Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle: Player ratings as Magpies ease to victory in Tyne-Wear derby

Newcastle United booked their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday when they beat rivals Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.

In a feisty first half, the Magpies would go into the break ahead. There wasn't a glut of openings for the visitors, but Joelinton's fizzing cross was met by Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard with 35 minutes played, the centre-back deflecting into his own net.

Alexander Isak doubled Newcastle's advantage just seconds after the break, then netted a late penalty to put some gloss on the scoreline. It was Newcastle's first Tyne-Wear derby victory since 2011.

How the game unfolded

With the atmosphere bubbling away at the Stadium of Light, Newcastle did their best to quieten the home crowd in the opening few minutes. The Magpies put some early pressure on the Sunderland goal, but the hosts responded well with some fierce challenges that were met by emphatic roars from the stands.

One of the biggest flashpoints in a first half low on clear-cut chances came just before the half-an-hour mark when Isak sent through on goal. The Swede went to ground after tangling with Sunderland centre-back Ballard, but referee Craig Pawson waved play on. If he had blown for a foul on the edge of the area, the defender likely would have seen red.

However, Ballard's presence on the pitch did lead to the first goal of the game, with the 24-year-old putting Newcastle ahead. Joelinton broke down the left flank for the Magpies, firing a dangerous ball across the face of goal. Ballard stuck a leg out to deny Isak at the far post, but sent the cross spinning into his own net.

Miguel Almiron saw his acrobatic volley go a whisker wide of Anthony Patterson's goal as the half drew to a close, Newcastle having controlled proceedings in an intense first 45 minutes.

It would take just 30 seconds for Newcastle to double their lead after the break, Sunderland the architects of their own downfall. Pierre Ekwah was caught in possession by Almiron in his own box, who rolled the ball across for Isak to put into an empty net. A disastrous piece of defending from the Black Cats.

Ekwah almost redeemed himself minutes later, but his deflected effort was rebuffed by the feet of Martin Dubravka. Alex Pritchard also saw his dipping long-range effort clip the top of the crossbar with 58 minutes on the clock as Sunderland looked to reduce the deficit.

Almiron was close to giving Newcastle what would have been a well-earned third, but his powerful effort was blocked well by Luke O'Nien. Pritchard tested Dubravka at the other end shortly afterwards with a neat outside-of-the-boot effort that the Slovakian pushed wide.

Isak would then secure Newcastle's passage to the fourth round of the FA Cup just before stoppage-time, the striker hammering home a penalty after Anthony Gordon was felled by Ballard to make it three in a memorable match for the Magpies at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Anthony Patterson - 5/10 - Often got Sunderland into trouble by playing out from the back, not covering himself in glory for Newcastle's second.

RB: Trai Hume - 5/10 - Too eager to dive in against Anthony Gordon on the right flank, often losing the battle with the Newcastle winger. Booked in the first half for a late tackle on the former Everton man.

CB: Luke O'Nien - 6 /10 - Wasn't responsible for any of Newcastle's strikes and produced one great block to deny Almiron.

CB: Daniel Ballard - 3/10 - Stoic in the early stages at the Stadium of Light, but put in his own net with an unfortunate own goal. A poor clearance almost gifted Almiron a goal in the second half and he then handed the visitors a penalty late on.

LB: Aji Alese - 5/10 - Had his work cut out against the duo of Almiron and Kieran Trippier, sometimes struggling to cope down the left.

CM: Pierre Ekwah - 3/10 - Gifted Newcastle their second with a moment of stupidity as he attempted to dribble out of his own penalty area - a goal that helped decide the game.

CM: Dan Neill - 6/10 - Committed performance in midfield, but was often left exposed in central areas.

RM: Alex Pritchard - 7/10 - Struck the bar with a brilliant effort from range and saw another fine shot saved by Dubravka. Came to life in the second half.

AM: Jobe Bellingham - 5/10 - If this was his big audition, then he probably wouldn't get a callback. Lost the ball too frequently in advanced areas and was seldom too involved.

LM: Jack Clarke - 5/10 - Almost cost Sunderland in the first half after dallying on the ball. Ineffective in the Newcastle half.

ST: Nazary Rusyn - 6/10 - Very isolated up top, with little in the way of support. Held the ball up adequately at times, but couldn't get in any goalscoring situations.

Substitutes

SUB: Abdoullah Ba (85' for Rusyn) - N/A

Subs not used: Nathan Bishop (GK), Timothee Pembele, Luis Semedo, Mason Burstow, Adil Aouchiche, Jenson Seelt, Nectarios Triantis, Chris Rigg.

Manager

Michael Beale - 5/10 - They may have ran their socks off, but Sunderland offered very little in the final third, their best chances coming from distance efforts. Ultimately, his side couldn't cope with Newcastle.

Newcastle player ratings (4-3-3)

GK: Martin Dubravka - 7/10 - Made smart stops to deny Ekwah and Pritchard in the second half, but wasn't tested often enough.

RB: Kieran Trippier - 7/10 - Offered some promising overloads down the right, with a few tempting deliveries into the box.

CB: Fabian Schar - 7/10 - Rarely tested defensively and enjoyed a comfortable afternoon despite a hostile atmosphere.

CB: Sven Botman - 7/10 - Will be pleased with a well-earned clean sheet, the Dutchman too sharp for Sunderland's forward players.

LB: Dan Burn - 7/10 - His lack of pace was notable on occasion, but was otherwise solid for his boyhood club.

CM: Sean Longstaff - 6/10 - A few openings which he snatched at, including a decent chance from inside the area that was sent over the bar.

CM: Bruno Guimaraes - 8/10 - Dictated the tempo of the game with an elegant midfield performance. Superb throughout.

CM: Joelinton - 7/10 - A darting run down the left and a wicked delivery forced the opener, with the Brazilian helping Newcastle boss the midfield. Substituted just after half-time due to injury.

RW: Miguel Almiron - 9/10 - A bundle of energy down the right flank, offering great attacking threat and also defensive support when required. His persistence forced Ekwah's error for Newcastle's second, the Paraguayan putting in a wonderful display.

ST: Alexander Isak - 8/10 - Took his goal well with a well-placed left-footed finish, his presence at the back post also forcing Ballard to turn into his own net. Took his penalty with aplomb.

LW: Anthony Gordon - 8/10 - Back to his electric best up against young Hume, skinning the full-back on several occasions. The liveliest attacking outlet for the Magpies, also winning a late spot kick for his side.

Substitutes

SUB: Lewis Miley (47' for Joelinton) - 6/10 - His introduction was made simpler by the fact that Newcastle had just scored their second before he came on, but the youngster put in another steady showing.

SUB: Jamaal Lascelles (90' for Schar) - N/A

SUB: Paul Dummett (90' for Burn) - N/A

SUB: Matt Ritchie (90' for Gordon) - N/A

SUB: Tino Livramento (90' for Almiron) - N/A

Subs not used: Loris Karius (GK), Emil Krafth, Lewis Hall, Ben Parkinson.

Manager

Eddie Howe - 8/10 - His Newcastle side were in control from start to finish, their superior quality on display for all to see. A much-needed win in a huge game for Howe, especially given their recent woes.

Player of the Match: Miguel Almiron (Newcastle)

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