Match Reports

Magpies Silenced Again

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Fabio Borini silenced the Newcastle fans at the Stadium of Light this afternoon when he rifled home from the edge of the box to give Sunderland a 2-1 win.

It was Sunderland’s first win of the season and may go a long way to lifting the club’s fortunes after a very poor start to the season.

The Italian was introduced in the 68th minute and grabbed the winner with a powerful 85th-minute strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Steven Fletcher had already given the home side the lead after just five minutes, but Newcastle pulled level in the second half just before the hour mark and although Shola Ameobi came close to winning the game for Newcastle, but it was Borini who stole the show and secured three points for the home side.

The win sees Sunderland move off the bottom of the Premier League table and be replaced by Crystal Palace.

Gus Poyet fielded quite a different side than the one that suffered so badly at Swansea, Andrea Dossena and Carlos Cuellar came into the defence, Jack Colback was selected in central midfield and striker Jozy Altidore replaced joint top-scorer Emanuele Giaccherini.

Sunderland made the perfect start to the game when a corner that came straight from the training ground worked perfectly and Fletcher got on the end of Johnson’s cross and headed home at the far post.

The early threat by the Magpies was nothing to worry about, just long range efforts from Yohan Cabaye, his first effort flew over the bar and then a free kick was saved comfortably by Westwood.

Sunderland almost created a second goal midway through the half, but Fletcher saw his effort saved by Krul in the Newcastle goal.

At the start of the second half Newcastle brought on Papiss Cisse and they were a bit more of a threat and that paid off thirteen minutes after the restart when Ben Arfa`s low cross evaded everyone inside the penalty area except Debuchy who tapped the ball home at the back post.

Yohan Cabaye then fired in a shot that was just wide of the target on the hour mark.

Then Poyet decided to bring on Borini who’s first action was to find space in the area and put the ball through Krul’s legs only to see the keeper react very quickly and make the save.

But he was to have the last say when a flowing move by Sunderland was finished off by Borini who fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net which triggered mass celebrations that carried on until well after the final whistle.

Sunderland: Westwood, Bardsley (Celustka 77), O’Shea, Cuellar, Dossena, Larsson, Cattermole (Ki 70), Colback, Johnson (Borini 69), Altidore, Fletcher.

Subs not used: Mannone, Gardner, Giaccherini, Roberge

Newcastle: Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Dummett, Santon, Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran (Sammy Ameobi 86), Ben Arfa, Sissoko (Cisse 46), Remy (Shola Ameobi 70).

Subs not used: Elliot, Anita, Haidara, Obertan

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)

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3 comments

  • Rick Oshea says:

    We’re on the move at last and it couldn’t have come against a nicer bunch of bellends

  • Shop Lifter says:

    Colback was immense followed by Altidore and Catts. O’Shea shone in defence.

  • Burntface Man says:

    No idea where the performance came from! Before the match everyone was twisting about the team selection on the concourses and expecting to get thrashed. Atmosphere was class and most people stopped until the end which was brilliant

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