SAM ALLARDYCE SECURED his first win as Sunderland boss with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Newcastle United in the Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light.
After Paolo Di Canio, Gus Poyet and Dick Advocaat, Allardyce – who coached Newcastle for less than a year between 2007 and 2008 - is now the fourth consecutive Sunderland boss to record their maiden victory in the role against the club’s local rivals.
Newcastle dominated the opening period but found themselves behind in first-half stoppage time when Adam Johnson converted a penalty after Fabricio Coloccini saw red for a clumsy challenge.
Sunderland made the most of their extra man in the second half, adding a second when Billy Jones tapped home from inside the six-yard box.
The crossbar denied Johnson a second but Steven Fletcher got the third with a fine finish four minutes from time.
Sunderland consequently rise off the bottom of the Premier League table with a record sixth consecutive league victory over Newcastle.
Newcastle took just three minutes to force Costel Pantilimon into a save when the goalkeeper reacted quickly to parry Coloccini’s acrobatic volley from Aleksandar Mitrovic’s flick-on behind.
The Serbian striker went close himself nine minutes later, looping a header from Daryl Janmaat’s cross wide as Steve McClaren’s side continued to apply all the pressure.
Georginio Wijnaldum – scorer of four goals in Newcastle’s previous outing against Norwich City – was next to worry Pantilimon, but the keeper was equal to his low drive from 18 yards after a neat exchange of passes with Mitrovic.
Former Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback was denied by Pantilimon at his near post in the 26th minute and Mitrovic nudged narrowly wide from the resultant corner.
There was no let-up from Newcastle but Sunderland were handed a lifeline in first-half stoppage time when Coloccini barged Fletcher to ground in the box following a counter-attack.
The Argentine was shown a red card and Johnson slotted the subsequent penalty into the bottom right-hand corner before racing to the other end of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Newcastle fans.
Despite having a man fewer, McClaren’s side were denied an equaliser 10 minutes after the interval as Pantilimon raced off his line to block a shot from Mitrovic, the Serbian having cut inside of full-back DeAndre Yedlin.
Sunderland’s advantage was doubled in the 65th minute when Yann M’Vila’s superb volley from the left-hand side of the box was tapped into the net by Jones.
Pantilimon thwarted another Wijnaldum effort before Johnson was denied a second when his curling strike from 20 yards rattled the bar with 18 minutes remaining.
Newcastle fought for a way back into the game but their willingness to attack cost them dearly as Fletcher volleyed home from a lovely Younes Kaboul pass following a swift break in the 86th minute.
The victory was Sunderland’s first of the season, sending them above Aston Villa and Newcastle into 18th.
Stand up and fight!
WE ARE MUNSTER AND WE CAN SING WHAT WE LIKE!!!
3 tries so far – 1 to go !!!
I played for Munster !
Neil you don’t know what your talking about man. Munster has had a famously huge following long before they became one of the biggest clubs in the northern hemisphere, probably started way back when we beat the all blacks. The score line must be making you bitter. Scottish rugby is nothing to brag about you absolute langer.
Crudge – I know what level of support Munster had before, so don’t start telling porkies. My earlier posts were long before Half time, so u saying I’m bitter is ludicrous – especially as I don’t support Leinster or any other province/team. Finally,cheers for ur parting compliment and go fu** urself.
Classy yourself there Neil
Jimmy – I’m not usually in favor of personal attacks, but seeing that none of ye were able to articulate a response and instead decided to use base, vile language I decided to reply in kind. U got a problem with that ?
Neil seriously we need to get you a hammer and chisel so you can make a start on that chip on your shoulder
Feel good about the game today. Good weather for the backs, expecting a bonus point win tbh
Massive win for Munster today and got the bonus point. Come on Munster!
Sweet way to end a game, well done
We got the win and bonus point but the first 60 minutes were far from impressive. Edinburgh were cat, a serious improvement required for Sars!
No doubt Munster fans singing that song about a town in Connacht. Truly awful. Like Cameron in UK who says ‘we’re all in together’ – it just rings hollow. Community my ars*. Up Edinburgh.
Hey, at least we don’t don our jerseys in pretentious stars in competitions they don’t have relevance in!
Idiot
Wank#r !
Better than trying to sing about a 2 bob hooker – Molly !
That’s it Elrat & Jimmy Finn. Ye disagree strongly with my post so resort to abuse. Class ! How many of the so called ‘fans’ supported Munster before the professional era??? Mmm I wonder.
Neil you could say that about any rugby side in Ireland.
Also.thought o connell was,immense he was my man of match over murray
Munster didnt deserve that bonus point but will take it and badly needed as well , we were awful for first 60 minutes simon zebo was only munster player that tried to break the line,.edinburgh were dreadful for a team.that got to the semis last year its.a terrible comedown
Sarries won’t be cacking themselves looking at that, Munster will need at least 9 points from the back to back matches to have any hope of making the Q-final which I honestly can’t see them getting. Go take out a mortgage and stick it on Clermont to win it…..
Its hard to see past Clermont given yesterdays performance. It is finally their year I think too looking at Leinster as well.