A late Asamoah Gyan strike was enough to salvage a point for Sunderland on Sunday afternoon against the Mags at the SOL. In a game where we were promised a response after the Halloween horror show Sunderland failed to deliver and were lucky to nick a point after failing to perform yet again on the big local stage. Kevin Nolan struck first early in the second half before Asamoah Gyan deflected a fluky equaliser deep in injury time.

As ever the build up for the derby began straight after the previous weekend’s games where both sides crashed out of the FA Cup to lower league opposition. Speculation over who would and wouldn’t be fit increased throughout the week and then Steve Bruce revealed he had picked out a song to play at full time should the lads be victorious (that backfired Steve).

Cheik Tiote had his appeal against a three game ban rejected after seeing red for a reckless tackle in the Stevenage game meaning he would miss the derby whilst Friday afternoon saw the latest Cockney Mafia recruit reveal Andy Carroll would also miss the game due to injury. An injury allegedly sustained after falling from a bar stool in a casino on Tyneside, the latest in a very long line of embarrassing stories to emerge about a player representing the Scum. I say it was embarrassing, the most embarrassing part of the story was the feeble amount Carroll drank before falling, six bottles of Peroni, a Jagerbomb and a Babycham, lightweight.

From our point of view the noises regarding injuries were all positive with Onuoha passed fit whilst Welbeck and Cattermole were rated at 50/50. Bolo Zenden having served a one game suspension after his red card at Villa was available again which gave Bruce a selection headache regarding the engine room, given we comfortably lost the midfield battle in that game earlier this season. Would he go with youth or experience?

It turned out Bruce didn’t really have a choice as neither Welbeck nor Catts were fit which meant the side literally picked itself. Gordon in goal behind a back four of Bardsley, Ferdinand, Bramble and Onuoha. Malbranque started on the left with Elmo on the right, Richardson and Henderson in the middle. Up front Bent and Gyan.

The first half began in frantic fashion; Shola Ameobi wasted a great chance when he fired wide after two minutes after waltzing through the Sunderland defence. Soon after Darren Bent found himself in a similar position at the other end but his volley was saved by Steve Harper.

There were a couple of flare ups after challenges, Bramble and Nolan squared off after Titus clattered him, and then Alan Smith got involved after he was tackled by Richardson. Smith was soon subbed for an injury but he managed to tell the crowd round the dug out to F*** Off before walking down the tunnel. I wonder if MOTD 2 show that.

To be honest after half an hour it was apparent that the lads’ had again bottled the game, despite the best efforts of Henderson and Richardson, Sunderland were out thought and out fought in the midfield while Ameobi and Best caused problems up top though just before half time Henderson had a shot from long range which was well blocked.

After the breaks the Mags took the lead when Joey Barton’s corner was eventually flicked in by Kevin Nolan. Ameobi got up highest to the corner to glance into the path of the midfielder who turned the ball over the line before celebrating in front of the unwashed. Just prior to this we had a half chance to take the lead after Bent raced through on goal but he hooked his shot over Harper but wide of the post. They went close moments later when Gutierrez flashed across the six yard box which was too far in front of Best.

Despite the best efforts of Sunderland the Mags were comfortable for most of the game as we resorted to hitting long balls forward to Bent and Gyan. The professionalism of Barton, Nolan and co soon surfaced as they used every trick in the book to win fouls and waste time whilst naively Sunderland squandered possession too easily in an attempt to get level.

With the game looking lost Bruce through on Zenden for Onuoha with Elmo dropping to right back. The change didn’t really make much difference and Ameboi went close heading over after Barton’s cross. With five minutes of injury time to play Bruce threw on Colback for Elmo and somehow we got an equaliser. Bardo’s shot ricocheted off Harper before bouncing back off Gyan and into the net with hardly any time remaining.

Call me miserable but the scenes of jubilation at the end were hard to stomach as though it was good not to get beat at home neither fixture against them this season has been enjoyable and there is no question we were poor again today.

Cue a load of interviews this week stating how we’ll get revenge next time. Talk is cheap lads.

Final Score: Sunderland 1 Newcastle 1

ALS Man of the Match: Phil Bardsley

Aidan Crowe

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