Sunderland Bow Out With Derby Defeat
The first Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 ended in disappointing fashion for Sunderland as the Vertu Motors-backed side exited the FA Cup at the Third Round stage.
A game against Newcastle at the Stadium of Light was one of the ties of the round, with Sunderland going into the match unbeaten in three and Newcastle having suffered three successive defeats.
In front of a packed crowd, Sunderland ‘keeper Anthony Patterson saved well early on to deny Sean Longstaff before the same player scooped a shot over the bar as Newcastle put the home goal under pressure.
Newcastle thought they should have had a penalty for a challenge on Alexander Isak but eventually hit the front when Dan Ballard put through his own net whilst trying to cut out a cross from the left hand side.
Patterson then saved well from Almiron before half-time but a mistake from Pierre Ekwah shortly after the break allowed Isak to double Newcastle’s advantage.
A stunning long-range effort from Alex Pritchard clipped the bar before he forced Martin Dubravka into a save as Sunderland chased a goal, but a late penalty from Isak rounded out a 3-0 win for the visitors and left the Black Cats to focus on trying to secure promotion from the EFL Championship over the remainder of the season.
High flying Ipswich Town are up next for Sunderland, with a long trip to Suffolk this weekend.