Newcastle players avoid media as Sunderland complete comeback in fiery derby | OneFootball

Sunderland mounted a second-half comeback to win at St James’ Park in a fiery Tyne-Wear derby. According to Sunderland Echo, Newcastle did not put any players forward to speak to the written media afterwards.

Before kick-off, Sunderland owners Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Florent Ghisolfi and Juan Sartori were pitchside. In the home end, a banner proclaimed the region’s capital and told Sunderland they had been away for a long time.

An early error from Luke O’Nien gifted Newcastle the lead. Chemsdine Talbi forced Aaron Ramsdale into action and Chris Rigg shot over, while Anthony Elanga hit the side netting and Sven Botman headed against a post. Tempers flared as the referee warned both benches after Trai Hume’s late challenge sparked a confrontation involving Joelinton and Omar Alderete, and Granit Xhaka’s frustration was clear.

Referee Anthony Taylor halted play early in the second half after reports of discriminatory abuse towards Lutsharel Geertruida, causing a delay of about three minutes as he consulted both benches, Geertruida and Xhaka. Sunderland levelled soon after, Talbi pouncing after Ramsdale failed to deal with a punch and Dan Burn had cleared Brian Brobbey’s effort off the line.

Brobbey later forced in the winner from close range after his first attempt was saved. Sunderland revelled with their travelling support while Newcastle completed a subdued lap. Rigg lingered to savour it, saying he certainly could when asked if he could be called a Mackem, as Sunderland sealed their first league double over their rivals since 2014-15.

Source: Sunderland Echo