Touching the foot of Stokoe is a supporter ritual, and more than two hours before kick-off, there were Sunderland fans doing just that. Bradley Sharp, 34, and his son Archie, 14, were two of them. “We’ve done it since I first came with granda and my dad,” Sharp said. “Touching the boot, it’s something we’ve done since I started bringing him along.”

Preview the matchup between Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC with predictions, odds, over/under, betting lines and more.

Post-match, Bruno’s now-predictable offerings about Newcastle “being a better team than Sunderland” felt somewhat inconsequential. They certainly weren’t on Sunday, and player for player, they haven’t been during 2025/2026 thus far.

Nick Woltemade’s own goal earned Sunderland the Wear-Tyne derby spoils with a 1-0 win over Newcastle. After a physical first half provided few real chances for either side, the hosts went ahead one minute after the break when Woltemade inexplicably sent a header flying into his own net off the underside of the crossbar from Nordi Mukiele’s cross.

Martin and Andrew got together with Scott Wilson from the Northern Echo to relive the game, and talk about what it means for Sunderland. • Is that the worst opposition performance we’ve faced this season? • Were Scott and Andrew surprised at just how meek The Visitors were? • Who were the stand out performers for the lads?

Preview the matchup between Fulham and Sunderland AFC with predictions, odds, over/under, betting lines and more.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. An investigative journalist who also writes about European soccer. SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - JULY 29: New Sunderland signing Granit Xhaka performs media duties at The Academy of Light on ...

Nordi Mukiele of Sunderland celebrates after scoring against Wolves Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images Noon, Saturday, Sunderland city centre. As children kick balls around the busy, renovated Keel Square, a giant screen above them shows ...

Sunderland are saddened as they mourn the death of club legend Gary Rowell ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby, with both Black Cats and Newcastle paying tribute.

With a transfer window about to start, it can be seen the strong interest in several players in the market, especially in a follow-up that leads to Serie A.

Sunderland savoured their sweetest victory in years on Sunday, beating Newcastle United 1-0 in a Premier League derby that served as perfect revenge for a painful FA Cup humiliation in 2024.