Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle: Nick Woltemade’s nightmare own goal gifts Black Cats derby victory on Wearside
Report and free match highlights as Nick Woltemade's own goal decided the derby on Wearside as Sunderland beat Newcastle 1-0 at the Stadium of Light. German striker headed beyond his own goalkeeper to send Sunderland up to seventh in the table
Sunday 14 December 2025 19:58, UK
Nick Woltemade's calamitous own goal was the difference in the derby as Sunderland beat rivals Newcastle 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.
The £69m signing from Stuttgart did not have a sniff at the other end but his 46th-minute header beyond his own goalkeeper was unstoppable. In what was the first Premier League meeting between the sides since 2016, Newcastle simply had no response.
It means Newcastle have lost their last four league games at Sunderland, the Black Cats now unbeaten in 10 against them in league competition. In a game of few chances, it was Regis Le Bris' side who deserved the points for their endeavour.
Eddie Howe tried to change things off the bench but to no avail as resolute Sunderland defending kept them at bay. The Black Cats move up to seventh in the Premier League table, now four points clear of their rivals who find themselves down in 12th spot.
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How Sunderland won the derby
Sunderland started like a team that had been waiting for this fixture all week, maybe even the best part of a decade, bringing the greater intensity amid an incredible atmosphere. There were tackles flying but quality too from Regis Le Bris' side.
The performance just lacked the goal that their greater purpose deserved in the opening 45 minutes with Dan Ballard's header the closest they came. Newcastle, who lost Dan Burn to an ugly challenge from Nordi Mukiele, looked tentative in comparison.
The Anthonys on the wing - Gordon and Elanga - struggled to provide the support Woltemade needed, sitting so deep, and none of the midfield trio were willing to break beyond him either. It was cautious but Newcastle were behind before Howe changed it.
Woltemade was attempting to cut out Mukiele's right-wing cross but succeeded only in nodding the ball beyond the helpless Aaron Ramsdale. It was a nightmare for the big German but a dream day for the Sunderland supporters inside the Stadium of Light.
Ballard's 'revenge' mission
Sunderland player of the match Ballard admitted that the pain of Newcastle posing for a picture in front of the away end at the Stadium of Light following an FA Cup tie on Wearside in 2024 was in the players' thinking as they mimicked the celebration.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Ballard said: "That hurt last time. A lot of the players wanted to do it - but it is what it is. The most important thing was three points and winning today."
On those painful memories of their previous encounter, where Ballard's own goal was the first in Newcastle's 3-0 win that day, he said: "Words can't describe it. Thinking back to the last game, it was so painful. For the players, for the fans, it felt like we let them down. We were so determined this time. Especially the boys who were there and experienced that day.
"It prepared us more for today, we came into the game with a lot more quality in the team and some strong leaders. It wasn't the prettiest game but we stuck in there, we fought hard and thoroughly deserved the win."
Howe: Sorry for our performance
Howe was left to reflect on what he described as a "bizarre" own goal by Woltemade as the Newcastle boss apologised to his team's supporters following their defeat to rivals Sunderland.
"Criticism comes with every defeat but with this one it is louder and stronger, given the importance of the game," said Howe, speaking in the press conference.
"I am so disappointed for the supporters and sorry for our performance in terms of the lack of goalmouth action, the clinical attacking which we pride ourselves on."
Although Howe argued that Newcastle had defended well and this had not been as poor as the defeats to Brentford and West Ham earlier in the season, he later added: "It was not the finest example of what we want to be. I take full responsibility."
Carra: Newcastle played with fear
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
"I think there was fear from Newcastle going into this game.
"That fed into the performance. When Eddie Howe spoke after the game, he apologised for their performance in attack, no creativity. There was a fear from Newcastle that they didn't want to lose the game but they didn't want to go win it either.
"For two summers running he hasn't had a lot of help. They are really worrying results and manner of those defeats too. That's not what I associate with Eddie Howe's Newcastle team. Maybe with his Bournemouth team where you could get after them. Newcastle are a huge club with big ambitions. Howe has done a brilliant job - I'm not sure he could have done much more.
"But once you've won a trophy and got Champions League, the next stage is going to challenge for a league title. But Howe has not been helped by a lack of leadership at the top of the club. It's felt like Howe has been the chief executive, director of football, involved with transfers. I think he has been let down by Newcastle."
