Woltemade's own goal gives Sunderland derby bragging rights over Newcastle
WOLTEMADE A MISTAKE: Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade scores Sunderland's winner.
NICK Woltemade probably dreamed of deciding this local turf 'wor' with an unstoppable header - but not quite like this as he secured an infamous place in Wear-Tyne derby history.
Somewhere in Bavaria, Bayern Munich behemoth Karl-Heinz Rummenigge poured himself a celebratory glass of something rather expensive and no doubt felt a smug sense of satisfaction at his rather unkind assertion when the German moved to St James's Park earlier this season, that only an idiot would pay £69m for his services.
The 14-year wait for a league victory over their old enemy continues for Newcastle, or to give them their full title on Wearside; visitors.
Eddie Howe's timid side were unable to escape the shackles of the fear they looked gripped by from the very first minute and they can have few complaints at a 10th Premier League derby without a win.
Howe spoke, rather bizarrely, in the run-up to this local spat about his side's 'arousal levels' but the manager was badly let down.
This was about as limp as it gets from a side contesting this most passionate of fixtures. It's the kind of no-show supporters might eventually forgive, but they never forget.
The first-half was a frenzied, scruffy, forgettable non-event, most notable for a sternum-snapping challenge from Nordi Mukiele on Dan Burn as both players slid in whole-heartedly for the ball for which the Frenchman earned a caution.
The damage was so significant to the Blyth-born defender, who was just about the last man you would expect to struggle with the physicality of this battle, that he was forced off soon afterwards.
The second-half roared into life inside 59 seconds thanks to the hapless Woltemade, who will be forever remembered in the history of this fixture for one costly swish of his peroxide locks.
When Newcastle failed to clear a throw into their box, the ball was recycled to Mukiele to send over a cross which, inexplicably in attempts to clear, the striker powered an effort past Aaron Ramsdale and in off the underside of the bar with the kind of header he normally reserves for the other end of the pitch.
Newcastle had salvaged a princely zero points from losing positions this season, and that statistic remains just as damning now.
At least for once they didn't add to their unwanted status of having shipped the most stoppage time goals in the league this season.
In keeping with their general lethargy, the vapid visitors provided only a sporadic threat in their ineffectual search for an equaliser.
Bruno Guimaraes had a 20-yard effort comfortably saved by Robin Roefs, but the Dutchman's opposite number was equally as employed after the break, Ramsdale saving at his near post as substitute Wilson Isidor fired in Sunderland's first shot on target with less than 20 minutes remaining.
It was the last major threat from either side as Regis Le Bris' side held on comfortably to maintain one of only two unbeaten home records in the Premier League this season.
At the same time, a landmark win paid a perfect tribute to Wearside legend Gary Rowell, whose passing at the age of 68 following a lengthy battle with leukemia, was announced on Saturday.
Roefs 8; Mukiele 8, Ballard 8, Alderte 8, Reinaldo 7; Xhaka 7, Sadiki 7; Traore 6 (Hume 70, 6), Le Fee 7, Talbi 6 (Mundle 83, 6); Brobbey 4 (Isidor 70, 6).
Ramsdale 5; Livramento 5, Thaw 5, Burn 6 (Schar 42, 5), Hall 5; Tonali 4 (Willock 59, 3) Guimaraes 5, Miley 5; Elanga 3 (Murphy 59, 3), Woltemade 3 (Wissa 75, 3), Gordon 3 (Barnes 59, 4).
Peter Bankes,
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