Breaking: Official FA Cup announcement made by the FA for Newcastle United ahead of the Sunderland match
Sunderland and Newcastle United, bitter rivals of Tyne-Wear, square up for the first time in nearly eight years.
Craig Pawson has been named match referee for Sunderland vs. Newcastle United’s Tyne-Wear derby on Saturday (12:45 p.m. kickoff).
The first meeting between the two teams since March 2016 ended in a 1-1 tie at St. James’ Park. Jermaine Defoe gave United the lead, but Aleksandar Mitrovic’s late goal kept them in the game.
After the season, the Magpies were demoted from the Premier League, although they switched positions with Sunderland the following year. After that, the Black Cats were demoted to League One, where they remained for four years until making a comeback to the Championship in 2022.
Newcastle has qualified for the Champions League under Eddie Howe and has changed ownership during that period. Despite this, the team comes into Wearside having lost seven of their previous eight games across all competitions. In the meantime, Sunderland, under new manager Michael Beale, are sixth in the second-tier league after winning two, drawing one, and losing their first three games.
The FA has enlisted the services of a Premier League referee to oversee the match because they anticipate a difficult atmosphere at the Stadium of Light come kickoff.
In September, Pawson played center midfield for Newcastle against Brentford at home. Howe’s team won 1-0 because the Sheffield-born referee gave Anthony Gordon a penalty kick. Converted by Callum Wilson.
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