Newcastle analysis: European return looks a long way off
Before the game, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had spoken of looking for a quick return to Europe. Depending on who wins the FA Cup, eighth in the Premier League may be enough to secure European football next season, and at half-time Newcastle were heading ninth and would have been only one point behind eighth-placed Everton with seven league games to go. After Noah Sadiki's shot was saved by Aaron Ramsdale when it was 1-1, Newcastle thought they had regained the lead with substitute Malick Thiaw heading into the net from Lewis Hall's corner.
[Getty Images] Before the game, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had spoken of looking for a quick return to Europe. That came on the back of a humiliating Champions League elimination on Wednesday when they conceded four second-half goals to lose 7-2 at Barcelona and 8-3 on aggregate in their last-16 tie. Depending on who wins the FA Cup, eighth in the Premier League may be enough to secure European football next season, and at half-time Newcastle were heading ninth and would have been only one point behind eighth-placed Everton with seven league games to go.
But, in a turnaround that had not looked likely, Sunderland responded superbly after the break and were much the better team. In the end, the away supporters, situated high behind the goal where their team had scored twice, were the ones left cheering as they followed their 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light with another success. After Noah Sadiki's shot was saved by Aaron Ramsdale when it was 1-1, Newcastle thought they had regained the lead with substitute Malick Thiaw heading into the net from Lewis Hall's corner.
However, the home cheers soon turned to grumbles when the goal was ruled out with Jacob Murphy impeding goalkeeper Melker Ellborg while also standing in an offside position. Newcastle drop to 12th, one place below Sunderland, with this result a big blow to Howe's hopes of an instant return to continental action. The atmosphere at the end was in marked contrast earlier when thousands of black, white and gold flags had been placed on chairs for the home supporters to wave.
That, along with a spectacular tifo that ran along the side of one of the stands, produced a stunning visual display as the players came out. The home supporters also held up banners, mocking Sunderland's absence from the top flight with one saying 'Welcome to the region's capital, you've been gone for so long'. But, in the end, the visitors were the ones who had the last laugh.