The German Striker's Own Goal Ushers In Pantomime Period on Sunderland's Turf.
On numerous occasions, Nick Woltemade appeared profoundly peripheral in the Sunderland penalty area. A difficult outing took a disastrous turn shortly after half-time when he accidentally nodded a cross beyond his own goalkeeper from six yards out.
The striker's unfortunate own goal became the inadvertent match-winner in a fixture full of physical intensity but lacking in moments of real quality.
As he made way, the home supporters gave the clearly crestfallen 23-year-old a mocking round of applause. A popular figure until that moment, Woltemade has now achieved the dubious honour of earning a lasting, deeply sardonic place in mackem hearts.
A City Steeped in Contempt
It may have been the main event in town, the top-flight meeting between these clubs in almost a decade had competition from theatrical production scheduled on the weekend. Less than a mile from the Stadium of Light, the matinee performance of Sleeping Beauty was starting at the Empire Theatre.
The cursed Princess Aurora will have done exceptionally well to have missed the electric, raw din that rumbled across town from the nearby cauldron. The players took to the pitch beneath a huge banner featuring a menacing Sunderland mascot with teeth bared and talons ready.
A Nervous Start from the Visitors
The Magpies seemed intimidated and their extreme caution was plain to see in an opening 45 minutes devoid of great effect. Isolated in attack, Nick Woltemade was given an initial sign this might not be his day when a fellow attacker subjected him to a harsh and verbal rebuke for misplacing a pass.
Like most intense derby matches, the deep-seated animosity between the fans purports to be unmatched in its ferocity. At times during a fractured opening period, the play was reminiscent of a physical contest with bodies falling to the deck theatrically.
A Mixed Day for The Hosts
An auspicious occasion for Sunderland after an eight-season absence from the Premier League was tempered by upsetting news. Word of club legend Gary Rowell's passing after a prolonged sickness had spread through the town.
Before kick-off, a heartfelt and lengthy applause was paid to the former striker with a rapturous reception from the crowd.
In terms of style and playing squad, today's iteration of Sunderland is vastly different to the team easily defeated in a FA Cup match last year. Perhaps a fortunate turn, that grim day paved the way for a well-funded summer revival.
An Impregnable Venue and a Humbling Defeat
In recent years, Newcastle have experienced their own trajectory of ascent. Yet, they have struggled away from home in this campaign. In terms of losses, this was as harrowing and sobering as they get.
They have now failed to beat Sunderland in nine straight league games. This defeat was their fourth consecutive at the away ground, a fortress where the atmosphere could scarcely be more jubilant.
