Sunday (March 23) brought that all-too-familiar sense of disappointment and almost tangible angst. It had been ten years and two days since the Magpies last welcomed the Black Cats to St James' Park. Although excitement and belief had built, a small dose of lingering fear remained in the air.
"Welcome to the region's capital, you've been gone for so long!" Wor Flags' display read, adorned in the Gallowgate End, facing the travelling Sunderland fans. In the East Stand, an impressive tifo of a defiant Magpie contrasted the opposition's exhibit in the reverse fixture.
The two sides, in the backdrop of newly promoted Sunderland facing off against PIF-backed Newcastle, the former returning to the lions' den after an eight-season Premier League exile, firmly delivered, while the latter, searching for their first Tyne-Wear derby win at home since 2011, having spent a record £241 million on transfers in the summer, firmly dissipated.
Over two games against their fiercest rivals, Newcastle have only supplied us with 15 minutes of decent football. That period came at the start of Sunday's game, with Anthony Gordon neatly scoring after capitalising on a mistake from the Sunderland backline.
As play progressed, the Wearsiders then grew more into the game, with Chemsdine Talbi levelling the tie just before the hour mark. Then, with both teams searching for a winner, Newcastle were caught on the break, and Brian Brobbey duly poking home a 90th-minute winner.
Gordon's tidy finish wasn't enough for Newcastle on Sunday (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
The stats paint a grim picture. Newcastle now sit high atop the Premier League, acrimoniously with the title of most points dropped from winning positions - 22 at this stage. If they had seen out those games, they would be sitting second in the table on 64 points. While taking home the lion's share of possession, 59.9% to Sunderland's 40.1%, Newcastle had fewer shots (17 to 16), fewer on target (4 to 7) and a worse xG (1.27 to 2.45).
Newcastle, as stated in previous columns, are now getting played at their own game time and time again. It is glaringly obvious that the team currently doesn't have an answer when playing a low block, counterattacking style; the very system that garnered Eddie Howe so many plaudits is being used to expose his side.
Newcastle still seems to fare much better when having less of the ball. Without their fulcrum, Bruno Guimaraes, the Magpies hugely struggle to unlock defences and break down opposition that sit back. A new, world-class creator has to be the number one transfer target in the summer, swiftly followed by a new striker.
Newcastle's abysmal 7-2 showing at the Camp Nou can somewhat be forgiven, considering the level of the opposition, but to lose two Tyne-Wear derbies to a newly promoted side is that bit more gut-wrenching.
Club legend Alan Shearer, arguably Newcastle's most iconic hero, called the Magpies' second half "pathetic", "weak", "lazy", and "limp", while Howe told the Athletic: "It's very, very painful. Most of all, it’s painful for our supporters; they are the ones I think about now. I’ve got very little to use as an excuse, and I don’t want to go down that road."
The manager also condemned the discriminatory abuse aimed at Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida during the match, as Newcastle officials vowed to track down those responsible.
"Our stance is clear - we do not tolerate discrimination of any form," said a Newcastle spokesperson.
"We will work with the authorities to fully investigate and will ensure any individuals are identified and held accountable."
In the aftermath, some fans are calling for Howe's head, and while I understand their frustration, I still think those shouts are premature. This is the man who has brought the good feeling back to Newcastle, delivered regular Champions League football and most importantly, the club's first trophy in over 55 years. He deserves at least another transfer window to rectify the mistakes of last summer. He has earned that.
It is now, however, 11 Premier League derbies without a win for Newcastle, an unprecedented, unholy and mortifying run. The latest sting and first home loss of the post-takeover era means revenge will have to wait for yet another season, and will be reflected on and scrutinised during a long three-week international break before Newcastle's next game against Crystal Palace on April 12.
For now, the Black Cats have snatched the Magpies' jewels and take home the spoils of victory.