Sunderland manager Mel Reay praised the record crowd of the Tyne-Wear derby, but said "these can't be novelty games." Shania Hayles scored [the only goal of the game in the 77th minute](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-women-sunderland-live-31259291) as Becky Langley's side recorded a league double over their North East rivals.
Despite the defeat, Sunderland chief Reay hailed the occasion, but said playing in front of large crowds has to happen more often. More than 38,000 people packed into St James' Park.
She said: "I think it was a fantastic occasion for everyone in the North East. For me now, these can't be novelty games, it has to be something that is more consistent throughout the game.
"We shouldn't just be looking at one game a season where we are playing in front of a large crowd. The players and everyone in the game deserves to be playing in front of better crowds every week."
A record Championship crowd of 38,502 were extremely vocal and created a fantastic atmosphere inside St James', with Reay praising the Sunderland faithful.
She said: "I thought the [Sunderland](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/sunderland) fans were terrific in the corner, we heard every single one of them and we want to thank them for coming to St James' to support the team because it was noticeable that they were there and that was important for the team."
Reay also added that playing in front of larger crowds was becoming normalised in the women's game, but stressed that it should be happening more often. She said: "We played in front of a large crowd at the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light, played in front of a large crowd at St Mary's.
"I think it's becoming a bit more normalised, but these games can't be a novelty. We have to play in front of large crowds more often."
Newcastle manager Becky Langley was unavailable for comment post-match as she received a red card during the game. That meant Langley was barred from media duties.