Goals

0-1: Johnson (90, brilliantly counter-attacked before finishing things off after Buckley’s lay-off)

Bookings: Coates (2, foul); Coloccini (9, foul); Tiote (24, foul); Colback (25, foul); Wickham (39, foul); Cattermole (56, foul); O’Shea (69, foul)

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Wythenshawe) – too quick to get his cards out, although it is Christmas. 5

Attendance: 52, 315

Entertainment: 3/5

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-2-3-1):

6 Alnwick: Made the stops he needed to until the late goal which he could have done very little about;

6 Janmaat: An important member of the backline after returning from suspension even if Wickham caused problems

8 TAYLOR: Made an incredible second half clearance from under the crossbar which left him requiring stitches when he headed the post

6 Coloccini: Defended well even if he was fortunate to escape with a caution when he needlessly placed a knee in the back of Fletcher

6 Dummett: Occasionally caught out by Johnson but defended well; woeful early free-kick, though;

5 Colback: A low-key first appearance against his former club and he can expect greater hostility at the Stadium of Light

5 Tiote: Made a few early challenges but faded too quickly and was withdrawn 15 minutes before the end

4 Gouffran: Far too ineffective in an attacking sense and that caused problems for the Magpies

7 Sissoko: When Newcastle were at their best so was the Frenchman, but he did quieten after a strong start

6 Ameobi: Made a few wrong decisions even if he linked up well; had his final ball been better this could have been his derby

7 Perez: Newcastle’s most dangerous player and a constant menace to the Sunderland defence

Subs:

Armstrong (for Gouffran 59): Forced a low save from Pantilimon and it could have been a derby to remember for him. 5

Cisse (for Tiote 75)

Cabella (for Ameobi 89)

(not used): Williamson, Haidara, Riviere, Woodman (gk).

SUNDERLAND (4-1-4-1):

8 Pantilimon: Made two stunning saves to deny Perez and then Sissoko when it mattered;

6 Vergini: Stuck to the task of dealing with Ameobi and Gouffran well throughout

7 Coates: Recovered from a second minute booking to turn in a solid display at the heart of the defence after a late call to play

7 Brown: Combined effectively with Coates in the middle and made a number of good blocks

6 O’Shea: Despite a late switch, he performed competently at left-back;

6 Cattermole: Enjoyed the derby occasion again but withdrawn having been cautioned for hauling down Perez;

8 JOHNSON: Made amends for his earlier miss by turning defence in to attack before hitting the late winner

8 Larsson: Did everything asked of him in midfield and could have added a second after Johnson’s opener

6 Gomez: Should have scored in the second half but other than that was a calming influence on things

6 Wickham: Had three or four chances in the first half and was a danger, even if he was needlessly booked for jumping in to Alnwick

8 Fletcher: Involved in the goal and justified his inclusion at the top of the system by holding things and linking up play

Subs:

Bridcutt (for Cattermole 70): Slotted in well after Cattermole was taken off. 6

Buckley (for Wickham 81)

Rodwell (for Larsson 90)

(not used): Altidore, Alvarez, Mannone (gk).

MAN OF THE MATCH

ADAM Johnson – had played well but the way he stayed on his feet to keep Sunderland’s match-winning counter-attack flowing was rewarded with the winner.