Key stats
- Nick Woltemade's own goal was just the second scored in this fixture in the Premier League, after Demba Ba in October 2012.
- Sunderland have avoided defeat in their last five matches when scoring first in the Premier League, since a 1-5 loss to Chelsea on 21st May 2017.
- It took until the 22nd minute for the first shot attempt of this game (Enzo Le Fee for Sunderland); the longest wait for a game's first shot in the Premier League this season.
Highlights
Analysis
Malick Thiaw received the highest Flashscore rating of the derby (7.7) narrowly ahead of Granit Xhaka who was given the Man of the Match award (7.6).
Match report
Sunderland started on the front foot in the first PL Tyne–Wear derby since 2015, although they struggled to convert their early dominance into clear-cut chances.
In truth, goalmouth action was at a premium for the majority of the half, where physical duels and strong tackles were much more frequent in a bubbling derby day atmosphere at the Stadium of Light, including a late challenge from Nordi Mukiele that ultimately forced Dan Burn off the pitch with an injury.
Granit Xhaka attempted to give the expectant home faithful a long-range effort to celebrate just before the 30-minute mark, but he failed to find his radar as he blazed the ball harmlessly over the bar, reflecting the quality that was lacking from both sides in the first period.
Régis Le Bris and Eddie Howe had much to think about at the HT break, and the latter was given much more to concern himself with when Woltemade handed Sunderland the opening goal within a minute of the restart.
The Newcastle striker misjudged his header in an attempt to block Mukiele’s whipped cross, sending the ball beyond the helpless Aaron Ramsdale and crashing in off the underside of the crossbar to the wild delight of the home faithful.
With his team in desperate need of inspiration, Howe summoned Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, and Joe Willock from the bench with just over half an hour left to play.
The Magpies showed signs of improvement following the alterations, with Bruno Guimarães forcing Robin Roefs into action with a couple of long-range drives. At the opposite end of the pitch, Wilson Isidor threatened to seal the deal when his near-post shot required a strong intervention from Ramsdale.
Time ultimately proved that Sunderland did not need a second, as they held their nerve in a fiery end to the game, clinching a memorable win that moves them up to seventh place, four points clear of their 12th-placed rivals.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
Click here to see all the stats of the match.
Post-match reaction
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told Sky Sports: "It was not our finest game. The effort was there but the quality was not. It was a game of really few chances decided by a freak goal and we could not create the opening we wanted.
"The goal came at a really bad time and was bad in its construction. Nick has not meant to do it but it has decided the game. I thought we had defended pretty well.
"The quality was missing in both halves, we were disappointed with our creative output. There was more intensity and more bravery on the ball after the changes without creating the chances and their goalkeeper was not overworked.
"We know how much this means and all the focus on today was huge. We tried to deliver our best performance and we haven't done that. We feel disappointed in ourselves and that we left something on the pitch and that's a horrible feeling."
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka to Sky Sports: "Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how. This team deserves much more and more respect as where we are in the league is amazing and we're working really hard.
"In the first half we had much more control with the ball but it's normal you don't do it for 90 minutes. After 1-0 the game changed a bit, but we were very good without the ball and we deserved the three points for sure."
Sunderland manager Regis le Bris told Sky Sports: "Proud and happy. It was a derby and we were expected (to win) by our fans. This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.
"During the first half tactically it was really good, just small details about the shape, then it was a question of being more clinical in the final third. We had good control and some times were more patient.
"It was a good level of maturity, so happy for the lads and it is good for our fans. It's good for the region, the club.
"We knew before it was a special game but we have to reset quickly as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week so let's go again."