Neville is taken in by the electric derby atmosphere

GARY Neville has hailed Sunderland's spine as the difference makers after Regis Le Bris' side came away with victory over arch-rivals Newcastle United.

- By MATTY HEWITT

It was a game that lacked any real attacking quality, but Red and White supporters won't care after Nick Woltemade's own goal gave the Black Cats the victory.

The former Manchester United defender blasted Eddie Howe's approach for the game against a so-called 'lesser team' in Sunderland, referring to their lack of experience in the Premier League.

"I just thought the way Newcastle approached the game, I say negative - it was a tactic that I think if it goes wrong and you're a big club and a Champions League team, it really looks bad," he said on the Gary Neville podcast.

"Particularly when you're playing a lesser team - as in lesser quality, lesser sort of experience in the Premier League."