On Saturday, thanks to a brace from Alexander Isak, Newcastle finally overcame their bitter rivals Sunderland 3-0 in the FA Cup third round, ending a 13-year wait.
At the Stadium of Light, Eddie Howe’s team humiliated their bitter local rivals in the first Tyne and Wear derby since 2016. Dan Ballard scored an own goal in the first half and Isak scored two goals in the second half.
Before this derby, Newcastle had lost six of their last seven meetings with Sunderland. However, a calm performance calmed the enraged Black Cats and gave Newcastle their first derby win since 2011.
Howe was hoping the derby would be a “season-changing” event to help heal the scars from their Champions League departure and dismal Premier League record, after four consecutive losses in all competitions.
To the 6,000 Newcastle supporters who waved their black and white scarves in pleasure at the final whistle, it was all about local pride. Whether or not beating second-tier opponents will prove revolutionary is an open question.
The rivalry between the two teams is undeniable, even if the northeast rivalry isn’t quite as exciting as the derbies between Manchester and north London, which are 14 miles apart.
This week’s strange event involving the redecoration of a stadium bar with Newcastle colors in the corporate hospitality area of the visitors’ support encapsulated the animosity, forcing Sunderland to issue an apology to angry supporters.
A massive police caravan transported Newcastle supporters to the stadium on buses before handing them match tickets in an effort to prevent the violent incidents that have plagued prior meetings.
In order to emphasize the significance of the derby to his internationally constructed side, Howe had recruited the aid of the few Geordies on Newcastle’s roster.
Despite the frenzied match, Newcastle came out on top, so the message obviously resonated.
Both sides’ defenses swarmed the ball in response to the roar and rage from the crowd.
Newcastle secure victory in derby
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland—the brother of Real Madrid player Jude—caught Joelinton with a rough lunge, and the Black Cats supporters could not contain their laughter when Jack Clarke poleaxed Sven Botman.
In the 35th minute, despite the chaos, Newcastle maintained their composure and took the lead when Ballard made a spectacular diving save from Joelinton’s cross, but the ball went into his own goal instead.
Only sixty seconds after halftime, Sunderland let Newcastle double their lead when Almiron pounced on Pierre Ekwah’s sluggish play inside his own half, set up Isak for a 10-yard shot, and the goal was scored.
To put the cherry on top of Newcastle’s triumph, Isak converted a penalty that was granted after Ballard fouled Anthony Gordon in the 90th minute.
Outside of the league Unexpectedly, the bottom-ranked Maidstone United squad advanced to the fourth round with a 1-0 victory against Stevenage.
Stevenage, a team in the third division, is 69 places behind George Elkobi’s Kent club.
But the National League South minnows made history in their first third round participation since 1988 when Sam Corne scored a penalty in first half stoppage-time. Fans swarmed the ground in delight after the final whistle.
As for Saturday’s other early third round matches, Leicester won 3-2 at The Den against Millwall while taking a vacation from their Championship promotion pursuit.
The 2021 FA Cup champions defeated Millwall 3-0 thanks to goals from Cesare Casadei, Ricardo Pereira, and Tom Cannon. Despite resting a number of players, they maintained their ten-point lead in the Championship.
Ipswich advanced to the fourth round of the Championship after a 3-1 victory against AFC Wimbledon. Leicester are currently in second place in the league.
On Saturday, erratic Chelsea will host Championship club Preston in an effort to avoid an upset, while unexpected championship contenders Aston Villa will visit Championship side Middlesbrough.