One of the standout fixtures in the third round of the FA Cup, Sunderland and Newcastle United renew hostilities at the Stadium of Light for a tantalising Tyne-Wear derby on Saturday lunchtime.
The Black Cats opened 2024 with a 2-0 victory over Preston North End in the Championship, whereas the Magpies fell to a 4-2 Premier League loss at the hands of Liverpool.
After beginning his Stadium of Light tenure in the worst way possible - overseeing a humbling 3-0 home loss to Coventry City - Beale has since witnessed his Sunderland crop take seven points from the last nine on offer, including a pair of wins over Hull City and Preston with two clean sheets to boot.
First-half goals from Alex Pritchard and Nazariy Rusyn proved decisive against the latter on New Year's Day, allowing Sunderland to cling onto the fourth and final playoff position in the Championship table, although Hull, Coventry and Cardiff City are all within touching distance.
The fight for promotion now takes a backseat while Sunderland begin their latest venture in the FA Cup - a competition which the Black Cats have won in 1937 and 1973 - while they also collected runners-up medals in the 1991-92 campaign, going down 2-0 to Liverpool in the final.
0 Comments