Derby Day
12 November 2007
Sunderland 1 Newcastle 1
As you expect in the Tyne-Wear derby it was a high octane affair with not a lot of class but plenty of effort--and panic, especially in the Newcastle box whenever a cross came in!
There is no denying that Sunderland were the better side and had they gone in at half time a goal or two ahead nobody could have complained.Gary Leadbitter could have become a hero overnight, having one effort cleared by a sprawling Smith and one great headed chance that he put over the bar. Kenwyne Jones again put in a great shift and only some last-ditch defending by the battling Faye kept him at bay.
Newcastle scrambled their way to half-time which came just as Joey Barton needlessly kicked Dickson Etuhu in the groin area. I have heard people talk about "the tackle" but this was not a tackle, it was just a blatant kick. Barton is a lucky man but may not be if the F.A. pursue it.
Obviously Newcastle had not learned from their first-half mistakes when players were constantly left unmarked at the back post, because it happened again when Leadbitter crossed and Higginbotham ran in unchallenged at the back post to gleefully head home. Cue for Newcastle to have a go. Maybe I am too simplistic but surely you don't have to lose a goal to make you start going forward? Why not start that way and have a go at winning the game from the off. It was the exact same scenario at Derby and Reading. At this stage only one team looked like winning the match but, with a touch of good fortune, The Toon got back into the game when Milner played a lovely one-two and came back on to his right foot to cross. What looked like a dangerous ball into the box actually became the equaliser when everybody missed it and it sneaked in off the far post.
Newcastle did then play a bit but the best chances still fell to Sunderland, the best two falling to Jones who slashed wide and Chopra who headed against the bar with what was probably the best chance of the match.
Not a classic but Roy Keane must be disappointed whilst, deep down, big Sam must be heaving a big sigh of relief at stealing a point.
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