The return of the Tyne-Wear derby to St. James' Park was defined by high-intensity pressing and structural rigidity. Eddie Howe deployed a 4-3-3 that transitioned into a 2-3-5 in possession, utilizing Lewis Hall as an inverted wing-back to create a central overload. Conversely, Régis Le Bris opted for a compact 4-2-3-1, with Granit Xhaka acting as the deep-lying pivot. The opening exchanges were characterized by Newcastle’s territorial dominance, holding 61% possession in the first twenty minutes. However, Sunderland’s defensive block remained disciplined, restricting Newcastle to low-value shots from distance. The breakthrough arrived in the 9th minute when Anthony Gordon exploited a rare lapse in Nordi Mukiele’s positioning; receiving a vertical ball from Joseph Willock, Gordon cut inside and rifled a low effort past Melker Ellborg to make it 1-0. Newcastle’s xG at halftime sat at 0.84, reflecting a half of controlled aggression but limited 'big chance' creation.
Suspension and the Shift in Momentum
The second half was interrupted by a significant non-sporting incident. Referee Anthony Taylor halted play following reports of discriminatory abuse directed at Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida. This 10-minute suspension effectively neutralized Newcastle’s rhythm and allowed Sunderland to recalibrate. Upon the restart, the Black Cats looked rejuvenated, moving their defensive line 12 meters higher to engage Newcastle’s tired midfield. In the 57th minute, the tactical shift bore fruit. A pinpoint Granit Xhaka corner caused chaos in the six-yard box; Aaron Ramsdale failed to command his area, allowing Talbi to bundle the ball home for 1-1. The equalizer shifted the psychological weight of the match. Newcastle’s pass completion dropped from 88% to 74% as Sunderland’s mid-block forced the Magpies into desperate, long-range distribution.
The VAR Drama and Brobbey’s Clincher
As the match entered the final quarter, Newcastle thought they had restored their lead. Malick Thiaw converted a header from a Jacob Ramsey cross, sparking wild celebrations. However, a lengthy VAR review spotted a marginal offside in the buildup, chalking the goal off and further deflating the home crowd. Sunderland’s transition game became the primary threat. Brian Brobbey, who had been an isolated figure for much of the game, began to find pockets of space between Sven Botman and Dan Burn. In the 90th minute, the comeback was completed. Enzo Le Fée, introduced as a tactical sub to add creativity, drove to the byline and cut a sharp ball back into the path of Brobbey. While his initial strike was parried by Ramsdale, the Dutch forward reacted quickest to the rebound, poking the ball home to seal a 2-1 victory. It was a clinical execution of 'smash and grab' football, with Sunderland recording an xG of 1.42 compared to Newcastle's 1.58.
Statistical Deep-Dive: A Tale of Two Transitions
The metrics highlight the efficiency of Le Bris's tactical adjustments. Sunderland finished with only 39% possession but outscored Newcastle in 'fast break' xG by 0.65 to 0.12. Granit Xhaka was the game's silent architect, completing 9 progressive passes and winning 80% of his defensive duels. For Newcastle, the absence of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães was glaring; despite 16 shots, they only managed 4 on target, illustrating a lack of composure in the final third. Defensively, Newcastle’s 'counter-press' was bypassed 6 times in the second half, a significant increase from the single instance in the first period. Sunderland’s ability to withstand 24 crosses while maintaining a 92% clearance rate in the box proved decisive.
Tactical Conclusion
This result marks a historic double for Sunderland over their rivals, moving them up to 12th in the table and leapfrogging Newcastle into 13th. For Eddie Howe, the defeat raises questions about his squad's psychological resilience following their midweek European exit. Newcastle struggled to adapt to Sunderland’s increased verticality in the second half, failing to track the late runs of Habib Diarra and Le Fée. Sunderland’s 4-2-3-1 eventually morphed into a 4-5-1 out of possession, a shape Newcastle simply could not break down after the 60-minute mark. As the Tyne-Wear derby concludes with the red and white half of the North East celebrating, the tactical takeaway is clear: structure and clinical rebounding outweighed territorial dominance and volume shooting.