Wayne Rooney took centre stage on punditry duties after Sunderland beat West Ham United at the weekend.
Alan Shearer refused to take the bait when trolled by Micah Richards about staying quiet on Sunderland during Match of the Day.
The Black Cats were top of the Premier League for around two hours following their 3-0 win over West Ham United. Manchester City thrashing Wolverhampton Wanderers in the evening game saved Newcastle United supporters from a week-long gloat on Wearside.
Newcastle could only muster a goalless draw against 10-man Aston Villa to trail their bitter rivals after one game. The West Ham win was Sunderland’s first top-flight fixture since 2017, with Tyne-Wear derby hostilities set to be renewed at the Stadium of Light in December.
Micah Richards pokes Sunderland bear
Former Manchester City and England defender Richards asked Shearer why he stayed quiet during Match of the Day following the Sunderland game, allowing Wayne Rooney to take centre stage. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he said: “While we’re still (talking about) Match of the Day, Alan, when Sunderland played, why did you not do any of the analysis? Why did you leave it all to Wayne? You didn’t say a word for about four minutes.
Gary Lineker, who left the show at the end of last season after 26 years, defended the Toon icon. He responded: “You know how it works, Micah. Wayne Rooney was given that game. Stop trying to stir it up!”
Alan Shearer fires swipe at Sunderland
Later in the show, Shearer praised Sunderland but could not help himself fire a cheeky swipe at their lengthy top-flight hiatus. He said: “Believe it or not, I've got a few Sunderland pals, and my texts were going this morning, 'For f*** sake, why didn't you say anything positive about Sunderland? You just let Wayne Rooney do all the talking about Sunderland and you just went on about West Ham’.
"Sunderland were brilliant, the atmosphere was great. They deserved their three points. There you go, does that sound alright? Listen, they've been that long out of the Premier League, they forget how Match of the Day works, you see."
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Alan Shearer relishing Tyne-Wear derby
Shearer previously insisted Newcastle’s season will be more exciting now Sunderland are involved. He said earlier this year: “I know I've joked about Sunderland in the past, but in seriousness, it's a much better season, as a player and fan, when you've got the derby to look forward to.
“They're great games to play in, the fans look forward to them, you get away with a little bit more in terms of what you do and how you play. I wouldn't say I'm pleased they got promoted, but in terms of the entertainment of the derby and having it to look forward to, I'm pleased they're back in the Premier League.
“We had the cup game a couple of years ago when Newcastle won comfortably and I'd hope that happens again next season for obvious reasons but, as much as I laugh and joke about Sunderland, they really are good games to play in. As a fan now, I'm pleased they're back but not for any other reason. Hopefully, Newcastle can take six points off them.”
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