Nick Woltemade’s calamitous 46th-minute own goal settled a tense Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland beat Newcastle 1-0 in the first Premier League meeting between the fierce rivals since 2016.
Sunderland claimed bragging rights in the Tyne-Wear derby with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Newcastle United at a raucous Stadium of Light, extending their remarkable unbeaten league run against their bitter rivals to ten matches.
Nick Woltemade’s nightmare own goal, just 59 seconds into the second half, proved the difference in a contest that was long on passion but short on quality. The £69m summer signing from Stuttgart attempted to clear Nordi Mukiele’s teasing cross but succeeded only in powering a header beyond the helpless Aaron Ramsdale and into his own net.
A derby for the purists
This was no classic, but for Sunderland supporters who had waited nearly a decade for a top-flight meeting with their neighbours, the result was all that mattered. The match produced the fewest shots (11) and lowest combined xG (0.53) of any Premier League game this season – statistics that tell the story of two teams cancelling each other out.
Newcastle failed to register a single shot in the opening 30 minutes, their worst such spell in a Premier League match since November 2024 against Crystal Palace. Eddie Howe’s side generated an xG of just 0.25 across the 90 minutes, prompting a furious post-match response from captain Bruno Guimarães.
“Unacceptable. Embarrassing,” the Brazilian midfielder said. “We didn’t deserve anything from this game. The intensity, the desire – Sunderland wanted it more than us. That’s not good enough.”
Emotional occasion
Before kick-off, both sets of supporters united in a minute’s applause for Sunderland cult hero Gary Rowell, who passed away on Saturday following a battle with leukaemia. The tribute set the tone for an emotionally charged afternoon.
Régis Le Bris made three changes from the defeat at Manchester City, with Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey coming into the side. The French coach’s tactical setup prioritised defensive solidity, with Granit Xhaka dictating the tempo from midfield and Dan Ballard marshalling the backline superbly.
Newcastle were forced into an early substitution when Dan Burn was stretchered off following a heavy challenge from Mukiele in the 42nd minute. The defender was later taken to hospital in an ambulance with suspected rib injuries, adding to the Magpies’ woes.
Woltemade’s nightmare
The decisive moment came immediately after the interval. Mukiele collected the ball on the right and delivered a curling cross towards the back post. Woltemade, attempting to clear, instead directed a powerful header beyond Ramsdale and off the underside of the crossbar.
It was only the second own goal in the history of this fixture in the Premier League, the first coming from Demba Ba in October 2012. For the unfortunate German, who had struggled to make any impact at the attacking end, it was a moment he will want to forget quickly.
Eddie Howe threw on Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock and Yoane Wissa in search of an equaliser, but Sunderland’s defence stood firm. Robin Roefs made several important saves, notably from Bruno Guimarães’ curling efforts, while Ballard was immense at the heart of the back four.
Sweet revenge
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the home supporters. Sunderland’s players gathered in front of the Roker End and mimicked the celebration Newcastle had performed after their 3-0 FA Cup victory at the Stadium of Light in January 2024 – a moment that had clearly rankled.
“That hurt last time,” admitted man of the match Ballard. “A lot of the players wanted to do it. But the most important thing was three points and winning today. Words can’t describe what this means.”
Historical dominance continues
The victory means Sunderland have now won seven and drawn three of their last ten league meetings with Newcastle – their best run in the fixture since the 1950s. Remarkably, none of Sunderland’s eleven starters were English, a first in the Premier League history of this derby.
The Black Cats move up to seventh in the table with 26 points, their joint-best tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 2000-01. They are now four points clear of Newcastle, who drop to twelfth and face serious questions about their direction under Howe.
What’s next
Sunderland’s unbeaten home record this season remains intact as they prepare to face Brighton at the Amex on December 20. Newcastle, meanwhile, must regroup quickly for the visit of Chelsea on the same day as the scrutiny on Eddie Howe intensifies.
For now, though, the red and white half of the North East can savour another famous victory in one of English football’s most passionate rivalries.
Nick Woltemade’s calamitous 46th-minute own goal settled a tense Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland beat Newcastle 1-0 in the first Premier League meeting between the fierce rivals since 2016.
Sunderland claimed bragging rights in the Tyne-Wear derby with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Newcastle United at a raucous Stadium of Light, extending their remarkable unbeaten league run against their bitter rivals to ten matches.
Nick Woltemade’s nightmare own goal, just 59 seconds into the second half, proved the difference in a contest that was long on passion but short on quality. The £69m summer signing from Stuttgart attempted to clear Nordi Mukiele’s teasing cross but succeeded only in powering a header beyond the helpless Aaron Ramsdale and into his own net.
A derby for the purists
This was no classic, but for Sunderland supporters who had waited nearly a decade for a top-flight meeting with their neighbours, the result was all that mattered. The match produced the fewest shots (11) and lowest combined xG (0.53) of any Premier League game this season – statistics that tell the story of two teams cancelling each other out.
Newcastle failed to register a single shot in the opening 30 minutes, their worst such spell in a Premier League match since November 2024 against Crystal Palace. Eddie Howe’s side generated an xG of just 0.25 across the 90 minutes, prompting a furious post-match response from captain Bruno Guimarães.
“Unacceptable. Embarrassing,” the Brazilian midfielder said. “We didn’t deserve anything from this game. The intensity, the desire – Sunderland wanted it more than us. That’s not good enough.”
Emotional occasion
Before kick-off, both sets of supporters united in a minute’s applause for Sunderland cult hero Gary Rowell, who passed away on Saturday following a battle with leukaemia. The tribute set the tone for an emotionally charged afternoon.
Régis Le Bris made three changes from the defeat at Manchester City, with Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey coming into the side. The French coach’s tactical setup prioritised defensive solidity, with Granit Xhaka dictating the tempo from midfield and Dan Ballard marshalling the backline superbly.
Newcastle were forced into an early substitution when Dan Burn was stretchered off following a heavy challenge from Mukiele in the 42nd minute. The defender was later taken to hospital in an ambulance with suspected rib injuries, adding to the Magpies’ woes.
Woltemade’s nightmare
The decisive moment came immediately after the interval. Mukiele collected the ball on the right and delivered a curling cross towards the back post. Woltemade, attempting to clear, instead directed a powerful header beyond Ramsdale and off the underside of the crossbar.
It was only the second own goal in the history of this fixture in the Premier League, the first coming from Demba Ba in October 2012. For the unfortunate German, who had struggled to make any impact at the attacking end, it was a moment he will want to forget quickly.
Eddie Howe threw on Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock and Yoane Wissa in search of an equaliser, but Sunderland’s defence stood firm. Robin Roefs made several important saves, notably from Bruno Guimarães’ curling efforts, while Ballard was immense at the heart of the back four.
Sweet revenge
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the home supporters. Sunderland’s players gathered in front of the Roker End and mimicked the celebration Newcastle had performed after their 3-0 FA Cup victory at the Stadium of Light in January 2024 – a moment that had clearly rankled.
“That hurt last time,” admitted man of the match Ballard. “A lot of the players wanted to do it. But the most important thing was three points and winning today. Words can’t describe what this means.”
Historical dominance continues
The victory means Sunderland have now won seven and drawn three of their last ten league meetings with Newcastle – their best run in the fixture since the 1950s. Remarkably, none of Sunderland’s eleven starters were English, a first in the Premier League history of this derby.
The Black Cats move up to seventh in the table with 26 points, their joint-best tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 2000-01. They are now four points clear of Newcastle, who drop to twelfth and face serious questions about their direction under Howe.
What’s next
Sunderland’s unbeaten home record this season remains intact as they prepare to face Brighton at the Amex on December 20. Newcastle, meanwhile, must regroup quickly for the visit of Chelsea on the same day as the scrutiny on Eddie Howe intensifies.
For now, though, the red and white half of the North East can savour another famous victory in one of English football’s most passionate rivalries.
