We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 1 Sunderland 2.
I try not to be too critical of the team but this was unacceptable.
It was a derby – the first one at St James Park for aeons – and it was clear from the atmosphere pre-match that it meant everything to the Newcastle fans.
By the end of the game, Newcastle fans had cleared off, or stayed to boo the team off the park, while Sunderland fans were having the time of their life.
And they deserved it. I’m embarrassed to admit this but Sunderland wanted it more than Newcastle.
They played with passion, bravery and commitment. By contrast, our defence looked petrified, our attack was short on ideas, and our midfield got less effective as the game went on.
We were the better side in the first half but didn’t turn up for the second. It was a woeful 45 minutes.
I can’t bring myself to believe that this Sunderland team is better than the current Newcastle one, especially given that they were without some of their better players. But they merited the three points, as they did in the reverse fixture.
It is my view that in both games, the points went south due to Newcastle’s ineffectiveness rather than anything Sunderland served up.
There were a few mutinous calls for Eddie Howe’s removal as I trudged out of SJP. I’m still with him, but I do think this is the lowest point of his tenure, we need to get back on track, and quick.
Aaron Ramsdale 5
I was surprised to see him start – I thought he might be shellshocked from Barcelona.
He did look a bit nervous, and maybe that contributed to the mackems’ first.
Kieran Trippier 5
Maybe a game too far for Tripps.
He’s been good of late but looked a bit leggy in this game.
He’d run out of steam long before he was subbed.
Sven Botman 4
Brobbey scared him witless, outfought him and outmuscled him.
He did come close to scoring in the first half, but defensively, he looked spooked.
Dan Burn 5
Game as ever, tried to hold things together, but not at his best.
Cleared his lines well, joined the attack when he could, but static for the winning goal.
Lewis Hall 6
Started well, put one right on Elanga’s head, and looked threatening.
But faded in the second half – everyone did – and ran out of ideas.
Jacob Ramsey 5
Looked to be in control in the first half, neat and tidy rather than spectacular, but was a spectator for large parts of the second
Joelinton 5
Didn’t play like Joelinton today, and in the absence of Bruno and Sandro, he needed to.
He’s usually in the thick of things but he wasn’t today
Nick Woltemade 6
There are those who think BNW is a busted flush, but I thought he did well in this game, certainly better than most.
Some nice touches, some good passes, and a piece of quick thinking to set up our goal.
Anthony Elanga 5
Started off well, could have scored with a header.
Put another into the side netting, then disappeared
Anthony Gordon 6
Took his goal well and pressed the sunlun defence hard.
But in common with his teammates, he lost his way in the second half.
He ended up trying too hard, banging in shots which had a low chance of success.
Harvey Barnes 4
I can’t recall a positive contribution he made.
I might be wrong, but I don’t think he had a shot, or made a cross.
SUBS:
Malick Thiaw 5
Did OK when subbed on for Botman but only OK.
He (and I) thought he’d scored but it was disallowed for an alleged infringement by Murphy.
Joe Willock 4
Tried to inject some energy into the game when he came on, but overdid things, and made some poor decisions.
An overambitious pass led to Sunderland’s winner.
Tino Livramento 4
I love Tino but his return to action has been underwhelming.
He struggled throughout his 30-minute cameo, both in defence and attack.
Jacob Murphy 6
Looked lively when replacing Elanga.
Putting a couple of dangerous balls into the box and testing the keeper with a sweet strike.
Was adjudged to be interfering with the keeper when Thiaw netted.
Will Osula 4
Always willing but didn’t affect anything in this game.
Yoane Wissa N/A
Not on long enough to judge.