There may have been a lack of talking points in the Manchester derby, but the Wear-Tyne derby wasn’t without controversy, as Sam Allardyce guided the Black Cats to their first win of the season.
Newcastle dominated the first half and should have found themselves a couple of goals ahead following numerous chances to take the lead.
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The home side was forced into two changes in the first half and Jermaine Defoe made an immediate impact as his through ball found Steven Fletcher, who was nudged over by Fabrizio Coloccini.
Referee Rob Madley pointed to the spot and produced a red card for the Argentina defender. Adam Johnson stepped up to the spot to slot home his fourth goal in a fixture he simply adores.
Billy Jones doubled the lead after half time and Fletcher sealed the victory to give Allardyce his first as Sunderland boss.
Speaking to BBC after the match, Allardyce said the decision to send Coloccini off was very harsh.
“It’s a foul and only a penalty. Our fans wouldn’t agree but as a football man I’d like to see the rule changed,” he said.
The win has lifted Sunderland off the bottom of the table, but has not taken them out of the relegation zone.
Sunderland have rode their luck over the past few years, narrowly avoiding relegation in a each of the last three seasons.
The unattractive style that Allardyce implements on his side’s might not be good on the eye, but if he manages to guide the Black Cats to safety, he’ll be acclaimed as a hero.
So for guiding Sunderland to their first win of the season, albeit with some luck, and making it six derby wins in a row for the Black Cats, Allardyce deserves our weekly gong.
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