Quick Kicks: Thoughts On Sunderland's 3-0 Derby Victory

Three Is The Magic Number

The last time Sunderland managed to beat Newcastle United three times in a row was over 90-years ago. The last time Sunderland managed a derby double over our nearest and dearest was in 1966/67. The last time they won on Tyneside 3-0 was just last season.

All three were repeated on Saturday. Glorious.

Another Away Win

Take away the fact it was a derby and a 3-0 victory away from home at a side currently sitting in the top eight of the Premier League is nothing short of brilliant and given scores elsewhere, it was also much needed.

Sunderland not only won, they deserved to, dominating large sections of the game by employing a neat passing game, playing the game rather than the occasion. Newcastle fell into the trap of playing the occasion and certainly suffered as a result.

Given the tough away games remaining and Sunderland's excellent form on the road, this was a superb win in its own right. The fact it was a derby makes it a moment a savour.

Jozy Altidore

The big American striker has upped his performance level massively in the last two matches. Firstly against Stoke, where he won his battles with a notoriously tough central defence before his removal from the field saw Sunderland begin to struggle against ten men. On Saturday at St James' Park, he repeated the trick but for 90 minutes.

A fluffed one on one opportunity aside, he was magnificent; his flick for Jack Colback that led to the second goal was nothing sort of sublime. You get the feeling a goal would really see him take off at this point.

Although his confidence is low in front of goal, his all round game is that good at present, you have to think that if he can bury a chance see, we could see a complete transformation in him.

For now though, praise where it's due for a man who has been much maligned this season.

Loan Stars Strike Again

Okay, only one of them actually scored this weekend, Fabio Borini netting his second against Newcastle this season from the penalty spot, but his fellow loanees Marcos Alonso and Ki Sung Yeung were also fantastic.

If Sunderland can make all three of these players permanent signings then they'll have done spectacularly well and their additions would provide an excellent platform on which to build next summer, if we stay up.

There's something about Sunderland and loan players who just love scoring against Newcastle and Borini certainly seemed to enjoy his moment... again.

Central Midfield

Liam Bridcutt slotted into the team as if he'd been a Premier League footballer for his entire career, not someone who had just been signed from Championship club Brighton and thrown into the engine room for a massive derby. He was composed and assured, with Jack Colback and Ki making up a midfield three that dominated their opponents.

Colback in particular, was superb - here's hoping he signs a new deal - and deserved his goal, which he finished with aplomb.

It's amazing to think that when Sunderland lost at Crystal Palace, most supporters were left scratching their heads as Paolo Di Canio selected David Vaughan and Sebastian Larsson as a midfield pair, with summer signing Cabral left on the bench.

Cabral and Vaughan have gone and Sunderland have never looked better in the engine room. Huge credit must go to Gus Poyet who has completely reshaped the team and bolstered this crucial area of the pitch.