Sunderland defeated Newcastle United at St. James' Park to make it two wins from two against their arch-rivals this season.
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris celebrates the win over Newcastle United.
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris celebrates the win over Newcastle.
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Sunderland recorded another historic derby-day win against Newcastle United, taking six points from the six available against their arch-rivals. The Black Cats had to come from behind, but were fully deserving of the win based on their second-half performance.
Anthony Gordon had given Eddie Howe's side the lead in the first ten minutes, with the Magpies making a fast start to the game. However, Sunderland weathered that storm and kept the lead to just one goal.
It proved vitally important, and they came flying out of the blocks in the second half, scoring through Chemsdine Talbi just before the hour mark, with man-of-the-match Brian Brobbey scoring late into the game.
Here are the key Sunderland talking points from the Tyne-Wear derby.
Calamity at the back
Sunderland had hoped they'd be able to welcome back the quintet of Robin Roefs, Dan Ballard, Nordi Mukiele, Enzo Le Fee and Reinldo to bolster their XI, but the latter trio were only passed fit enough to feature on the bench.
It was an unfortunate blow and one that Newcastle capitalised on. Elker Mellborg and Luke O'Nien were involved in a calamity at the back, which gifted the Magpies the opening goal of the game.
The Sunderland duo tried to play out from the back with a short goal kick to the Black Cats centre-half, but he got his clearance all wrong, and Howe's side pounced ruthlessly.
It was an absolute gift and so uncharacteristic of Le Bris' side this season. But that's what can happen when you lose the quality from the starting XI, and it could have been more.
Sunderland didn't learn their lessons and carried on trying to play out from the back - unsuccessfully. Fortunately, they were much better after the restart.
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon celebrates scoring against Sunderland
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon celebrates scoring the opener(Image: PA)
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Battling Brobbey makes his feelings clear
Brian Brobbey was the Black Cats' best player, particularly in the first half, causing Sven Botman and Dan Burn plenty of problems with his physicality.
However, Sunderland's number nine also didn't hide his frustration in the first half, with his teammates reluctant to play the ball into his feet when he was winning the battle with the two Magpies' centre-halves.
Brobbey screamed at Lutsharel Geertruida on several occasions for not finding the striker's feet as Sunderland looked to attack.
Instead, Sunderland looked to play it safe on too many occasions. The second half was a lot better from the Black Cats, finding the Dutchman's feet.
His brilliant hold-up play got the Wearsiders up the pitch and if anyone was going to score the winner, it was him. A brilliant display from the centre-forward.
Sunderland's Brian Brobbey celebrates their second goal
Sunderland's Brian Brobbey celebrates the second goal(Image: Getty Images)
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Regis Le Bris' secret message
Sunderland head coach Le Bris was pretty animated on the touchline at St. James' Park, and in a raucous atmosphere, he found an intuitive way to get his message across to his players.
The French head coach repeatedly whistled at his side, demanding they push up the pitch and trigger a press.
In the first half, Sunderland weren't quick enough to press the opposition, and it allowed Newcastle to keep the pressure on the Black Cats' goal.
It was a completely different story in the second half. They responded like a dog reacting to their master on the sideline, they jumped and pressed with such aggression.
Wilson Isidor's remarkable taunt
He may not have made it onto the pitch, but the win against Newcastle wasn't lost on Wilson Isidor. The French striker was seen taunting angry home fans as Sunderland made their way back into the tunnel following celebrations on the pitch..
Newcastle fans were furious by the defeat and Isidor gestured the result to the home crowd as he made his way off the pitch.
The forward was laughing in hysterics as he pointed and gestured towards someone in the crowd. Sunderland certainly had the last laugh today.
Chris Rigg gesture
For all the talk about his childhood growing up as a Newcastle fan, there was no doubt about where his allegiances lay today.
Having taken part in Sunderland's celebrations on the pitch after the final whistle, Rigg went down the tunnel and resurfaced with a phone to record the jubilant away supporters.
The young midfielder made a beeline towards the Leazes end and the travelling Red and White Army, who responded with more chants in a now empty St. James' Park bowl.