In the 159th edition of the Tyne-Wear derby, Sunderland produced a comeback to defeat Newcastle United 2-1 in the Premier League, extending the Magpies’ winless league record in this fixture to 11 matches while also overtaking them in the table.

As expected in a fiercely contested derby, the match began with immediate intensity. Newcastle created the early chances, with Anthony Elanga heading over from a Lewis Hall cross.

The hosts took the lead after 10 minutes when Anthony Gordon reacted sharply to punish Luke O’Nien, finishing calmly after Nick Woltemade intercepted a pass and created the opening. The goal provided Gordon with a sense of redemption after Woltemade’s own goal had settled the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Ironic cheers echoed around St James’ Park when Granit Xhaka fired a long-range effort well over the bar, while Chemsdine Talbi came closer for Sunderland, forcing Aaron Ramsdale into a strong save from a curling strike.

Newcastle continued to push forward, with Elanga released by Woltemade into a promising position, only to send his effort into the side netting.

Woltemade later saw a quick shot blocked by Lutsharel Geertruida, before Sven Botman came agonisingly close, heading a Lewis Hall cross against the post.

Newcastle suffered an early setback in the second half when Sven Botman was forced off after a heavy blow to the head from Brian Brobbey, and their frustration deepened just minutes later.

Aaron Ramsdale tipped Chris Rigg’s effort behind, but the Magpies failed to clear the resulting corner as Dan Burn denied Habib Diarra, only for the loose ball to fall kindly to Chemsdine Talbi, who made no mistake in levelling the score.

Granit Xhaka then attempted an ambitious effort that deflected off Jacob Ramsey and looped toward goal, while Jacob Murphy tested Melker Ellborg soon after coming on as part of an Eddie Howe triple substitution.

Ramsdale was called into action again to deny Noah Sadiki, as the tension continued to build, with Lutsharel Geertruida blocking Harvey Barnes at one end before Malick Thiaw stopped Brobbey at the other.

Thiaw thought he had restored Newcastle’s lead with a header inside the final 15 minutes, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Anthony Gordon later fired two efforts over the bar, and that wastefulness proved costly as Sunderland struck a 90th-minute winner. Enzo Le Fée set up Brobbey, whose first attempt was saved before he reacted quickest to score from the rebound.

The dramatic late goal secured Sunderland’s first win in three matches in all competitions and lifted them a point above Newcastle in the Premier League table, leaving the Magpies with back-to-back defeats in increasingly frustrating fashion.