Sam Allardyce repeats Advocaat, Poyet and Di Canio’s derby feats
Sunday 25 October 2015 17:07, UK
Sam Allardyce became the fourth consecutive Sunderland boss to beat Newcastle in his second game in charge with their 3-0 win on Super Sunday.
Adam Johnson, Billy Jones and Steven Fletcher were on target as Big Sam's men provided the perfect response to their 1-0 defeat by West Brom in his first game in charge.
Amazingly, Dick Advocaat, Gus Poyet and Paolo Di Canio also lost their opening match before beating Newcastle in their second…
Live Ford Super Sunday
Sam Allardyce - Appointed October 9th 2015
First game: Lost to West Brom 1-0 (a)
There was ample controversy about Saido Berahino's goal - the ball bundled in despite appeals for handball and a foul on Costel Pantilimon - but it proved the decisive moment and condemned Allardyce to defeat in his first match in charge of the Wearsiders.
The former Newcastle boss absolved his new players of blame, instead pointing the finger at the referee. "We have had a point taken away from us which was not our fault," he said. "That is a hugely precious point, even at this early stage of the season. I think it is a huge mistake from the [official]."
Second game: Beat Newcastle 3-0 (h)
Newcastle dominated the first half at the Stadium of Light but Fabricio Coloccini's was controversially sent off when he was adjudged to have fouled Fletcher in the box in stoppage time. Johnson dispatched the spot kick, and Jones and Fletcher made the result safe after the break.
Allardyce said: "We've taken full credit out of being a bit fortunate, I think, in the first goal. You get these in football and you've got to take full advantage - we did that. We exploited space and scored three goals. We've seen a lot of them home and away taking the game to opposition. Where they've slipped up is that they've left areas where you can exploit them and we noticed that."
Dick Advocaat - Appointed March 17th 2015
First game: Lost to West Ham 1-0 (a)
Diafra Sakho scored a late winner for the Hammers to leave Advocaat rueing Jermain Defoe's earlier miss at Upton Park. The result left Sunderland just a point above the drop zone with eight games of the season remaining - starting with the derby against Newcastle.
Advocaat said: "We have to win that game (against Newcastle). With our home fans, if they stand behind us, like they did today because they appreciated what we did, we will make it very difficult for Newcastle. This game has given us the tools. You always have to have hope. I have taken confidence from that performance."
Second game: Beat Newcastle 1-0 (h)
Defoe made amends in the very next game as he fired home one of the goals of the season - a stunning left-foot volley to give Sunderland the points against their old rivals. The win lifted Sunderland above Aston Villa and Hull, and took them out of the bottom five.
Advocaat said: "It was working from the beginning to the end. The way we worked, the way we played. I'm really proud of them. It was a brilliant goal and besides that we had plenty of opportunities to score more goals. We gave one chance away but overall I thought we deserved it. If we keep playing like this we will give every opponent a very difficult time."
Gus Poyet - Appointed October 8th 2013
First game: Lost to Swansea 4-0 (a)
It could hardly have been a worse start for Poyet as a four-goal defeat at the Liberty Stadium left Sunderland six points adrift of 18th-placed Norwich let alone safety. Own goals by Phil Bardsley and Steven Fletcher added to the calamitous mood at the club.
Poyet said: "It is not a nice welcome to the Premier League for me but it is where we are. There is no place to hide and you have to take it. It's up to us. There is nothing to complain about and we will make sure we keep working to sort it out for next week when we play Newcastle, which is one of the biggest games for the fans."
Second game: Beat Newcastle 2-1 (h)
After the agony came the ecstasy as Fabio Borini's late winner not only gave Sunderland another derby win over Newcastle but also lifted them off the bottom of the Premier League at the expense of Crystal Palace.
Poyet said: "I think everything is big today. It was the first win, which is key - you need to start winning football games - against our biggest rivals, in my first home game, somehow. I'm sure that, at least for the next few days, the fans are going to be delighted and the players are going to be relieved. Everything was spot on."
Paolo Di Canio - March 31st 2013
First game: Lost to Chelsea 2-1 (a)
Sunderland slipped closer to relegation with only goal difference keeping them out of the drop zone following defeat at Stamford Bridge. The Black Cats had boasted a half-time lead but a Matthew Kilgallon own goal and Branislav Ivanovic's winner saw them beaten.
Di Canio said: "We have got to do much better. The lads are ready to work hard and we'll analyse the mistakes. That way people can improve and next time they'll consider doing something else. We don't have time to cry. At the moment everything is negative, but we are not worried because we are going to do the right job to stay in the league. I believe in the quality of my players."
Second game: Beat Newcastle 3-0 (a)
Sunderland' first win under Di Canio was a spectacular one as they beat Newcastle for the first time in 13 years. It was emphatic too as three wonderful goals by Stephane Sessegnon, Adam Johnson and David Vaughan moved them three points clear of the drop zone.
Di Canio said: "They were warriors. You can't be more proud than this. They did everything, they gave everything, they left all of their energy on the field. In terms of the result for this area, it is an incredible step. But in terms of the table, it is only a small step to try and get this club out of the relegation zone. We have to be intelligent because the main job is not done."
