Ed reports from the Gallowgate on a dark, disappointing, dismal day.
Cowardly, unimaginative, disjointed, shoddy, lackadaisical, embarrassing. Whichever way you look at it, this was a significant low point for Newcastle United and for Eddie Howe, as the home side turned in a performance for the first St James’ derby in a decade that can ultimately only be described as completely and utterly unacceptable.
United started poorly and got progressively worse. Sunderland were full of running and didn’t ever let Newcastle settle on the ball. However, instead of finding ways to play through the press or tire out the opposition, time and again United allowed themselves to get flustered and frustrated, and in a manner that has become far, far, far too familiar this season, repeatedly sacrificed possession.
Even when we scored, it was down to a gift from the visitors. Quite what Luke O’Nien was thinking when he passed a goal kick straight to Woltemade after 10 minutes, I doubt anyone will ever know. But Big Nick did well to capitalise and find Gordon, who in turn applied a couple of neat touches and a very tidy finish.
Cue the release of a vociferous and primal joy that had been bubbling beneath the black and white surface since the first bars opened in town at 7.30am - and probably much longer. It was exactly ten years and two days since United fans last saw a home goal against this lot (scored by Alexander Mitrovic) and the roar that reverberated around the ground when Gordon ended that drought felt seismic and historic in equal measure.
Eddie had spoken pre-match about the importance of this fixture, and certainly the players can have been in no doubt about what was expected of them as they walked out of the tunnel and faced a giant tifo winched in front of the East Stand, depicting Newcastle landmarks and a seemingly demonic magpie.
But as it was, neither the pre-match spectacle nor the gift of an early goal were enough to wake the drowsy home side from their slumber. Elanga hit the side netting and Botman hit the post but in truth Sunderland never looked overly worried. At the other end Talbi forced Ramsdale into a decent save with a curling shot from range, as the two teams began to cancel each other out.
Half time came with a growing sense that the next goal would be crucial. Despite United having recently held onto a 1-0 advantage for over an hour against Chelsea in their last league game, no one of a black and white persuasion was under any illusions about the fallibility of the home side, especially when in possession of a lead.
[True Faith - Independent NUFC Fanzine
Derby Days - Memories at St James’!
Spoiler alert, I hate these matches. I’m going to hate this next one on Sunday too because it’s a throwback to when all we had to play for was the so called pride of beating a perennially shite yo-yo team from down the road. The very definition of two bald men fighting over a comb…
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3 days ago · 20 likes · 18 comments · Michael Martin](https://tf1892.substack.com/p/derby-days-memories-at-st-james?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web)
Any reservations or concerns from the home fans proved to be wholly justified, as what followed the break was 45 minutes of abject, disenfranchising shite from a playing squad who only a year ago were heralded as living legends. They were second to every ball, consistently out position, lacked energy and incisiveness and frankly deserved absolutely nothing.
Despite the supposed imposing nature of United’s defenders and elder statesmen, they conspired to concede a goal from a set piece for third time in just in four days - Talbi the beneficiary of a chaotic attempt to defend a corner on the hour mark.
Elanga, Trippier and Woltemade were sacrificed in a trio of predictable changes, with Tino, Willock and Murphy replacing them. Murphy was the only one to make much of an impact, but his directness and willingness to cross would surely have yielded more success had our big German still been on the pitch. Willock was his usual anonymous self, running the ball out of play when under no pressure, and Tino continued to look for all the world like a man with his mind on a move.
It feels crass to single our the subs when in fact I could go through every player and deliver a damning enticement. Hall, in particular, looked a shadow of his previous self, and after Botman was withdrawn with an injury the entire back line looked misshapen and disjointed. The midfield was non-existent, Joelinton doing a lot of running but played around far too easily, and totally anonymous in the second half. Barnes was replaced by Osula towards the end, neither player doing anything to trouble the visitor’s second choice keeper. The less said about Yoane Wissa, the better.
Despite the insipid nature of the second 45, United thought they’d snatched it with a Thiaw header from a corner, but the wild celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag. Rather than fire up the home team, it was Sunderland who ramped up the impetus, and just as the clock ticked over to 90, Brobbey won it with a scrambled finish on a rebound.
Neither Howe nor his team can have any complaints, and this was just desserts for a complete no-show at one of the biggest occasions of the season. Those who have been calling for a change in the dugout will rightly fill their boots at this point, and it certainly appears we can add an inability to perform in derbies to the manager’s inability to perform against Bournemouth, or to turn in any kind of performance when playing away at a big club.
Even a seven-game winning streak to concluded the season shouldn’t be enough to quieten the questions around Howe’s future, and if the new CEO and DOF have anything about them, then a shortlist for replacement candidates should already be drawn up. Until that decisive moment comes, there will be those who back the manager no matter what, and that stance has to be respected. But this felt, and feels, increasingly terminal
The near 50/50 split of boos and applause emanating from the Gallowgate as Howe led the appreciation lap was symptomatic of a fanbase and a club at odds with itself, and seemingly at a major crossroads. It feels poignant that today is the day we hand over custody of our silver pot - this performance felt brutally chapter-ending, as though both the team and the club had lost all momentum, and were crying out for a new beginning.
Whether this new beginning is initiated in the boardroom, in the dugout or on the pitch - it is nonetheless essential.
To quote Damon Albarn; ‘this is a low’.
The last word must go to Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida, who - if reports are accurate - was subject to racist abuse from someone in the home crowd in the first half, an incident that led to the game being paused. For that to happen in this day and age is beyond reprehensible and more sickening that a thousand derby defeats. I hope the individual concerned is identified and banned from all grounds for life. Racists are not welcome at my club, in my city, or anywhere.
Ed Cole
@edsamuelcole.bsky.social