Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle United Player Ratings: Woltemade's Unfortunate Own Goal Decides Tense Derby 1-0

A single, unfortunate moment decided a fiercely contested Premier League derby. Sunderland eked out a crucial 1-0 victory over rivals Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light. The match was a tense affair, defined more by grit than by glamour. The game's only goal came just after the restart in the most heartbreaking fashion imaginable for the visitors.

Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 46th minute. This single error gifted Sunderland a lead they would not relinquish. We noticed they immediately dropped into a resolute defensive shape.

Newcastle pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half. Their captain Bruno Guimaraes, tried everything to drag his team back into the match, testing the keeper multiple times. However, Sunderland's defense held firm, securing a massive three points. It was a win built on organization and determination, not pretty football.

Sunderland Player Ratings vs Newcastle United

Here are Sunderland Player Ratings vs Newcastle United

Goalkeeper

Robin Roefs - 7.5: A very strong performance from the keeper. He was commanding in his box, claiming high balls with confidence. Made a couple of crucial saves to deny Guimarães in the second half. What stood out to us was his distribution, which was a bit hit-and-miss, but defensively he was exactly what Sunderland needed today. A well-deserved clean sheet.

Defenders

Dan Ballard - 7.0: A solid and reliable presence at the back. He won most of his duels and made some important clearances. However, we have to dock a point for that big missed chance in the first half. A free header from that close should have been on target. Otherwise, a very competent defensive display.

Omar Alderete - 6.5: He did his job without any fuss for the most part. We saw him make a few key clearances to relieve pressure. He did seem a bit stretched at times when Newcastle pushed forward. He wasn't a liability, but he wasn't a standout performer either. Just a steady, if unspectacular, outing.

Reinildo Mandava - 6.5: An energetic performance, but a slightly reckless one. He made two important tackles but also picked up a silly yellow card. He got forward a couple of times but his final ball was lacking. From our perspective, he needs to add a bit more composure to his game. Did enough to help secure the win.

Nordi Mukiele - 5.5: A difficult afternoon for the defender. He was booked and looked clumsy in the challenge. What stood out to us was how often he lost possession, putting his team under unnecessary pressure. He struggled to handle Newcastle's runners and looked off the pace. A performance he'll want to forget.

Midfielders

Chemsdine Talbi - 6.0: A tidy but quiet performance. He kept the ball moving but didn't offer much in terms of creativity or forward thrust. His pass accuracy was good, but it was mostly safe, sideways passes. He worked hard off the ball before being substituted. A functional but forgettable display.

Bertrand Traoré - 5.0: Really disappointing from our perspective. He was a passenger for large parts of the game. He committed three fouls and offered almost nothing going forward. We expected him to be a creative spark but he was easily nullified by the Newcastle midfield. Subbed off after a very ineffective 70 minutes.

Noah Sadiki - 7.0: A really impressive and disciplined display in midfield. What stood out was his duel success rate, winning all four of his battles. He was clean on the ball and made a few nice driving runs. He provided a great shield for the back four. A very mature and composed performance.

Enzo Le Fée - 6.0: A mixed bag. He showed flashes of quality but was too often careless in possession, turning the ball over seven times. He worked hard and wasn't afraid to get stuck in. However his decision-making in the final third let him down. There’s a good player in there, but it didn’t quite click for him today.

Granit Xhaka - 7.5: A real captain's performance. He controlled the tempo of the game for Sunderland, especially in the first half. His range of passing was excellent, and he created a huge chance for Ballard with a great cross. Defensively, he was diligent and led by example. A commanding presence in the middle of the park.

Forwards

Brian Brobbey - 6.0: He battled tirelessly upfront, drawing four fouls and making a nuisance of himself. He held the ball up well at times, but his end product was missing. He didn't manage a single shot and looked isolated for long periods. Picked up a yellow card for his troubles. A thankless task, but he stuck to it.

Substitutes

Wilson Isidor - 6.5: Came on and almost made an instant impact, forcing a good save from Ramsdale. Looked lively.

Trai Hume - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Romaine Mundle - N/A: A late cameo to see out the game.

Manager

R. Le Bris - 8.0: His game plan worked perfectly. He set his team up to be solid and hard to beat. After getting the lucky break with the own goal, his side's defensive organization was superb. He deserves immense credit for masterminding a gritty derby win against a tough opponent.

Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Sunderland

Here are Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Sunderland

Goalkeeper

Aaron Ramsdale - 6.5: Could do absolutely nothing about the own goal. He made one good save from a Wilson Isidor shot in the second half. Otherwise, he had very little to do. It was a frustrating day for him, being beaten by one of his own players without having to make a truly world-class stop.

Defenders

Lewis Hall - 6.5: A solid enough performance from Hall. He was good in his duels and made several clearances. He tried to support the attack but his final ball wasn't always there. A decent, if not spectacular, outing where he did his defensive duties without too much fuss.

Malick Thiaw - 8.0: An absolute monster at the back for Newcastle, despite being on the losing side. He made an incredible 18 clearances and was dominant in the air. He was a colossal presence and did everything he could to keep Sunderland at bay. It felt like he was a one-man defense at times. A superb individual performance.

Tino Livramento - 5.0: We were really disappointed with his performance. He looked shaky defensively and was dribbled past too easily. Going forward, he offered very little and seemed hesitant. He just seemed completely off the pace of the game. A day to forget for the talented fullback.

Dan Burn - 6.0: Was having a decent game before his unfortunate injury. He was winning his aerial duels and looked comfortable. It's a shame his afternoon was cut short. His departure certainly unsettled the backline for a period. Impossible to give a full rating but he was doing fine.

Midfielders

Sandro Tonali - 6.5: He was tidy and efficient in midfield before his substitution. His passing was crisp and accurate, helping Newcastle control possession early on. Picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul which perhaps led to his withdrawal. He was doing a solid job before being taken off.

Bruno Guimarães - 8.5: The best player on the pitch by a country mile. He was absolutely everywhere. He drove his team forward, tested the goalkeeper twice with powerful shots, and was excellent defensively. From our perspective, it's a travesty he ended up on the losing team. The highest-rated player in our books, a true Man of the Match performance.

Lewis Miley - 7.0: Another composed and mature performance from the youngster. He didn't look out of place in a heated derby atmosphere. He was secure in possession and made some key tackles. He nearly got on the scoresheet with a header that was blocked. A very promising display.

Forwards

Anthony Gordon - 5.5: A very quiet and ineffective game. He struggled to get into the match and create anything of note. He lost the ball too often and didn't look like his usual energetic self. It was no surprise to see him substituted early in the second half. He just couldn't make an impact.

Anthony Elanga - 5.0: Much like Gordon, he was anonymous. He barely had a touch and when he did, he often lost possession. He was a non-factor in the attack and provided no threat whatsoever. A really poor showing that rightly saw him hooked before the hour mark.

Nick Woltemade - 4.0: A nightmare of a game. The unfortunate own goal was the decisive moment of the match. He never recovered from it. From our perspective, his confidence completely evaporated. He struggled to hold up the ball and looked lost. The worst performer on the pitch by a distance.

Substitutes

Fabian Schär - 6.5: Came on for the injured Burn and put in a solid shift. Was composed on the ball.

Harvey Barnes - 6.0: Added a bit of energy but couldn't find a way through the packed Sunderland defense.

Jacob Murphy - 6.0: Like Barnes, he tried to make things happen but the final ball was missing.

Joe Willock - 6.5: Looked bright and set up a good chance for Guimarães. Perhaps should have come on earlier.

Yoane Wissa - N/A: Not on long enough to make an impact.

Manager

E. Howe - 5.5: A frustrating day for the Newcastle boss. His team had plenty of the ball but lacked the creativity to break down a stubborn Sunderland defence. His substitutions didn't change the game's trajectory. He'll be furious to lose a derby in such a manner. He failed to find a tactical solution.

Sportsdunia's player of the match is Bruno Guimaraes