There was something almost inevitable about Sunderland beating Newcastle at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats were winless all season in the Premier League, but new manager Sam Allardyce had a record to uphold.
https://twitter.com/Jon_Yarker/status/648424523537215489
When you add in the fact that Allardyce had left Newcastle under a cloud back in 2008, all the narrative pointed to the former Bolton and West Ham boss getting his new charges off the mark.
But it needed a contentious decision to set them on their way. Newcastle had dominated the first half, only for referee Bobby Madley to turn things in the hosts’ favour in first-half stoppage time.
Sunderland were awarded a penalty after Fabricio Coloccini barged into Steven Fletcher, with the visiting captain shown the red card – harshly, in the view of many Newcastle fans.
Plenty of possession,no cutting edge. Penalty yes, red card no. #SAFCvNUFC
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) October 25, 2015
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Adam Johnson scored from the spot, giving Sunderland a 1-0 half-time lead, and Madley didn’t endear himself to the away fans as the game went on…
Cattermole pushes Mbemba into bag full of broken glass, beats it with cricket bat. Referee gives ‘calm down’ gesture. #nufc
— Daniel Maier (@danielmaier) October 25, 2015
Newcastle still had their chances to draw level with 10 men, witha big miss from Aleksandar Mitrovic ultimately proving crucial.
Most flattering result I've seen this season. How Newcastle haven't got a point from this game I don't know. Mitrovic miss at 1-0 crucial.
— Joe Krishnan (@joekrishnan) October 25, 2015
Billy Jones made it 2-0 with his first ever Sunderland goal, and it’s fair to say few saw it coming.
2 – Billy Jones netted his first PL goal since April 2013 (only his second in total), with both goals coming against Newcastle. Joy.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 25, 2015
Billy Jones? Newcastle may as well walk off and take the automatic 3-0 defeat and potential points deduction
— Jack Baker (showbiz showbiz showbiz) (@JackBaker1311) October 25, 2015
Steven Fletcher scored late on to clinch a victory that didn’t reflect the game, yet we somehow always suspected this might happen.
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And of course, the Sunderland fans enjoyed their afternoon.
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