Player ratings as Magpies ease to victory in Tyne-Wear derby

Newcastle United booked their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday when they beat rivals Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.

In a feisty first half, the Magpies would go into the break ahead. There wasn’t a glut of openings for the visitors, but Joelinton’s fizzing cross was met by Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard with 35 minutes played, the centre-back deflecting into his own net.

Alexander Isak doubled Newcastle’s advantage just seconds after the break, then netted a late penalty to put some gloss on the scoreline. It was Newcastle’s first Tyne-Wear derby victory since 2011.

How the game unfolded

With the atmosphere bubbling away at the Stadium of Light, Newcastle did their best to quieten the home crowd in the opening few minutes. The Magpies put some early pressure on the Sunderland goal, but the hosts responded well with some fierce challenges that were met by emphatic roars from the stands.

One of the biggest flashpoints in a first half low on clear-cut chances came just before the half-an-hour mark when Isak sent through on goal. The Swede went to ground after tangling with Sunderland centre-back Ballard, but referee Craig Pawson waved play on. If he had blown for a foul on the edge of the area, the defender likely would have seen red.

However, Ballard’s presence on the pitch did lead to the first goal of the game, with the 24-year-old putting Newcastle ahead. Joelinton broke down the left flank for the Magpies, firing a dangerous ball across the face of goal. Ballard stuck a leg out to deny Isak at the far post, but sent the cross spinning into his own net.

Miguel Almiron saw his acrobatic volley go a whisker wide of Anthony Patterson’s goal as the half drew to a close, Newcastle having controlled proceedings in an intense first 45 minutes.

It would take just 30 seconds for Newcastle to double their lead after the break, Sunderland the architects of their own downfall. Pierre Ekwah was caught in possession by Almiron in his own box, who rolled the ball across for Isak to put into an empty net. A disastrous piece of defending from the Black Cats.

Ekwah almost redeemed himself minutes later, but his deflected effort was rebuffed by the feet of Martin Dubravka. Alex Pritchard also saw his dipping long-range effort clip the top of the crossbar with 58 minutes on the clock as Sunderland looked to reduce the deficit.

Almiron was close to giving Newcastle what would have been a well-earned third, but his powerful effort was blocked well by…