Sunderland defeated Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light as one of the biggest derbies in the country returned to the Premier League.
The two rivals faced off in the first Tyne-Wear league derby since a 1-1 draw at St James’ in March 2016, with Sunderland a point and two places above the Magpies.
A physical first half reminded of previous physical battles and had the feel of an old school clash between rivals with chances on goal being outdone by heavy tackles and a desire to keep the ball out.
Newcastle’s Dan Burn was injured in a challenge with Nordi Mukiele and had to be removed before the half-time break as the teams went into the tunnel all square. That changed quickly after the restart as Sunderland took the lead through a bizarre own goal from Nick Woltemade, heading a cross past his own goalkeeper in an attempt to clear the ball.
Newcastle improved through substitutions made by Eddie Howe but they couldn’t force an equaliser and the spoils were won by the Mackems.
Relive the updates from the Stadium of Light below:
Sunderland vs Newcastle live
- Sunderland defeat Newcastle in the Premier League | Live on Sky Sports
- 63' CLOSE! Guimaraes' shot is kept out by Roefs (SUN 1-0 NEW)
- 46' GOAL! Woltenmade own goal gives hosts the lead (SUN 1-0 NEW)
- 45' CLOSE! Ballard's header goes over the top (SUN 0-0 NEW)
- 42' SUB! Burn is replaced with Schar after injury (SUN 0-0 NEW)
- 28' CHANCE! Xhaka's shot from range flies over the bar (SUN 0-0 NEW)
Nick Woltemade own goal earns Sunderland hard-fought derby win over Newcastle
17:00 , Mike JonesNick Woltemade’s own goal earned Sunderland the Wear-Tyne derby spoils with a 1-0 win over Newcastle.
After a physical first half provided few real chances for either side, the hosts went ahead one minute after the break when Woltemade inexplicably sent a header flying into his own net off the underside of the crossbar from Nordi Mukiele’s cross.
Nick Woltemade own goal earns Sunderland hard-fought derby win over Newcastle
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports, said:
16:42 , Mike Jones"It was not our finest game. The effort was there but the quality was not. It was a game of really few chances decided by a freak goal and we could not create the opening we wanted.
"The goal came at a really bad time and was bad in its construction - Nick has not meant to do it but it has decided the game. I thought we had defended pretty well.
"The quality was missing in both halves, we were disappointed with our creative output. There was more intensity and more bravery on the ball after the changes without creating the chances and their goalkeeper was not overworked.
"We know how much this means and all the focus on today was huge. We tried to deliver our best performance and we haven't done that. We feel disappointed in ourselves and that we left something on the pitch and that's a horrible feeling."
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, speaking to Sky Sports:
16:37 , Mike Jones"Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how. This team deserves much more and more respect as where we are in the league is amazing and we're working really hard.
"In the first half we had much more control with the ball but it's normal you don't do it for 90 minutes. After 1-0 the game changed a bit, but we were very good without the ball and we deserved the three points for sure."
Sunderland take bragging rights
16:28 , Mike JonesSunderland’s victory means they take the bragging rights off Newcastle.
They also move up to seventh in the Premier League table and are four points ahead of their rivals with 16 games played.
The Black Cats are also unbeaten in 10 league game derbies now too.
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard, speaking to Sky Sports:
16:24 , Mike Jones"You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful [losing 3-0 at home to Newcastle in the FA Cup in January 2024] for the players and for the fans so we felt we had let them down so we're delighted with this win.
"It prepared us more for today. We came in with more quality in this team, real leaders, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.
"There was not much in the game in terms of chances. When you go a goal ahead it's about game management and I thought we did that very well - the boys were brilliant."
Full-time! Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:58 , Mike Jones90+7 mins: Granit Xhaka caught a blow to the left eye and there’s blood coming from his head.
He goes off for treatment and Sunderland have 10-men as the game resumes.
Newcastle loft a cross into the box, there’s a scramble and Wissa goes down.
The referee points to the keeper for a goal kick.
The whistle then goes and the Stadium of Light erupts in a loud, loud roar!
Sunderland have won the Tyne-Wear derby.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:55 , Mike Jones90+4 mins: Joe Willock and Wilson Isidor square off with each other after Robin Roefs is cleaned out.
Malick Thiaw seems to receive a yellow card as well after the argy-bargy all dies down.
Due to that there’ll be a few more minutes to play.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:53 , Mike Jones90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play.
Newcastle are running out of time to find their equaliser.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:49 , Mike Jones88 mins: Eddie Howe looks worried. I don’t think he’s seen enough from his players to be sure they can score here.
The Sunderland fans are singing away. They seem confident.
Willock runs the ball out of play trying to make a tackle and Newcastle have to defend again.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:47 , Mike Jones85 mins: There are plenty of nervous faces in the crowd among both sets of supporters.
Sunderland have the lead but it is Newcastle who are pressing to score.
Can they get an equaliser and silence the crowd late in this game?
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:40 , Mike Jones78 mins: Yoana Wissa is on for Newcastle having replaced Woltemade.
The cross comes in from Barnes on the right and Wissa throws himself at it only for Roefs to cling onto the ball.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:36 , Mike Jones75 mins: Save!
Wilson Isidor has the chances to seal the points for Sunderland by bringing down an aerial ball on his chest and smoking a shot at the near post.
Ramsdale leaps to the left and pushes it wide! A good save from the Newcastle man.
Coincidentally that was also Sunderland first shot on target despite being one goal ahead.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:32 , Mike Jones72 mins: Newcastle’s substitutions have given Newcastle more attackign flavour.
As such Brian Brobbey and Bertrand Traore are taken off with Wilson Isidor and Trai Hume brought on.
Sunderland are trying to shut this game down with more defenders on the pitch.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:29 , Mike Jones69 mins: Reinildo wins the header to clear a Guimaraes corner.
Newcastle recycle the ball with an aerial pass from the right but Traore is there to turn it behind for another corner.
This time Roefs comes and plucks it out of the air.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:28 , Mike Jones66 mins: Guimaraes is the man again who takes the attack to Sunderland.
It’s another curling shot from the edge of the penalty area and Roefs gets across to deny him.
Newcastle are being more expansive. They’re the ones shifting the momentum.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:22 , Mike Jones63 mins: Newcastle are trying to calm things down again but getting up the pitch.
They need a goal, just to quiet the home crowd at touch. They’ve not stopped singing since the goal went in.
Bruno Guimaraes shoots from the inside left channel and forces a save out of Robin Roefs.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:20 , Mike Jones60 mins: Eddie Howe makes a drastic decision and switches out three of his players.
Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga are hooked off with Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes brought on.
Will the subs be able to change this game around?
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:18 , Mike Jones57 mins: There’s more of an edge to this game now as Sunderland are growing frustrated by some of the decisions from referee Peter Bankes.
I think he’s had a decent game so far and has let things flow despite some heavy knocks.
That said, Talbi gets taken out by Tonali who ends up in the book much to the delight of the Sunderland supporters.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:16 , Mike Jones54 mins: Daniel Ballard and Fabian Schar have a tussle in the Newcastle box and the Sunderland man falls to the deck.
He’s visibly trying to win a penalty and the referee makes another good decision to wave it away.
Sunderland aren’t happy.
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
15:12 , Mike Jones50 mins: Eddie Howe’s tactics have been cautious so far and now that Newcastle have conceded will the shackles come off?
Sunderland, as expected, are full of life and energy now. The crowd is delightfully buoyant.
GOAL! Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle (Nick Woltemade OG, 46')
15:10 , Mike JonesWow!
Sunderland get the ball high and threaten the box a couple of times.
Nordi Mukiele then swings in a cross that Nick Woltemade tries to deal with by heading the ball.
He’s facing his own goal though and only manages to guide it past Aaron Rasmdale and into the back of the net!
Second half! Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
15:06 , Mike JonesSunderland get the game back under way at the Stadium of Light.
The hosts have been decent at scoring late goals this season and Newcastle have been conceding them.
The ball is sent to Robin Roefs who boots it long. Bertrand Traore receives it, drifts by two defenders then whips in a cross that Malick Thiaw deals with.
HT Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
15:00 , Mike JonesThis is the only Premier League match to kick off at 2pm and not see a goal.
Current scores:
Crystal Palace 0-1 Man City
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham
West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa
HT Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:56 , Mike JonesSunderland had the better of possession in the first half with near 59% of the ball.
The created three chances though none were on target.
Newcastle were more restricted with only the one chance though they did test Robin Roefs.
The first goal could be a key one in this match.
HT Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:52 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:48 , Mike Jones45+3 mins: Nothing to separate the two teams as they head down the tunnel.
This one has, so far, had the feel of an old school classic. It’s been physical, aggressive with some big tackles and few clear cut chances.
Not many runs in behind with plenty of hold up play from the attackers.
All the play for in the second half.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:47 , Mike Jones45 mins: Close!
Ballard arrives near the back post to meet a cross from Xhaka. He raises above his marker and wins the header but can only direct it over the crossbar.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:42 , Mike Jones42 mins: Dan Burn gave it his best effort but cannot continue. He’s holding his ribs and seems to be struggling to breathe.
Fabian Schar comes on to replace him with a few minutes remaining before half-time.
It’s a blow for Newcastle this.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:40 , Mike Jones39 mins: Guimaraes takes the free kick which is whipped into the box and nodded clear by Mukiele.
Newcastle win a throw in though and Hall sends it back into the middle.
Sunderland won’t be moved however.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:39 , Mike Jones37 mins: Mukiele was booked after that challenge and Burn is back on his feet.
That one hurt him but he’s playing on for now. He jogs back onto the field to a round of boos from the Sunderland fans.
Bruno Guimaraes is down now after Reinildo shoulders the midfielder to the ground. Free kick to Newcastle.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:37 , Mike Jones34 mins: A worry here for Newcastle.
Dan Burn is down after a heavy hit and the physios are on the pitch seeing to him.
Burn is breathing out heavily.
It was a 50/50 challenge with Mukiele which Burn won but he got clattered for his efforts.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:31 , Mike Jones30 mins: Half an hour played at the Stadium of Light.
The battle has been physical and mainly in the middle of the pitch with chances few and far between.
Talbi tricks his way into the Newcastle box but Bruno Guimaraes is tracking back and dispossesses him.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:30 , Mike Jones28 mins: Chance!
Granit Xhaka receives the ball outside the Newcastle box and finds himself in space.
He rolls the ball onto his left foot and drives a shot towards goal only to fire the effort over the top!
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:27 , Mike Jones27 mins: Anthony Gordon threads a pass into Nick Woltemade who goes down under a tackle from Daniel Ballard.
The Newcastle supporters are loud in demand for a penalty but the referee isn’t interested and play goes on.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:25 , Mike Jones24 mins: Tino Livramento bombs forward on Newcastle’s right and wins a corner with an early cross.
Hall takes it and lofts the set piece into the penalty area where Robin Roefs punches the ball to safety.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:23 , Mike Jones21 mins: There’s a bit more movement from Newcastle with Lewis Hall managing to find some space to operate in down the left.
Sunderland deal with the attack easily enough then quickly sweep forward.
The ball is played to Enzo Le Fee who shoots from the edge of the box only for his effort to get blocked.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:19 , Mike Jones18 mins: Mukiele launches a long throw into the penalty area.
The ball drops in favour of Omar Alderete who whips it across the face of goal.
It catches Daniel Ballard and deflects out of play for a Newcastle goal kick.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:16 , Mike Jones15 mins: A Sunderland corner is flicked on at the near post but Sandro Tonali is aware of the danger and beats Nordi Mukiele to the ball managing to nod it over the approaching Sunderland man.
Newcastle look to take the ball forward but are harried in midfield once again.
It’s been a tough start for the visitors.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:13 , Mike Jones12 mins: Brian Brobbey is a strong chap. He takes down a chipped pass and holds off the nearest defender on his way into the box.
The ball comes slightly loose from his feet and Aaron Ramsdale if off his line in a flash to jump on the ball and smother it.
For all of Sunderland’s fine play there hasn’t been a chance at goal yet. Newcastle are still trying to find their feet in this one.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:10 , Mike Jones9 mins: There’s already an urgent pressure from Sunderland to get forward and challenge for the ball inside Newcastle half.
The hosts want to be imposing and aggressive.
Chemsdine Talbi darts into space on the left side and floats over a cross but can’t find a teammate and Newcastle scramble it clear.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:06 , Mike Jones6 mins: There’s an audible increase in the volume of the fans around the stadium whenever Sunderland get the ball inside Newcastle’s half.
They want their team to attack, attack, attack and that is very clear.
Nordi Mukiele sends a cross into the box from the right wing which Lewis Miley gets on the end of.
He manages to poke it over to Lewis Hall who completes the clearance.
Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:03 , Mike Jones3 mins: Sunderland get the ball long and win the aerial battle before bringing it under control.
Enzo Le Fee sweeps the ball over to the right wing but Newcastle have plenty of men back and the hosts decide to maintain possession.
There’s not many gaps for them to run or play the ball into. Newcastle’s shape off the ball seems pretty solid.
Kick off! Sunderland 0-0 Newcastle
14:01 , Mike JonesLet’s go!
Newcastle get the ball rolling at the Stadium of Light. It’s rolled back to Aaron Ramsdale by Bruno Guimaraes before getting pumped over to the left side.
A challenge in the air is won by the Sunderland defender and elicits a loud cheer is response.
Sunderland vs Newcastle
13:59 , Mike JonesThe Stadium of Light erupts in applause to remember Gary Rowell - the former Sunderland striker who passed away last night aged 68.
Sunderland vs Newcastle
13:55 , Mike JonesIt’s almost time for the first Tyne-Wear derby in nine years (in the Premier League at least).
Sunderland have a made a decent start to the season and face their rivals during a slight dip in form.
Newcastle will fancy themselves to win today but neither team will want to lose.
The players head out onto the pitch and the noise levels ramp up a few more decibels.
It’ll be tense and hostile this afternoon but who will come out on top?
Overperforming Black Cats
13:50 , Mike JonesOnly Burnley (12.3) have a lower expected goals total than Sunderland (13) in the Premier League this season.
However, with 18 goals the Black Cats rank fourth for xG overperformance this term (+5).
Contrasting fortunes
13:45 , Mike JonesNo side have gained more points from losing positions in the Premier League than Sunderland this season (12).
While no side have lost more from winning positions so far than Newcastle (11).
Neville on the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light
13:44 , Mike Jones“It’s rowdy,” says Gary Neville on Sky Sports. “It’s unbelievably hostile up here.
“I hear that they’re not going to put Newcastle United’s name up on the digital scoreboard and just have ‘visitors’. I love that.”
Can Newcastle win on the road?
13:40 , Mike JonesNewcastle have won three of their last four Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 13 (three draws, seven defeats).
The Magpies’ 4-1 win at Everton in their last away game ended a run of nine without a win on the road.
Atmosphere already bouncing
13:35 , Mike JonesThe Atmosphere is already bouncing outside the Stadium of Light with the Sunderland fans in full voice.
This is going to be an epic game.
Expect some goals
13:30 , Mike JonesNewcastle have both scored and conceded a goal in each of their last eight Premier League games.
They last had a longer such run in the top-flight between December 1960 and March 1961 (13 games).
Rowell remembered
13:25 , Mike JonesFormer Sunderland striker, Gary Rowell, passed away last night at the age of 68 following a long illness.
He scored over 100 goals for the Black Cats including a famous hat-trick in this derby in 1979.
He remains the last Sunderland player to score a hat-trick in the derby against Newcastle.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gary Rowell.
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 13, 2025
A Sunderland icon and legendary goalscorer. Tomorrow, Wearside will come together and pay tribute to him ahead of a fixture he made his own.
Rest in peace, Gary ❤️🤍
Impressive home form
13:20 , Mike JonesAlong with Arsenal, Sunderland are one of two teams still unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season (Four wins, three draws).
Indeed, the Black Cats have more points at the Stadium of Light this term (15) than they managed in the whole of their last campaign in the top-flight (14 in 2016-17).
'A noisy welcome for both teams
13:16 , Simon Bird at the Stadium of LightA good noisy welcome for both teams outside the stadium and hundreds of police everywhere.
“Press box here is full and 10 foreign TV commentary crews, a record.”
Can Sunderland triumph again?
13:15 , Mike JonesSunderland’s current run of nine without defeat is their longest ever unbeaten league run against Newcastle (W6 D3).
However, they lost the most recent derby in all competitions, going down 3-0 at home in an FA Cup third round tie in January 2024.
Four in a row?
13:10 , Mike JonesNewcastle have lost their last three away league games against Sunderland, more than they had in their previous 21 visits combined (Six wins, 13 draws, two defeats).
They’ve never lost four in a row at the Mackems before.
Sunderland's success
13:05 , Mike JonesThis the first such Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League since a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park in March 2016.
Sunderland are unbeaten in their last nine league games against Newcastle (six wins, three draws).
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, speaking to Sky Sports:
13:02 , Mike Jones"It is normal to have the nerves a little bit and the adrenaline.
"Looking forward to this game, I said before first when I signed for this club they told me about this rival game. Happy to be here and I just want to enjoy it.
"The people are already there shouting, screaming and doing things. Getting a little emotional, but we need to be very smart and not silly.
"We know the quality they have, but they hopefully know the quality we have as a team.
"I think it will be a great battle, hopefully enough with fair play."
Howe on the Tyne-Wear derby
13:00 , Mike JonesThe Newcastle boss said: "It will be difficult. I think these games always are because there's a lot of emotion and challenges for the players to overcome to make sure we enter the pitch in the right frame of mind and where we absolutely need to be, which is focussed on how we play and what we need to do.
"The arousal levels are absolutely key because you can be too high or too low. I don't think there will be many too low in preparation for this game but finding that place where the players play at their best is my challenge.
"It's a very important game but we've got to focus on our performance so all of these things will be important."
Sunderland v Newcastle team changes
12:55 , Mike JonesRegis Le Bris makes three changes to the Sunderland team that lost to Man City last time out.
Wilson Isidor, Trai Hume and Lutsharel Geertruida drop out with Reinildo, Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey brought in.
Eddie Howe makes a couple of changes to the team that drew with Bayer Leverkusen during the week.
Anthony Elanga and Lewis Miley come in to replace Harvey Barnes and Joelinton.
Newcastle team to face Sunderland
12:50 , Mike JonesNewcastle XI: Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Miley; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Your Mags on derby day! ✊ pic.twitter.com/9VE3FjTKYI
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 14, 2025
Sunderland team to take on Newcastle
12:47 , Mike JonesSunderland XI: Roefs: Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadik, Traore, Le Fee, Talb; Brobbey
HA'WAY THE LADS!! 👊#SUNNEW pic.twitter.com/UsNcibCxMu
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 14, 2025
A reminder of the team news
12:40 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups should be released in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news for both sides...
Sunderland’s Habib Diarra will miss out however as he continues his recovery from groin surgery, with Aji Alese, who has a shoulder injury, and the suspended Luke O’Nien joining him on the sidelines. Reinildo has a minor groin injury but may be fit in time.
Newcastle are sweating on the fitness of Emil Kraft, Sven Botman and Will Osula while Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope are also confirmed absentees.
Derby preparation started after Leverkusen draw
12:35 , Mike JonesEddie Howe explained that Newcastle’s preparation for today’s match began as soon as the Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen was done.
Howe said: "My first communication to the players on the derby was (after the Bayer Leverkusen game). We can't take our focus away from our next game so the build-up to this game was all about this game and it has to be.
"As soon as the game ends and we focus on the next one, we knew the importance of this game. I had to make that clear to all of the players.
"There will be some new players who maybe don't understand it as well as others so we'll use whatever methods we can in the next few days to make sure that everyone enters the pitch fully aware of the importance."
Stadium of Light can provide advantage for Sunderland
12:30 , Mike JonesSunderland are unbeaten in seven matches at the Stadium of Light and Regis Le Bris is expecting a loud atmosphere for today’s derby.
“I think we’ve had good experiences at the Stadium of Light this season,” he explained.
“It has been loud and I expect it to be louder against Newcastle.
“So far, the players have used this energy really well. To ride the momentum, the change the dynamic when needed. I hope this will be the case once again.
“This extra energy can help the project so when we are connected, we have this advantage at the Stadium of Light.”
Le Bris on Tyne-Wear derby
12:24 , Mike JonesThe Sunderland boss said: “I think we will have two different positions. We will have our fans and the people around the club. Then we have our players and the club.
“For the fans, we know the game is really big. For us, the game is really important as well but we are professional.
“We won’t say we are preparing this fixture like another one but with a good commitment, concentration, the right level of energy. We know that it will be an intense game but the main focus is to find the best version of Sunderland for that fixture.”
Newcastle United ‘have to believe’ insists Eddie Howe after late blow
12:18 , Chris WilsonEddie Howe is confident Newcastle at their best can beat anyone as they attempt to book an extended Champions League adventure.
The Magpies edged on to 10 points in this season’s competition and into 12th place in the table after a 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday evening, a game in which they led 2-1 with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
Despite the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser, head coach Howe is confident they can progress to the knockout stage despite facing tough tests against PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park and holders Paris St-Germain away in their final two league stage games.
Newcastle United ‘have to believe’ insists Eddie Howe after late blow
Diarra expected to return next week
12:12 , Mike JonesSunderland midfielder Habib Diarra hasn’t played since September’s match against Crystal Palace due to a groin injury but is expected to rejoin full training next week.
“Habib will train with the group next week and be in full training,” confirmed manager Regis Le Bris.
“He will need probably one or two weeks to be at his best after a good rehab programme and after that it depends on AFCON.
"We need to build his fitness level and after that, he will be ready.”
Regis Le Bris issues injury updates
12:06 , Mike JonesSunderland manager Regis Le Bris is boosted by the returns of Reinildo and Dennis Cirkin.
Le Bris confirmed that Reinildo has returned to full training and is available for selection today while Cirkin could also feature.
“Dennis is ready – he has trained properly now for two or three weeks and he’s connected in the group,” he said.
"It’s good news because right now we don’t have many injuries.”
Eddie Howe reacts to disappointing draw with Leverkusen
11:56 , Mike JonesNewcastle United must pick themselves up after conceding a late goal during the midweek Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen which ended in a 2-2 draw.
"Goals happen in games and we haven't defended well enough,” said Eddie Howe after the match.
“It was too easy for them to go through the middle of our defence [for the second goal]. I wasn't happy at half-time, not so much with the performance but there was a real lack of belief that we could score.
“You have to make things happen and really believe internally. Off the ball, we were getting close to them but not in that final yard.
"It leaves us in a good position [to qualify in the top eight]. All we can do is focus back onto the Premier League where we are in a decent vein of form."
Predicted line-ups
11:41 , Chris WilsonSunderland XI: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Traore, Isidor, Le Fee
Newcastle XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon
Newcastle team news
11:36 , Chris WilsonNewcastle are sweating on the fitness of Emil Kraft, Sven Botman and Will Osula, with Eddie Howe admitting the injured trio are more likely to miss out than not, while Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope are also confirmed absentees.
But Yoane Wissa, who made his debut in their last Premier League game - a 2-1 win over Burnley - is likely to be brought on as a substitute as he builds back to full fitness after several months out.
Sunderland team news
11:30 , Chris WilsonFifa has allowed clubs to retain their Afcon-bound players until 15 December, giving Sunderland the welcome boost of having a full-strength squad for this tie.
Habib Diarra will miss out however as he continues his recovery from groin surgery, with Aji Alese, who has a shoulder injury, and the suspended Luke O’Nien joining him on the sidelines. Reinildo has a minor groin injury but may be fit in time.
Newcastle concede late equaliser to draw at Bayer Leverkusen
11:24 , Mike JonesAlejandro Grimaldo broke Newcastle’s hearts as he struck late to deny them Champions League victory at Bayer Leverkusen.
Substitute Lewis Miley looked to have claimed all three points at the BayArena with a 73rd-minute header after Anthony Gordon’s penalty had cancelled out Bruno Guimaraes’ unfortunate own goal on a night when Malick Thiaw was perhaps fortunate not to be sent off before the break.
Newcastle concede late equaliser to draw at Bayer Leverkusen
As things stand
11:18 , Mike JonesThere isn’t much to separate the two teams in terms of the Premier League table.
Sunderland come into the match having made a slightly better start to the season with six wins and five draws from their opening 15 matches.
They currently sit 10th with 22 points with Newcastle two places lower but only one point behind.
That is due to the extra defeat Eddie Howe’s men have suffered with five losses this term though only one in their last five games.
Newcastle have the better recent record with three wins in five compared to just one for Sunderland but in a derby such as this form can tend to matter for very little.
How can I watch?
11:12 , Mike JonesViewers in the UK can watch the game on Sky Sports Main Event, as well as on streaming service Sky Go. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
When is Sunderland v Newcastle?
11:06 , Chris WilsonSunderland host rivals Newcastle at the Stadium of Light on Sunday 14 December, with kickoff at 2pm.
Good morning
11:00 , Chris WilsonHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s Premier League match between Sunderland and Newcastle at the Stadium of Light.
The Tyne-Wear derby returns to the top flight after nearly a decade’s absence, in one of this weekend’s most hotly anticipated fixtures.
in what is not just a battle for North-East supremacy, but also a battle to push for the Champions League places.
Regis Le Bris’ side have the edge, starting the weekend just three points off the top four, after a stunning start to life in the top flight. Despite a 3-0 loss to Manchester City last time out the newly-promoted side have acquitted themselves well, and could consider themselves unlucky to drop points against reigning champions Liverpool the game before.
Newcastle meanwhile endured the sucker-punch of a late Bayer Leverkusen equaliser in their Champions League fixture this week, and will look to bounce back against their fiercest rivals.
