connor Oliver not controversially being flagged offside after breaking from midfield in the 70th minute and slotting home.
It was all Sunderland by the end but they could not force that winner.
Coach Kevin Ball though will be pleased by the character his young players showed in coming back from two goals down to keep themselves among the points.
The wind has proven a bit too strong at the Etihad Stadium, as the match has been called off due to safety conditions.
The roads are deemed hazardous around the grounds, and if you are travelling to the game, I would take the advice handed out by Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany...
Game's called off! Make sure you get yourselves home and be safe, weather is terrible! #mcfc — Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) February 12, 2014
Premier League: Sunderland's Gus Poyet describes relegation battle as 'incredible'
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has said that this season's relegation battle will go down to the wire.
No fewer than 11 teams are in the danger of the dropping out of the Premier League, with just four points separating 10th-placed West Ham United from Poyet's side, who are third from bottom at the moment.
The Black Cats can move out of the relegation zone on Wednesday with victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, but the 46-year-old Uruguayan believes that the battle for survival will continue until the final day of the season.
"It's incredible," Poyet told the Chronicle. "I think it's going to go to the wire and I'm not just talking about us.
"I think there are six teams that are going to be fighting right to the end, to the last one or two games.
"The sooner we can get safe, the better, because there are contracts to sort out and players on loan.
"It's very difficult to deal with all that when you don't know what's going to happen.
"We always say that if you go on a good run, you can get out, but if you go on a bad run, you'll be down at the bottom again.
"I think the idea is to make sure we continue to be a difficult team to play against, like we've been for the last two months. Then it will be a surprise if we don't win some games."
---
Manchester City v Sunderland postponed for safety reasons
Manchester City's hopes of returning to the top of the table were hit after their home game with Sunderland was postponed.
It came after the Met Office issued "red warnings" for north-west England and Wales, meaning there was a "risk to life" with widespread damage expected.
City would have returned to the summit had they beaten Sunderland, and Arsenal slipped up against Manchester United.
City captain Vincent Kompany tweeted: "Weather is terrible."
Szczesny starred against United... but who do the stats say is top keeper in the Premier League? (The answer might surprise you!)
Wojciech Szczesny was in impressive form on Wednesday night to ensure Arsenal and Manchester United's big clash ended in a stalemate.
But who would you rate as the best goalkeeper in the Barclays Premier League? Szczesny would have his supporters, as would his opposite number at the Emirates Stadium, David de Gea. Petr Cech and Joe Hart, despite his various clangers earlier this season, would also be top contenders.
According to the statistics, however, none of the above rank as No 1 of the No 1s.
In fact, the man who boasts the top save percentage in the division might shock you. Because top of the stoppers is none other than Sunderland's Vito Mannone.
The Italian was shipped out of Arsenal in the summer, having been deemed not good enough to displace either Szczesny or Lukasz Fabianski between the sticks at the Emirates Stadium.
But, despite Sunderland's struggles near the foot of the table, Mannone currently sits top of the rankings for top-flight goalkeepers this season.
Another signing of last summer, West Ham's Adrian, sits second in the table behind Mannone, while Southampton stopper Artur Boruc completes an unlikely top three.
That will be particularly true to those Saints fans who watched on in horror as the Poland international gifted Olivier Giroud a goal at the Emirates earlier this season with an appalling attempt at a Cruyff turn. And then another. And another.
Check out the top 10 in the table below.
The Premier League's top 10 goalkeepers (according to the stats...)
Player
Saves Made
Goals Conceded
Save Percentage
Vito Mannone
74
16
82.0
Adrian
37
9
80.4
Artur Boruc
49
14
77.8
Wojciech Szczesny
82
26
75.7
Asmir Begovic
73
26
73.7
Tim Howard
64
24
72.7
Petr Cech
57
21
72.7
Jussi Jaaskelainen
65
24
72.4
Simon Mignolet
82
32
71.2
Joe Hart
50
20
71.0