Since a 1-1 stalemate at St. James Park in March 2016, Newcastle United and Sunderland have not played in the Premier League. Aleksandar Mitrovic and Jermain Defoe scored the goals.
Steve Howey, a former defender for Newcastle United, is enthusiastic about the reintroduction of Tyne-Wear derbies in the Premier League as a result of Sunderland’s reentry into the top tier.
Since 2016, the Magpies and the Black Cats have not faced off in the top division of English football. At St. James Park, the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw after an equalizer from United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic cancelled out a Jermain Defoe strike. Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship was officially verified several weeks later, and Sunderland had already experienced their own relegation by the time Rafa Benitez led the Magpies back to the Premier League just 12 months later.
When the two teams were paired in the FA Cup third round in January 2024, there was a glimpse of what supporters on both sides of the divide had been missing. Eddie Howe’s men secured a 3-0 victory at the Stadium of Light, thanks to a Dan Ballard own-goal and a brace from United striker Alexander Isak.
It is the renewal of one of the oldest rivalries in English football that has truly whetted the appetite for an exciting campaign, as thoughts have immediately shifted to meeting the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City in the Premier League next season.
Sunderland’s return to the Premier League is a positive development for the Wearside-born Howey, who was unblemished in four Tyne-Wear derby appearances during his tenure with Newcastle. He cautioned that Newcastle cannot afford to underestimate their local rivals, given the unpredictable nature of a derby.
He stated to The Gazette, “When I was playing, you always considered the first game of the season and the upcoming derby games.” It was the same when I was at Manchester City, and it is beneficial for the fans. Not only does the promotion of Sunderland benefit the region, but it also has a positive financial impact.
“Newcastle fans will be exceedingly optimistic; however, it is a derby, so anything can happen.” It is always challenging for a team that has recently been promoted; we have observed this in the past few years as the teams that have risen have been immediately relegated. However, a derby is a derby; it is distinct. Both organizations will have the financial resources to allocate this summer; however, the emphasis is on conducting the endeavors in a manner that is both ethical and effective. It will be beneficial to observe competitive derbies as long as they are executed effectively. It is undesirable for derbies to be one-sided; rather, they should be competitive and equitable.
Leave a Reply