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 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.
GUARDIOLA TIPS HAT TO DYCHE: ‘HE’S AMONG THE VERY BEST’
Pep Guardiola hails new Forest boss Sean Dyche as "the best" at set-pieces, noting the trend isn't new. He also revealed that Man City has struggled with dead-ball situations this season compared to rivals like Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola shaking hands with Sean Dyche - COURTESY/PHOTO
According to Pep Guardiola, Nottingham Forest has one of the best representatives of the new fascination in football at their disposal.
Although Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, and their ability to score goals from set pieces are admired by the football community, Guardiola has reminded everyone that the idea is not particularly new.
As demonstrated during his tenure as Burnley's manager from 2012 to 2012, he did, in fact, hail incoming Forest manager Sean Dyche as "one of the greatest."
The 54-year-old guided the Clarets into the Premier League and kept them there for six seasons before exiting Turf Moor.
Forest, who have only won one league game so far and are now in third place, can now access that knowledge.
Man City boss Guardiola said, “It’s true that people utilise every throw-in like a corner and put 10 players there in the box.
"Every move (Michael) Kayode made in the box caused us to suffer when we played at Brentford or watched Brentford play Liverpool in our hotel. Additionally, Kayode was the match's man.
“Today, set pieces are a menace. I recall being in Burnley a long time ago with Sean Dyche. Burnley posed a serious threat in the second and long balls.
"Dyche is by far the finest at these kinds of things. He has already done it; therefore, it is not fresh.
Or Sam Allardyce. Or I recall Stoke City when I was not here. Do you recall the throws made by Stoke City?
Maybe Stoke was the anomaly back then, but more and more teams are doing that now.
"I recall that Arsene Wenger mentioned playing at Stoke City while I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but these days it happens frequently.
It may have happened (only) at Burnley or not at all when I got there, but it is a fact now. You must also pay attention. I still want to play, though.
This season, Arsenal has already scored nine league goals from set pieces, five from open play, and two from penalties.
With eight (plus eight from open play and one penalty), Chelsea is not far behind.
On the other end of the scale, though, are Forest and Man City. While City has scored 12 goals from open play, three more on the counterattack, and two own goals, they have yet to score from a set piece. The Reds have scored two of their five goals from restarts.
"Every manager does what they think," Guardiola stated. I am not ignorant of the fact that I want to score from corners and free kicks. I desire it. However, I dedicate my time to what we need to do to improve our play, attack, and generate opportunities. to score goals.
I pay attention, of course, but I am aware that I am not the manager to try to; I have done that my entire career. When things became rough at Burnley, I recall that we gave up maybe one corner, if any, as the second balls were under our control. That is the most effective method of defending these games.
However, you need to be strong in many areas for that, and we are working on it. I will keep working mostly on our game till the very end. And occasionally, as necessary, adjust.
At Brentford, we performed quite well. James, the French set-piece coach, did a fantastic job of enticing our guys into defending these kinds of acts. The same was true at Arsenal: it was amazing. We did not control the game against Arsenal; therefore, we gave up a lot of corners.
NAPOLI TAKE THREE-POINT LEAD AFTER CLOSE WIN AGAINST LECCE
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's header secured a 1-0 win for Napoli over Lecce, moving them top of Serie A. The victory was sealed after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved a Francesco Camarda penalty.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa celebrates scoring - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa scored another goal to give Napoli a narrow victory over Lecce, although Vanja Milinkovic-Savic also saved a penalty kick from Francesco Camarda.
The thrilling 3-1 victory against Inter put the Partenopei back atop the league, but it came at a price: Kevin De Bruyne will miss several months of action due to a significant thigh strain. Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani returned to the bench, but Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret, and Romelu Lukaku remained on the treatment table. Leonardo Spinazzola and Scott McTominay were rested, and the 4-3-3 formation was reinstated. Following the 3-2 loss to Udinese, Lecce was without Gaby Jean, Filip Marchwinski, Matias Perez, and Riccardo Sottil.
Billy Gilmour's attempt was deflected wide as Napoli wore their special edition Halloween uniform, but Lorenzo Lucca unintentionally charged down a Matteo Politano strike that was on target.
On the Matias Olivera pull-back, Politano turned over from six yards out, while Medon Berisha also threatened by drilling wide from the area's edge.
Olivera had been put clear by a clever Gilmour first-touch lay-off, but Wladimiro Falcone made a fantastic stop with his legs at the near post.
On the cusp of halftime, Francesco Camarda's chest and half-volley was inches wide, yet it would not have been considered handball.
Moments after the restart, Noa Lang added to the growing list of Napoli players out after hobbling off with a hit to the thigh just above the left knee.
Lucca sprinted onto a long ball that Falcone hurried out to nod clear, and Politano's follow-up was charged down with the goalie off his line, creating a double chance to open the score.
After a VAR review, the Lecce penalty was given because Kialonda Gaspar's header on a corner seemed to hit Juan Jesus' hand, which bent back on impact. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has saved five of the past nine Serie A penalties faced, demonstrated his expertise by parrying the spot-kick when Camarda stepped up.
Hojlund made his comeback from injury, with McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola reinforcing the team off the bench for the final half-hour.
It paid off, as a free kick from David Neres was glanced into the far top corner off the head of Anguissa from six yards out, giving Napoli the lead.
Nikola Stulic was too slow to capitalise on a Danilo Veiga pull-back, Elmas shot wide, and Hojlund missed the Neres assist in stoppages.