This was not the beautiful game in action. There was passion, heroic endeavour and controversy, but it was not a day for footballing artistry. All the same, Martin O’Neill, by some distance the more dignified of the managers (Pardew was an utter disgrace), tells in his post-match e-mail of coming away with an awful lot of pride to go with the point that was so nearly three. See also Sixer’s Sevens: heroes and villains …
This is where Pete Sixsmith captures the glory and shame, hope and despair, excitement and ennui of the Sunderland matchday experience. When, rarely, Pete is absent or delayed, a supersub does it for him and the seven-word verdict is preceded by an asterisk. Pete’s full analysis of the game will usually appear within a day or two.
It ended in a draw as Newcastle forced a late equaliser after heroic resistance from Sunderland’s 10 men.
If you earn
£70,000 a week, you probably have to accept more scrutiny than most.
Luis Suarez is such an individual. After his appalling dive to con a referee and win a penalty against Arsenal today, he seemed to have claimed rights to the famous cheating question, posed by Salut! Sunderland to an opposing supporter before each SAFC game, for the rest of the season.
OK, as Jake’s brilliant graphic confirms, the waiting is nearly over. You can see all our build-up displayed on the home page by clicking here, and soon it will be time for the players to battle it out for North-eastern honours. Guess the score and you may win a prize.
Two great pieces in today’s newspapers retrace Martin O’Neill’s steps as he follows a boyhood dream and goes in search of the Roker Park of the club he supported from the other side of the Irish Sea. Both are riveting reads.
On Facebook yesterday, I wrote: “Forget the hysteria of Leveson and the Scotland Yard ‘burglars/muggers/killers’ delight’ investigation of reporters having pints or lunch with coppers. The Tyne-Wear derby, Newcastle v Sunderland, is on Sunday at noon. Elegant, witty, informative and impeccably fair tribalism is to be found at https://safc.blog/
We know how important Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby is to most of us and them. But hand on heart, how much do we think it matters to neutrals?
Not sure what Fraizer Campbell’s is, or even what he’s doing here except that he does have musical kin. Mine is the Human League’s Don’t You Want Me? Jon Guy’s is It’s Not Unusual. James Stevenson belts out Alice Cooper’s Poison. Vince Richardson loathes karaoke but once succumbed in South Shields and offered the suitably modified Daydream Believer to wind up some Mags. Hilary has to be drunk but will do Respect or Islands in the Stream while Joan, if given flight tickets to Hong Kong and a private karaoke cabin on arrival, can get all the way through the long version of American Pie. And you? What is your karaoke song or party piece?
In our build-up to the Tyne-Wear derby, Salut! Sunderland has been a model of fairness and brought you:
SO it was quite a proud night all round for Sunderland players on international duty, and 79 was a magic number.
(Image: E G Focus)