A real struggle....
Newcastle United 2 Sunderland 0
Derby games are hard enough but when you are a goal down after 4 minutes then they are doubly so.
And this was exactly the case here. McShane could well be questioned for the first goal but credit must be given to Michael Owen who made a fantastic late run and scored with a marvellous header. This gave Newcastle and their fans a massive lift and, to be fair, they had the better of the rest of the half although their second was dubious to say the least. Higginbotham's rash challenge on Owen could have resulted in a penalty but for the spot kick to be given for hand ball was harsh, to say the least. Even then luck was against Sunderland when Gordon got behind the kick but the ball squirmed across goal and landed just inside the box.
Two down at the break, it was the proverbial uphill struggle but the red and whites put in a good shift throughout the second half although chances were few and far between. The best chance fell to the hard-working Jones but his header was too central and Harper made the save.
So Sunderland will have to wait till next season to get their revenge provided they are still in the top flight which, despite this setback, is looking more and more likely.
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