NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1):
7 RAMSDALE: Made a fine first-half save from Talbi and did his best to prevent Brobbey from scoring the winner
6 Trippier: Kept Talbi quiet from open play for most of the game, but wasn’t really able to get forward
4 Botman: Had a rough afternoon against Brobbey that ended when he was injured in a clash at the start of the second half
6 Burn: Won a succession of headers and wasn’t afraid of a physical battle against the Sunderland attack
7 Hall: Produced some lovely touches breaking forward in the first half – defensively solid all game
5 Ramsey: Tried to dictate play as he stepped in for Tonali, but wasn’t tight enough to Sunderland’s attacking midfielders
5 Joelinton: Kept his emotions under control, but wasn’t his usual powerful self in midfield
4 Elanga: Didn’t do enough in just over an hour on the field – remains infuriatingly inconsistent
5 Woltemade: Won the ball for Gordon’s goal and produced some nice touches, but still isn’t a natural midfielder
5 Barnes: Flashes of life in the first half, but had dropped out of the game by the time he was replaced
6 Gordon: Took his goal superbly and was always a threat looking to break beyond the Sunderland backline
Subs:
Thiaw (for Botman, 54), J Murphy (for Elanga, 65), Willock (for Woltemade, 65), Livramento (for Trippier, 65), Osula (for Barnes, 76), Wissa (for Gordon, 89)
SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1):
5 Ellberg: Looked a bag of nerves for much of the game with his attempts to play out from the back backfiring
6 Geertruida: Poor in the first half as Newcastle caused problems down their left – much better after the break
5 O’Nien: What was he doing when he set up Gordon’s opener? To be fair, didn’t go under after such a bad early error
6 Alderete: Used his physicality well, especially in the second half – stepped up when Sunderland needed him
7 Hume: Did well against Elanga for much of the game – moving across to left-back doesn’t faze him
8 Xhaka: Excellent once again at the heart of midfield – set the tone for Sunderland’s controlled display
8 Sadiki: Played a key role in shutting down the Newcastle midfield and got forward well on occasion
6 Rigg: Didn’t look out of place on this stage, but wasn’t able to make the kind of impact he would have wanted
7 Diarra: Offered a threat driving forward from midfield and chested goalwards in the build-up to Sunderland’s goal
8 Talbi: Added to his tally of big-game goals and also came close with a fine effort in the first half
10 BROBBEY: A derby display for the ages – bullied the Newcastle defence before scoring a fully-deserved winner
Subs:
Le Fee (for Diarra, 84), Mayenda (for Brobbey, 90+2), Reinildo (for Talbi, 90+2)