'Oh my goodness' - Joe Hart heaps praise on Sunderland after Newcastle United win in Match of the Day verdict
Sunderland ran out 1-0 winners over Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon
Match of the Day pundit Joe Hart has heaped praise on Sunderland for the intensity of their performance in Sunday’s Wear-Tyne Derby victory over Newcastle United.
The Black Cats produced a dogged display at the Stadium of Light to see off their bitter local rivals, with a Nick Woltemade own goal ultimately proving enough to hand Regis Le Bris’ side all three points.
And while Hart conceded that it was a contest lacking in attacking quality and goalmouth action, he was quick to hail Sunderland for their commitment to hassling and harrying their visitors into submission on Wearside.
What did Joe Hart say about Sunderland’s derby victory over Newcastle United?
Speaking on Sunday’s edition of Match of the Day, the former England goalkeeper said: “Oh my goodness me. When you look at that starting line-up, you're obviously not seeing any locals born in the city of Sunderland, but, jeez, they represented like they were born in Sunderland today. It was an incredible effort. The tenacity, it was an absolutely brilliant game, if you’re looking for an old-school English derby. From the off, [Brian] Brobbey setting the tone, but they didn't just press recklessly, they pressed really intelligently. They kept setting little traps for Newcastle, shutting them down.
“And then here we see Woltemade, that is Newcastle's main man, absolutely no doubt about it, and if you want a stadium to erupt, bang, [Dan] Ballard in, turns the big man over and they're on the front foot again. But as I say, it wasn't reckless. They were pressing on the front foot, sending Newcastle down little angles and little avenues that they didn't want to be, which allowed Sunderland to get on the front foot. They were able to push them back, and it looked a little bit like they'd run out of ideas eventually.”
The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.
When asked whether a full-blooded contest had, at times, threatened to boil over, Hart replied: “A little bit, but I think they were good on his tackles. Obviously, the Dan Burn one isn't great on the eye, but I think he'll appreciate that. He's a big, fair player. We don't want to see anyone get hurt, but the intensity was incredible today.”
Meanwhile, fellow pundit Theo Walcott added: “It's a great feeling at the whole club at this moment in time... They're here to stay, aren't they, Sunderland, I feel. And you can kind of feel the whole connection to the club. But look, they are in a good moment, and they continue to be like that.”
Your next Sunderland read: Sunderland clearly trolls Newcastle United after derby win as Dan Burn heads to hospital – moments missed