Newcastle's Downpour of Dominance Drenches Sunderland in Rainy Rivalry

Despite the heavy rain, Newcastle poured on the pressure right from the start, leaving Sunderland drowning in their wake.

The match could have easily been a washout for Sunderland within the first ten minutes, had it not been for Matt's unfortunate misses, which sailed wide like raindrops in the wind. Nevertheless, the opening goal eventually arrived, with JZ making a splash and Nat providing an assist that made waves among the spectators and players alike.

Amidst the deluge, Matt displayed some remarkable skill, winning a short corner that had Tweddle questioning how his hands could possibly be warm enough to produce such skill. James Roake’s catchphrase rang in his ears “it’s just what he does”, emphasizing Matt's ability to shine even in the heaviest of rain.

Following a slight slip-up by Nat, John eventually seized the opportunity from the resulting short corner and sent a thunderous strike into the back of the net, amplifying Newcastle's lead. As the first half concluded, Newcastle held a comfortable 2-0 advantage, leaving Sunderland drenched and in need of a lifeline.

Despite the relentless rain, the team gathered at halftime for a spirited team talk, fueling their determination with some obligatory Haribo to keep their spirits high. The second half began just as the first, with Newcastle raining down pressure on Sunderland's defense.

Matt, however, seemed to be experiencing a downpour of bad luck, as he continued to miss the goal, much to his frustration, as he watched his shots get carried away by the rain. Finally, Matt managed to find the mark, albeit with a damp squib of a shot that trickled into the bottom corner, becoming his only goal in the game.

To top off their watertight performance on this rainy day, Lawson showcased his agility by redirecting a powerful slap into the circle from John Mac into the top corner, creating a goal worthy of being soaked in glory. As the final whistle blew, Newcastle emerged victorious as the rain continued to pour, drenching Sunderland's hopes of a positive result.

Newcastle's downpour of dominance in this rainy rivalry truly made a splash on the pitch.

MoM - James Roake
DoD - Matt Thomson

Match report by Matt Thomson