Derby day anguish for Woltemade and United

NICK Woltemade’s own goal earned Sunderland the Wear-Tyne derby spoils with a 1-0 win over Newcastle.

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Nick Woltemade heads into his own net and, inset, Sunderland players celebrate at the final whistle

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.

Although the previous match between the sides, an FA Cup tie in January 2024, ended in a 3-0 Newcastle win, yesterday's victory extended the Black Cats’ unbeaten derby run in the league to 10 games. It lifted them up to seventh in the table, with Newcastle back in to 12th.

There was a minute’s applause before kickoff for Sunderland cult hero Gary Rowell, who died on Saturday following a battle with leukaemia.