Sunderland’s unbeaten record against Newcastle United was extended to nine games at St. James’ Park today, but the Black Cats failed to make it seven consecutive wins over their arch rivals.
Jermain Defoe struck just before the break to open the scoring after the visitors dominated the first half, but the Magpies piled the pressure on Sunderland throughout the final 45 minutes and Aleksandar Mitrovic deservedly levelled.
The result leaves both clubs in the relegation zone. Sunderland are two points behind 17th placed Norwich, whilst Newcastle are a point and a place further back but both have a game in hand over the Canaries.
Defoe missed two golden opportunities to give the Black Cats an early lead, blazing a shot over the bar before hitting the side netting. He also failed to reach a Wahbi Khazri cross in time and it went out for a goal kick.
Mitrovic also blazed a chance over the bar before Rob Elliot palmed Jack Rodwell’s excellent header out for a corner.
Newcastle captain Jonjo Shelvey put a free kick wide of the post after Ayoze Perez was fouled on the edge of the area.
Khazri’s corner just before half time found Borini, whose shot was deflected and well saved by Elliot before the rebound fell perfectly for Defoe to volley home.
Italian Borini was a thorn in Newcastle’s side for most of the match, drawing multiple fouls from Jack Colback who was lucky not to pick up two yellow cards in the first half.
After the break the tide turned, with Ayoze Perez’s shot cleared off the line by Yann M’Vila just moments into the second half. Rafa Benitez’s side went on to dominate the second period with Rob Elliot’s 58th minute wonder-save from Patrick van Aanholt Sunderland’s only real chance of the second period.
DeAndre Yedlin’s foul throw allowed Newcastle to break in the 83rd minute, with Wijnaldum skipping past substitute Dame N’Doye far too easily. The Dutchman subsequently put in the cross that Mitrovic headed home after towering over Yedlin.
The home team finished the game with 10 men. Goalscorer Mitrovic was forced off with concussion after coming together with Lamine Koné, despite the Serbian’s wishes to continue. It was too late in the day for it to make any difference to the outcome.
Newcastle United: Elliot, Jaanmat (Anita 71), Mbemba, Lascelles, Colback (De Jong, 62), Shelvey (c), Townsend (Cisse 76), Pérez, Sissoko, Mitrovic
Substitutes: Darlow, Taylor, Saivet, Anita, De Jong, Cisse, Riviere
Sunderland: Mannone, Yedlin, Koné, Kaboul (c) [O’Shea 72], van Aanholt, Kirchhoff (Cattermole 84), Borini, M’Vila, Rodwell, Khazri (N’Doye 75), Defoe
Substitutes: Pickford, Jones, O’Shea, Cattermole, Toivonen, Lens, N’Doye
Booked: Colback (17, Foul Play), Janmaat (36, Foul Play), Shelvey (52, Foul Play), Mitrovic (83, Removing Shirt), Mannone (90, Delaying the restart of play)
Goals: Defoe (44), Mitrovic (83)
Attendance: 52,311
