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SUNDERLAND CONFIRM NEW ARRANGEMENTS AS NEWCASTLE HEAD BACK TO WEARSIDE

Sunderland confirms there are currently no plans for the Premier League's Wear-Tyne derby against Newcastle in December to be a 'bubble match', allowing away fans to arrange their own travel for now.

Sunderland confirm new arrangements as Newcastle head back to Wearside
Sunderland v Newcastle United - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - January 6, 2024 Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes in action with Sunderland's Alex Pritchard Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

According to Sunderland, there are presently no preparations for the Wear-Tyne derby in the Premier League in December to be a bubble match.

The Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light in December is not currently scheduled to be a "bubble match," according to Sunderland.

Sunday, December 14's Premier League competitive matchup with Newcastle United will mark the teams' first competitive encounter since 2015. For the time being, away fans will be allowed to arrange their own travel, unlike during the FA Cup match in January of last year, when stringent travel restrictions forced Newcastle supporters to ride on official club transport under police supervision.

According to the minutes of the most recent Sunderland Supporter Collective meeting, "the forthcoming match against Newcastle United was discussed." Away fans will have the freedom to select their mode of transportation to the Stadium of Light, as AL indicated that there are currently no plans for the encounter to be a "bubble match." The stadium is working closely with the police and fan representatives to ensure that all supporters have a safe experience, but there are obstacles because the Stadium of Light's footprint has changed in recent months.

Though talks between the club, police, and supporter organisations will continue as planning moves forward, the update suggests a more flexible approach to derby-day logistics. There is a good potential that things might change before the game at the Stadium of Light.

One of the most storied and intense rivalries in English football is the Wear-Tyne derby, sometimes referred to as the North East or Wear-Tyne derby. The two teams, which are only 12 miles apart, first faced off in 1883. Five years later, Sunderland defeated Newcastle East End 2-0 in the FA Cup, marking their first competitive meeting.

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Since then, the North East rivals have played 157 competitive games against one another. Newcastle United leads the record with 54 victories to Sunderland's 53, with 50 draws (not including friendlies). The match in December is expected to rekindle one of the game's greatest historical rivalries, which has characterised North East football for over a century, now that both teams are back in the Premier League.

However, the rivalry's origins go far beyond football. Newcastle and Sunderland have a long history of animosity that began during the English Civil War, when Sunderland supported Parliament in response to disagreements over the trading advantages enjoyed by Royalist Newcastle merchants. During the 18th-century Jacobite uprisings, the division reappeared, with Sunderland supporting the Scottish Stuarts and Newcastle supporting the Hanoverian King George.

With both teams now back in the Premier League, the match in December promises to rekindle the passion, clamour, and intensity that characterise the North East derby. This centuries-old civic split has developed into one of the nation's most intense football rivalries.

CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF

Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.

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Conor Gallagher secured first Spurs assist as Tottenham snatched a point at City

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.

Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.

His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.

Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.

Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.

Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.

AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE

Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.

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Mateta’s "dream move" suddenly turned toxic.

Jean Philippe-Mateta’s got a real headache right now. The Crystal Palace striker just watched his £30 million dream move to AC Milan blow up at the last minute, all because a knee problem showed up during his medical.

The thing is, Mateta’s been carrying this injury for a while. Now he’s stuck: should he go under the knife and try to recover in time for the World Cup? He wants to make the France squad this summer, but nothing’s guaranteed. Even if he has surgery, there’s no telling if he’ll be fit enough—or have enough time on the pitch—to convince Didier Deschamps he deserves a spot.

The injury’s been dragging him down anyway. It’s messing with his form and his game time, and he’s worried he won’t get a real shot at proving himself for France if he isn’t at his best.

It’s tough because he’s coming off a fantastic year at Palace. FA Cup winner, big goals, helped the club reach Europe—it’s been a dream run. But now he might have to go back to Selhurst Park, even though he’s made it clear he’s had enough and wants out.

Honestly, it feels like only a matter of time before he leaves. His contract runs out next summer, and Palace can’t risk losing him for nothing. They’ve already watched Marc Guehi go to Man City for a bargain, just because his deal was running down.

Now Mateta has to sit down with Palace and the doctors to figure out what to do about his knee. Surgery would sideline him for months, probably killing his World Cup chances.

He’s gutted about Milan falling through, especially after Juventus cooled their interest and Nottingham Forest had an offer turned down. Over the weekend, he even unfollowed Palace on Instagram and posted a fed-up emoji. No one really knows if he’ll even make the squad for the Brighton game.

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