Goals from Tom Allan and Yannick Toure either side of half-time gave Ben Dawson’s team all three points in an evenly-contested Premier League 2, Division 2, clash. Our reporter Joe Nicholson has dished out his player ratings following the match – scroll down and flick through our picture gallery to see who shone and struggled:
5. Oliver Walters - 7
Was having a solid game at left-back but was forced off just before half-time after making a crucial tackle on Joe Hugill. 7 Photo: Tom Banks
6. Jack Young - 8
Comfortable on the ball in midfield and dictated large parts of the first half. Produced some probing switches of play which almost cut Sunderland open. 8 Photo: Charlotte Tattersall
7. Elliot Anderson - 7
Forced to drop deeper in the second half when Sunderland pushed forward. Stayed disciplined and retrieved some loose balls in the engine room. 7 Photo: Stu Forster
8. Tom Allan - 7
Opened the scoring after two minutes but dipped in and out of the game as Newcastle struggled to create chances from open play. 7 Photo: Ian MacNicol