Kieran Trippier’s sly gesture against Sunderland as the £21 million star from Newcastle United reacts flawlessly to Liverpool’s call
With a 3-0 victory against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby on Saturday afternoon, Newcastle United officially won the North East, although in actuality, those rights have been guaranteed for a while.
The rivalry was put on hold for eight years while Sunderland floundered between the second and third divisions of English football; the FA Cup’s “magic” was the only thing that brought it back. The gap between the two teams has never been greater in the modern era. Although Newcastle entered the game with a seven-game losing streak, Eddie Howe was still able to name a starting lineup worth over £275 million, which is something their rivals in red and white can only dream of.
Experienced players from the Premier League and Champions League faced a youthful, energetic, but ultimately unsophisticated Championship team. Given the differences between the two teams, any rational person would expect The Magpies to win easily. However, as Newcastle has already seen, derby and FA Cup matches frequently defy logic.
This time around at the Stadium of Light, common sense won out, as Newcastle easily won 3-0. A victory over Sunderland felt almost like an unfinished item from Newcastle’s list of goals, despite the team’s return to playing Champions League games and fighting at the top of the Premier League.
However, a brace from Alexander Isak and an own goal from Dan Ballard made sure that box was checked off while maintaining hope of breaking a 55-year trophy drought.
Sunderland were handed an opportunity to humble their rivals by the FA Cup draw. The Black Cats’ so-called free hit saw them fail to lay a glove on Howe’s side.
Even though Sunderland and Premier League teams are only 16 spots apart in the football pyramid, Sunderland was reminded of the talent that these teams possess. In some respects, it was a wake-up call for the Wearsiders as they were shown their proper position while making valiant attempts to succumb to Newcastle’s relentless pressure.
“We haven’t been able to close that over 90 minutes,” Sunderland manager Michael Beale said after the game. “There was a gap between the two sides before the game.”
Newcastle United injury boost and fresh blow
Newcastle’s game was won by the individual battles on the pitch. Bruno Guimaraes pulled the strings with a swagger in midfield as Joelinton bullied his way through the first half, setting up The Magpies’ opener.
But the United No. 7’s derby was brought to a premature end minutes into the second half as he was withdrawn with a thigh issue. Howe described it after the match as the ‘one negative’ to come from the day as Newcastle’s midfield had to regain their control of the match.
When the team news was announced at 11:45 am, the match between Sunderland’s luckiest player, Jack Clarke, and Kieran Trippier, who was returning from injury, may have been the most fascinating individual match of the day. The 33-year-old England international has been through a trying time lately, and the Sunderland supporters heckled him the whole game.
In the best way conceivable, though, Trippier countered by totally neutralizing Clarke and offering a creative danger on the other end of the pitch. Although the Newcastle captain for the day mostly let his game speak for itself, he couldn’t help but respond to Sunderland fans with a playful point to the scoreboard.
Miguel Almiron ‘back to his best’
When it comes to athletes returning to their peak, Howe had the response he was hoping for from Miguel Almiron when the winger was benched at Liverpool. In previous games, Almiron’s judgment and skill in the closing third have been called into question and critiqued, but not this time.
The Paraguayan put on an all-action show, chasing the ball like a resolute seagull seeking cheap chips on Roker Beach. He stole the ball from Pierre Ekwah to set up Isak for Newcastle’s second goal, which was the perfect example of that.
“Miggy was physically very good and back to his best levels,” Howe said. “That’s no criticism of him as he’s played almost every minute of every game but he’s given his all, as he always does.
“He’s such an incredible person and I’m delighted that he got that individual award really with the assist. It was a clinical bit of play from him and Alex gets his reward with the goal and we know how important that second goal was.”
On the opposite flank, Anthony Gordon caused problems for Sunderland’s defence as they resorted to fouling their opponents. Fittingly, the biggest cheer of the afternoon from the home end came when Luke O’Nien smashed into teenager Lewis Miley.
But that overly physical approach would still come back to bite the Black Cats as Ballard was penalised for a foul on Gordon inside the penalty area. Isak promptly stepped up to etch his name into Tyne-Wear derby folklore from the spot – becoming the first Newcastle player to score a brace at the Stadium of Light.
A derby to savour for Newcastle United
Newcastle has finally won another derby. One that puts them ahead of Sunderland in the series’ all-time wins.
Overall, historically, there hasn’t been much to decide between the parties. Few Tyne-Wear derbies have seen a team be as dominant as Newcastle was at the Stadium of Light, despite the fact that both sides have had more disastrous outcomes in this rivalry.
That brings with it a true, savorable sense of catharsis for The Magpies. And relish it they shall, as who can predict when the next Derby will take place?
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