Eddie Howe seemed oblivious to the train hurtling down the track towards him. As Newcastle’s manager urged a team by now studded with substitutes to keep attacking, Enzo Le Fée came on for Sunderland and immediately slipped Brian Brobbey a sachet of energy gel.
Eighty-five minutes had passed on Sunday afternoon, the score at St James’ Park was 1-1 and Régis Le Bris had made his first change to a severely injury-hit visiting starting XI. As the clock hit the 90-minute mark, Le Fée surged into space and checked before threading a low, angled cross through the legs of Lewis Hall and Dan Burn and on to Brobbey’s feet. Although Aaron Ramsdale blocked the former Ajax striker’s initial effort, Brobbey scored at the second attempt. Newcastle had been mugged by a double nutmeg and Howe’s season appeared thoroughly derailed.
