Sunderland cursing bitter rivals Newcastle as they play huge role in Black Cats blowing chance to close gap on top two
Sunderland cursing bitter rivals Newcastle as they play huge role in Black Cats blowing chance to close gap on top two
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Sponsored by. SUNDERLAND were left cursing bitter rivals Newcastle after blowing the chance to close the gap on the top two. And Miron Muslic kept his promise he would not leave the North East a beaten man as Nathanael Ogbeta secured a 2-2 draw at the death for the basement boys.
![[Sunderland soccer players looking dejected on the field.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/sunderland-players-luke-o-nien-966594971.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The Pilgrims boss revealed he called in a favour as they travelled up 24 hours early on Thursday to avoid Storm Eowyn. Muslic, who made five changes from Wednesday’s 5-0 defeat to Burnley, revealed: “We arrived here having the opportunity to use the training facilities of Newcastle United.
![[Plymouth Argyle players celebrating a goal.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/plymouth-players-celebrate-first-sky-966613972.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“I used my contact with Paul Mitchell, the sporting director, so they gave us all the facilities we needed. We actually used this storm to work on the pitch and I think it was good. “We stayed together for two days so we could use it for some tactical sessions and some video analysis and just to get a little bit closer and to know each other. So in the end the possible disadvantage was actually an advantage.
![[UEFA Champions League soccer balls on a training field.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/champions-league-ball-seen-newcastle-852780501.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“With the hospitality of Newcastle United, that was the only thing with it. They told me I cannot lose the game over here. So I kept my word.”. Sunderland, meanwhile, were poor all afternoon as Regis Le Bris’ side face the prospect of potentially being four points off automatic promotion by Monday.
![[Match stats graphic showing Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle: shots on target, shots, blocked shots, possession, passes, completed passes, tackles, fouls conceded, and corners.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/the-sun-22-23-match-stats-beef3652-d8ee-4d9e-bcf7-18c7cfb50000.png?strip=all&w=960)
They were nearly punished when Anthony Patterson’s clearance fell straight to Adam Randall, but the keeper managed to scramble back to save his long-distance strike. After a poor opening half hour, the impatient crowd had something to cheer as Sunderland registered their first shot on target when Dan Neil’s vicious volley was tipped wide by the full-stretched Conor Hazard.
