Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
The Super Sunday games in the Premier League provided drama, chaos and a little bit of history as Sunderland beat Newcastle for the first time in over 10 years, reports BritPanorama.
Nick Woltemade’s own goal earned Sunderland the Wear-Tyne derby spoils with a 1-0 win. The match followed a physical first half with scant chances for either team and saw Sunderland take the lead only a minute after the break, when Woltemade inadvertently headed Nordi Mukiele’s cross into his own net off the underside of the crossbar. This victory marked Sunderland’s first league win against Newcastle since 2015, extending their unbeaten run in Wear-Tyne derbies to ten matches.
The win propelled Sunderland to seventh in the table, while Newcastle slipped to twelfth. Before kickoff, a minute’s applause was held for Sunderland cult hero Gary Rowell, who passed away on Saturday after battling leukaemia. Sunderland made three changes from their recent loss against Manchester City, while Newcastle’s lineup saw two changes following their midweek Champions League draw.
Sunderland controlled the early stages, causing Newcastle to clear several threatening crosses. Despite attempts by Malick Thiaw and Anthony Elanga, neither side created significant opportunities during the first half. An injury to Dan Burn in the 42nd minute forced Newcastle to make an early substitution, yet both teams struggled against a well-organized defense.
Woltemade’s costly error opened the floodgates for Sunderland, who then pressed for a second goal. Even though Newcastle attempted to rally, their efforts were thwarted by Sunderland’s defense and goalkeeper Robin Roefs. In a tense finish, several late yellow cards were issued as the game drew to a close, but Sunderland maintained their narrow lead to secure the three points.
Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester City moved back to within two points of the Premier League summit with an impressive 3-0 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both found the net, with Haaland converting a late penalty, ensuring City’s fourth consecutive league win.
The best chance for Palace came early when Yeremy Pino struck the crossbar. However, it was City who opened the scoring just before half-time. A well-placed cross found Haaland, who headed the ball down powerfully into the net. City’s clinical finishing proved decisive, as they capitalised on their opportunities, contrasting sharply with Palace’s inability to convert theirs.
Pep Guardiola’s side expertly absorbed pressure from Palace in the second half, with Foden doubling the lead before Haaland capped the scoring from the spot. This performance ensures that City remains firmly in the title race and continues to challenge Arsenal at the top of the table.
West Ham 2-3 Aston Villa
Aston Villa stayed firmly in the Premier League title chase after Morgan Rogers scored a brace in a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against West Ham. Despite falling behind twice, Villa managed to secure their 10th win in 11 matches, maintaining pressure on leaders Arsenal.
West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes opened the scoring just 29 seconds into the match, but Villa quickly countered with an own goal by Konstantinos Mavropanos. Following a second West Ham goal, Rogers struck back twice, completing his brace with a stunning long-range effort. The emotional tribute to former Hammers captain Billy Bonds before kick-off set the stage for a competitive encounter.
This win keeps Aston Villa three points off the top and firmly in the conversation for the title, while West Ham finds itself entrenched in relegation concerns.
Nottingham Forest 3-0 Tottenham
Tottenham faced a heavy 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, marking another disappointing outing for the club under manager Thomas Frank. Spurs’ goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario had a turbulent afternoon, contributing directly to two of Forest’s goals, including a critical error that allowed Callum Hudson-Odoi to score the opener.
Despite their struggles, Forest displayed a cohesive performance, steadily building on their early advantage and scoring a goal of the match contender when Ibrahim Sangare netted from outside the box. This result leaves Spurs facing fresh scrutiny over their form as they remain far from their expected standards, while Forest’s victory solidifies their position away from the relegation zone.
In an unpredictable league filled with twists and turns, the ramifications of Sunday’s matches will certainly reverberate in the weeks to come, serving as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in the beautiful game.
