Moments you might have missed during Sunderland’s 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Newcastle at the Stadium of Light.
Jobe Bellingham collapsed to the ground as the final whistle blew at the Stadium of Light, as some of his Sunderland teammates placed their hands on their knees.
Losing 3-0 to local rivals Newcastle in the first Wear-Tyne derby in nearly eight years stings this youthful Black Cats side, despite a large turnout from their fans. Here are some of the highlights you might have missed:
There are some familiar faces in the crowd.
Former Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was among those in the sold-out Stadium of Light audience, having attended the Toffees’ game against Crystal Palace on Thursday. Fabio Borini, a former Sunderland attacker who joined Serie B side Sampdoria in the summer, was also present.
A brief stop in action
With 44,814 people inside the Stadium of Light at the start of the game, there was an exciting atmosphere. After heavy tackles from Alex Pritchard and Trai Hume inside the first five minutes, the home crowd erupted with applause, and the game was momentarily halted when the assistant referee’s microphone broke. The contest was quickly resumed, although the interruption disrupted the early excitement.
Aji Alese assists his partner.
Sunderland’s centre-back pairing of Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien performed well to keep Newcastle striker Alexander Isak at bay for the first 35 minutes. The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute, however, as Joelinton’s low cross was turned into his own net by Ballard, with Isak poised to finish at the back post.
Ballard was on the ground with his head in his hands when teammate Aji Alese lifted him up off the ground during a difficult moment.
Roy Keane declares a moment of insanity
Newcastle’s second goal came shortly after halftime, when Pierre Ekwah gave up possession inside his own box to Miguel Almiron, who promptly set up Isak for the conversion.
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Former Sunderland manager Roy Keane stated on ITV’s coverage of Ekwah’s error: “Listen young players, they will only learn from their own mistakes, but when I see defenders trying to beat players in the box or on the edge of the box, I just think it’s madness.” He’s not attempting to pass; he’s trying to beat him, and the game is done.”
Anthony Gordon’s clash with Hume
Hume still had time to collide with Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon midway through the second half after both players tugged on one other’s shirts. Gordon was later arrested after a collision, while Hume, who had previously received a yellow card, was fortunate to avoid a second arrest. As the players moved away, Gordon muttered to Hume, ‘you can have it after’ while pulling his own shirt.
Hemir has returned to the bench.
Sunderland manager Michael Beale picked an unchanged starting lineup after the Black Cats’ 2-0 win over Preston on New Year’s Day. The lone change was on the bench, as Hemir took the place of Eliezer Mayenda. Hemir has been named to Sunderland’s first-team squad for the first time in seven games after contracting an illness during the holidays.
