In the context of how both teams were faring at this stage of the season, the 1–1 draw that was played out between Rafa Benítez’s Newcastle United and Sam Allardyce’s Sunderland was not beneficial for either team. With Sunderland lying in 18th position and Newcastle lying a place – and a point – below their rivals, a win was really necessary for them also.
This derby fixture was littered with mistakes, nerves, and anxiety, with the home side looking particularly edgy in the first half. Sunderland
had been making steady progress under the stewardship of Allardyce and it was clear here as they played like the more unified force. In truth, this was a game we should have won.
It was all the away side who played the game at a greater pace and freedom with Jan Kirchhoff orchestrating most of the good play that Sunderland were providing. Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot was a busy man as we created much of the goalmouth action in the first half.
Jermain Defoe went close as the former England striker fired over on the turn after just three minutes and then into the side-netting after meeting Jack Rodwell’s cross 16 minutes later.
In the meantime, Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot had to turn over Rodwell’s powerful header from a Wahbi Khazri free-kick and Lamine Koné headed over from the resulting corner.
A goal was not far away and it was that man Defoe who put us one up after volleying in after Rob Elliot had saved a shot from Fabio Borini and Chancel Mbemba had failed to properly head clear.
Yann M’Vila preserved Sunderland’s lead three minutes after the restart when he hacked Ayoze Pérez’s shot off the line after Mitrović had flicked on Townsend’s corner, and Mitrović glanced a header into Mannone’s arms from Moussa Sissoko’s cross five minutes later.
But Elliot had to be at his best to keep out Patrick van Aanholt’s stinging 58th-minute effort as the visitors responded, and Benítez moved to change it by sending on attacking midfielder Siem de Jong for left-back Jack Colback.
However, it was Mitrović who eventually did the trick, climbing high at the back post to head Georginio Wijnaldum’s cross past the helpless Mannone.
After the game, Allardyce lamented Sunderland’s inability to score a second goal to hold on to their one-goal lead with this becoming a repetitive theme in the previous few weeks with the team conceding late equalisers. The manager stated that his team were becoming a side that required a second goal to win games as they were always looking likely to concede one.
“For me, if we don’t start getting these clean sheets it’s going to be a massive problem. We are a team that has to score twice to win.
“Sadly we didn’t get the second goal and we conceded late on again. We had the chances to put the game to bed, but missed them.
“Second half, I don’t know why we sat in and let Newcastle come at us. Maybe that was the size of the game, but in the end we haven’t done that and it’s two points dropped.
“We should have won this one. We need four wins from the last eight, so it’s now must-win rather than draw.”
Allardyce was laying down the gauntlet for what was to come for his side over the next while where his team would begin to pick up some fantastic results to fire our way out of trouble as the unified side that was present in this game at St James’ Park was only getting stronger as the season continued.
