OTD: 2-1 V MAGS (2013)

On this day in 2013, Sunderland beat Newcastle 2-1 with goals from Steven Fletcher and Fabio Borini. A wonder strike from the then loanee Fabio Borini completed what would be the second win in the legendary ‘6 In A Row’ over the Magpies.

This win over the Mags would help Gus Poyet’s side finally ascend up the Premier League from 20th for the first time that season and helped Gus turn around the fortunes of the team in the attempt to pull off a “miracle”.

Sunderland got their head in the game quickly, just five minutes into the fixture Steven Fletcher nodded home to send the Lads 1-0 up, reaping the rewards from the fast start.

Fletcher, elated with his goal was mobbed by his fellow teammates before they all jumped into the crowd to celebrate with the fans. The Italian received a yellow card for his ‘excessive’ antics, no regrets.

The tactics that SAFC had set out for themselves were to exploit their weak centre back options; Newcastle were missing key players in the defence such as their captain Coloccini, which frustrated our rivals throughout the first half.

Despite our dominance from the off, Newcastle hit back in the 57th minute, equalising through full back Mathieu Debuchy. Ben Arfa’s low struck shot made its way across the box and Debuchy was ready to poke it in at the far post, unmarked.

Gus brought on Liverpool loanee, Fabio Borini, and he was given a few good chances but we had to wait until the dying minutes to see something special.

Fletcher won a free kick on the halfway line which was taken quickly and Sunderland kept up the fast tempo when passing the ball. We worked it to Jozy Altidore who shifted it off to Borini (was it a heavy touch or a pass?) on the edge of the box. The Italian whacked it into the top corner, running away with his teeth cemented in his hand into the crowd with Jack Colback jumping on his back along with every Sunderland fan in that corner of the stadium.

To combat this strike from the heavens, Alan Pardew brought on Sammy Ameobi but it was to no avail as the game would end in a 2-1 Sunderland victory. It was also our first league victory of the season. With this goal, Borini had forever positioned himself into Wearside folklore and fans still look back on the majority of his time with the club fondly.

Sunderland Starting XI: 20 Keiren Westwood, 2 Phil Bardsley, 3 Andrea Dossena, 16 John O’Shea, 24 Carlos Cuellar, 33 Lee Cattermole, 7 Seb Larsson, 11 Adam Johnson, 14 Jack Colback, 17 Jozy Altidore, 9 Steven Fletcher.

Subs: 25 V Mannone, 8 C Gardner, 12 O Celustka, 29 V Roberge 4 K Sung-Yueng, 23 E Giaccherini, 31 F Borini.

Newcastle Starting XI: 1 Tim Krul, 36 Paul Dummett, 3 Davide Santon, 6 Mike Williamson, 26 Mathieu Debuchy, 4 Yohan Cabaye, 7 Moussa Sissoko, 24 Cheick Tiote, 10 Hatem Ben Arfa, 14 Loic Remy, 11 Yoan Gouffran.

Subs: 21 R Elliot, 19 M Haidara, 8 V Anita, 9 P Cisse, 25 G Obertan, 23 S Ameobi, 28 S Ameobi.