Sunderland 'warrior' hailed as Premier League best after Wear-Tyne derby win against Newcastle

One Sunderland star has been described as ‘an absolute warrior’ after playing an integral role in Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby win against Newcastle United.

The anticipation and excitement was been building for weeks as the two sides prepared to meet in a Premier League fixture for the first time in almost a decade and a performance of intensity and energy helped Regis Le Bris’ side come out on top. In a game of few genuine chances, the Black Cats always looked the more likely of the two sides to grab a winner and it came early in the second half as Magpies record signing Nick Woltemade found his own net with a header as he attempted to cut out a cross from the right-hand side.

Although the Magpies enjoyed plenty of possession in the final 20 minutes, their chances to grab an equaliser were limited as Sunderland kept their arch rivals at bay with a calm and composed performance as the nerves reached fever pitch. There were outstanding performances throughout the side and captain Granit Xhaka led from the front once again as he produced another display that has shown why the Stadium of Light faithful have taken him to their hearts so quickly following his summer arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.

The Switzerland international also has an admirer in Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards, who described Xhaka as the signing of the season after the impact he made following his arrival on Wearside.

He told Sky Sports: “This man, we talked about him before the game, was brilliant again. He was an absolute warrior in midfield. What a player he has been, what a signing. I’m going to say he’s been the signing of the season so far, that’s how big I’m going. Absolutely immaculate in everything he does. He’s just brilliant.”

What has Granit Xhaka said about Sunderland’s Wear-Tyne derby win against Newcastle United?

“Derbies are here to win, it doesn’t matter how,” he told Sky Sports. “These guys, I know how painful it was two or three years ago when they lost here and they motivated us because of this much more than before. Many players had been in the Championship, now they are in the Premier League, this team deserves much more than this, the respect, because where we are is amazing. We working day-by-day, very hard, and we deserve to be where we are.”

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