Simon Jordan explains why Sunderland will 'always' be in Newcastle United's shadow despite Tyne-Wear derby win
Sunderland beat Newcastle United 2-1 at St. James’ Park last weekend.
TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan has claimed that Newcastle United will “always” be a bigger club than Sunderland, despite last weekend’s dramatic Tyne-Wear derby win for the Black Cats.
A late 2-1 victory at St. James’ Park extended the visitors’ unbeaten run over their bitter rivals to 11 Premier League matches - including a 1-0 triumph at the Stadium of Light back in December - while also taking them above the Magpies in the top flight table.
What did Simon Jordan say about Sunderland and Newcastle United after Tyne-Wear derby?
But nevertheless, Jordan has insisted that it is Newcastle who still reign supreme in the North East. Reflecting on a tough week for Eddie Howe’s side that saw them crash out of the Champions League after a 7-2 loss at the hands of Barcelona as well, the former Crystal Palace chairman said: “I think probably the Sunderland result [was more chastening for Newcastle], because it follows on the back of a necessity to bounce back.
“You've got to live in this city. And the rivalry between these two football clubs is significant. You've already been beaten by them once. The last thing you want to be doing is following up a bad result against Barcelona, where you've had your backsides handed to you in the second half, [with another defeat].
“You want to bounce back and you want to set it right. You want to give the fans something to cheer about. If you look at the atmosphere before the kick-off, it was absolutely electric. If you look at all the tifos that were going on, all that sort of stuff, it was a stadium to be in. They score a goal and they're in the ascendancy. And all of a sudden, I didn't think they were in control of the game at any point.
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“Sunderland looked to me quite composed. Even though Newcastle were full of fervour and full of bluster initially, Sunderland still, despite the fact their centre-back [Luke O’Nien], kicks the ball straight down the middle of the park to one of the Newcastle players and the goalkeeper and him make a decision that doesn't seem to have a lot of thought behind it... But Sunderland, you've got to admire them. The centre-forward [Brian Brobbey] drove their centre-backs mad. He bullied Sven Botmann, he bullied Dan Byrne, and you don't get to do that very often with those two boys. And so fair play to them.
“But listen, there have been many, many sides, irrespective of how much you must congratulate Sunderland, that have come up from the Championship and in their first season and shown something that people didn’t quite expect. Swansea did it all those years ago by playing a brand of football. Sheffield United came up a couple of years ago and surprised everybody. Let's see, with due respect, how they go on next season.
“And are they still in Newcastle’s shadow? Are Newcastle a bigger club than Sunderland? With due respect to the region, with due respect to the football clubs, they will always be, in my view.”