Matchday Musings: Talbi And Brobbey Save The Day For Sunderland
The Lads have done it again! Another memorable St James’ Park victory — and a league double over Newcastle!
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Nordi Mukiele, Enzo Le Fee and Noah Sadiki of Sunderland celebrate after winning the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on March 22, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) | Getty Images An absurd game of football, played out in two halves that could scarcely have been more contrasting, but another local derby that ended with yet more Sunderland jubilation and another dose of Newcastle heartbreak as the Lads showed defiance, desire and seemingly limitless persistence to turn around a 1-0 half time deficit and complete what seemed like a highly unlikely league double over our black and white neighbours. Did anyone see this coming at 10:45am, when the team sheet was released and what can only be described as a very makeshift Sunderland team was tasked with downing the hosts on their own patch?
How about at 12:10pm, after some sloppy defensive play allowed Anthony Gordon to steal in and open the scoring for the hosts? In one horrible moment, Luke O’Nien found himself cast as the fall guy and Melker Ellborg hadn’t exactly covered himself in glory either, but from the depths of despair came yet another red and white revival as goals from Chemsdine Talbi and the immensely impressive Brian Brobbey left the Mags stunned and the travelling Sunderland fans in the throes of ecstacy. They just can’t beat us in the league, can they?
No matter who’s managing them, the players they field or the tactics they deploy, Newcastle just can’t seem to find the formula needed to get the better of the lads in red and white. Indeed, such was the sheer feeling of elation at extending our unbeaten run in derbies that all of the negatives from this one were rendered meaningless. Was Ellborg shaky?
Yes. Can we develop a greater goal threat? Absolutely, but the fact is that winning is all that matters in such affairs, and how you get there is immaterial.
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