Sunday 27 October 2013

Sunderland 2 Newcastle United 1


Steven Fletcher heads Sunderland in front against Newcastle
Fabio Borini's dramatic late strike helped Sunderland beat Newcastle and secure a first win of the season which lifts them off the bottom of the Premier League table.
The home side took the lead when striker Steven Fletcher headed in Adam Johnson's cross after five minutes.

But Johnson let Mathieu Debuchy run in and slot home the equaliser following Hatem Ben Arfa's effort across goal.
Sunderland were not to be denied and Borini powered in a 25-yard winner.
"Newcastle were well on top for long periods in the second half. But this is the type of result that can turn Sunderland's season around."

The celebrations at the final whistle from Sunderland boss Gus Poyet, his players and the packed home support at the Stadium of Light illustrated the importance of the victory.
Not only was it a second successive victory against the Magpies, but one they hope will kick-start a push up the table.

Newcastle were embarrassed 3-0 by the Black Cats in April and, although they gave a better account of themselves this time around, the manner of their fourth defeat of the season will have come as a painful blow.
A key part of Poyet's tactics was to expose Newcastle's central defensive problems with the Magpies missing Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

The plan took five minutes to come to fruition as Johnson clipped a cross to the far post where Fletcher overpowered inexperienced centre-back Paul Dummett to head the hosts into the lead.
The Black Cats were dominant and a well-struck Fletcher shot was also parried by goalkeeper Tim Krul. Dummett hesitated in clearing the loose ball but Sunderland forward Jozy Altidore failed to capitalise.
The home side's attitude and application had given them the upper hand and their tenacious play limited the visitors to ambitious shots from distance in the first half.

However, Sunderland's inability to maintain their level of performance and concentration has been a weakness this season and Newcastle exploited this after 57 minutes.

Ben Arfa struck a low shot from the corner of the area and left winger Johnson allowed Debuchy to arrive unmarked at the far post and slot in an equaliser.
It nearly got worse for Sunderland when Yohan Cabaye curled a shot just wide as the visitors quickly threatened another goal.

Poyet introduced on-loan Liverpool striker Borini, and the 22-year-old almost had an immediate impact when his shot squeezed through Krul's legs before the Magpies keeper recovered to gather the ball.
But, after Shola Ameobi sent an effort wide at the other end, Borini latched on to an Altidore lay-off and launched a rising shot past the despairing dive of Krul to seal Sunderland's victory and inject new optimism into the club ahead of forthcoming league fixtures against Hull, Manchester City, Stoke and Aston Villa.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew:
"I thought we were the better team. We just switched off and [Borini] has hit it true. We are really disappointed.
"I'm just disappointed for everybody at Newcastle.
"We will have to bounce back and be strong. This is always a high-profile game and we have lost it."

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