A Wear-Tyne derby illuminated by a brilliant left-footed volley from Jermain Defoe ended with John Carver issuing a warning that his Newcastle United side could still be sucked into the relegation skirmish.
Sunderland’s fifth straight victory over their north-east neighbours left Dick Advocaat’s side three points clear of the bottom three and only six behind a Newcastle side hit by injury and suspension.
“We’ve got to start looking over our shoulders. We’ve only got 35 points,” said Carver, who conceded that the chances of extending his contract beyond the end of this season have receded. “You need to win these games. But we’re down to the bare bones and we’re thinking about where the next point’s coming from.”
At the end of a weekend illuminated by some superlative goals, it took a moment of extreme quality from Defoe to separate the two currently struggling sides. “It was a fantastic strike,” acknowledged Carver. “It was world-class.”
Some Newcastle fans were upset by television images of Tim Krul, Newcastle’s goalkeeper, congratulating Defoe on his audacious volley as they headed up the tunnel at half-time but Newcastle’s manager was not concerned. “It was a brilliant goal and Tim was probably showing his appreciation for a piece of skill. Tim cares about this football club. I have no criticism of him.”
Carver could not say the same of much of the rest of his team on Sunday although he exempted Jack Colback – who appeared to have a golf ball hurled at him on his return to Sunderland – Jonás Gutiérrez, Daryl Janmaat, Ryan Taylor, Mike Williamson and Krul from blame.
“In the first half we were dreadful,” said Alan Pardew’s successor. “We were second best in every department. Without a makeshift back four sticking to their guns and keeping us in the game we’d have been in big trouble.”
By the end Newcastle had had only one shot on goal. “It’s a concern,” said Carver. “I’m very disappointed. I’m absolutely embarrassed but I’m part of it and I’ve got to deal with it.”
After five straight derby defeats he suspects some of his players cannot handle the stress involved in north-east derbies. “It’s funny the pressure when you cross the white line,” said Carver. “Some people can handle playing in an environment like this. Others can’t.
“Let’s be honest, some players in our dressing room can’t handle this but it’s the manner that hurts me more than anything else. If we’d had a right go and got balls into their box, I could at least say we had a proper go but I can’t manufacture things.”
The brightest spark on Newcastle’s horizon was the performance of Gutiérrez who impressed in an unfamiliar central midfield role only months after completing a course of chemotherapy for testicular cancer. “Jonás gave me 100%,” said Carver. “He is devoid of any criticism.”
Advocaat was much happier at the end of only his second game in charge of Sunderland since succeeding the sacked Gus Poyet last month. He noted a marked improvement on the team’s 1-0 defeat at West Ham before the international break.
“Football wise we did much better than at West Ham. Jermain scored a fantastic goal and for 75 minutes we were dominant,” said the former Holland coach. “We had the chances to score three or four goals. Only at the end did Newcastle have two chances and we were a little bit at risk.”
Advocaat’s decision to recall Billy Jones at right-back proved particularly inspired with Jones fully subduing Sammy Ameobi. “Billy Jones did really well,” said Sunderland’s manager. “But I’m really pleased with the way the team played as a unit. It’s a great boost for everyone.
“I’ve always said we will survive but this is just the first win. And we had to win today. It was the first game after Aston Villa [when Sunderland surrendered 4-0 under Poyet] and there was a lot of pressure on the team. There was so much pressure.”
Defoe said of his goal: “To be honest it’s unbelievable. As soon as it leaves your foot you know it’s going in and it’s an unbelievable feeling. Words can’t even describe how I felt when that went in – it’s quite emotional really.
“It was a massive game and I just wanted to do well. The lads have worked so hard and everyone’s put the effort in. We just wanted the three points as well and I’m delighted we got them.”
Advocaat was particularly pleased with Defoe. “It was not easy but it was a special goal,” he said. “Before the game I said to Jermain, ‘It’s time to do something.’ So I scored the goal!”
