Overview
- Sunderland won 1-0 at the Stadium of Light via a Nick Woltemade own goal in a tight derby.
- Gary Neville called Newcastle’s approach negative for a Champions League-level side and said Eddie Howe got the game plan wrong.
- Neville criticized the use of five across midfield, noting Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga were forced too deep and the forward was left isolated.
- He praised Sunderland’s central spine — highlighted at centre-back and in midfield — and referenced the club’s roughly £160m summer spend as paying off.
- Neville said Sunderland deserved the win and, per reports on Tuesday, the result left them eighth and four points clear of 12th-placed Newcastle.