Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
by Roger Domeneghetti
at Stadium of Light

AND BREATHE… After all the hype, all the anticipation, the first Tyne-Wear derby in nearly eight years was all a bit one-sided, a bit, well, mundane.

The gulf between the Newcastle, a club with a squad that cost around £500 million to assemble, and Sunderland, whose squad cost around £20m, was just too wide for the Black Cats to bridge.

“Let’s be honest, there was a gap between the two teams when they arrived at the stadium today,” said Sunderland boss Michael Beale, “and we weren’t able to close that gap.”

There was no lack of determination or fighting spirit from his players — this was a hard-fought game with no quarter given — however the youthful inexperience of the Championship’s youngest team was clear to see.

Too often, they made the wrong choices. When they made the right ones, they rarely made them quickly enough. What little momentum they had was repeatedly blunted as they pondered on the ball, passed sideways or backward, unable to find the key to unlock Newcastle’s well-organised defence.

The Magpies came into the match on the back of a run that had seen them lose seven of their last eight games, albeit one of those on penalties. Defeat didn’t bear thinking about.

It would have seen them exit the FA Cup in the third round for the fourth consecutive year. Perhaps worst of all, it would have been their seventh defeat in 10 winless Tyne-Wear derbies stretching back to August 2011.

“There’s always relief,” said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, “certainly when you haven’t won in a while. Hopefully we can build on it.”

Despite their run of poor form and injury problems, Newcastle were disciplined and patient in their high-tempo pressing game.

They dominated territory and possession throughout. When they took the lead in the 35th minute, thanks to Dan Ballard’s own goal, it was no less than they deserved.

Within just 32 seconds of the restart, they were two ahead. It was a microcosm of the game. Pierre Ekwah dawdling on the ball on the edge of his own area, Miguel Almiron stealing it from him and crossing to his left, where Isak was waiting to sweep home.

It felt like game over and, but for a very brief flourish from Sunderland, it was.

The easy victory capped by Isak from the penalty spot in the 90th minute.

For now at least, bragging rights returned to St James’ Park.