Newcastle ace ‘all about the physicality’ hailed for FA Cup display v Sunderland

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Lucy Ward has praised Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton for his role in the own
goal Sunderland defender Dan Ballard scored in Saturday’s FA Cup third-round clash.

The Black Cats held the Magpies at the Stadium of Light for the first Wear-Tyne derby since March 2016. But Ballard inadvertently broke the deadlock to hand Newcastle the lead in the 35th minute. The 24-year-old knew he had to step in with Alexander Isak lurking just behind.

Newcastle went ahead at Sunderland with a goal entirely of Joelinton’s making, though. The 27-year-old took his time to find a pass before playing a one-two right inside the Toon’s half. It freed the Brazil international to burst down the flank and get behind right-back Trai Hume.

Joelinton created Newcastle United’s first goal at Sunderland

Hume made a hopeless attempt to tackle Joelinton after accepting the Newcastle player had got in behind Sunderland’s defence. Pierre Ekwah would also stay central for too long. While Luke O’Nien would not shut Joelinton down hastily enough to prevent the midfielder’s cross.

Joelinton had plenty of time to pick his head up and spot Isak lurking over Ballard’s shoulder in the heart of Sunderland’s area. The striker would have had the goal at his mercy if Ballard did not try to intercept Joelinton’s cross. But he could only turn it behind Anthony Patterson.

Lucy Ward praises Joelinton after Dan Ballard’s FA Cup own goal

Ballard could only divert Joelinton’s cross into Sunderland’s net and give Newcastle the lead. He was at full stretch to try and deny Isak a chance to score past Patterson. But the ball was just far enough away from the centre-back to make it impossible for him to prevent the goal.

Joelinton had only offered three assists and three goals through his previous 22 games this season before Newcastle’s FA Cup third-round trip to Sunderland. But what he showed away to the Black Cats to create Ballard’s own goal delighted Ward having put the ball on a plate.

“Joelinton is all about the physicality,” Ward told talkSPORT (6/1, 13:23). “It’s a fantastic ball in. Isak would have scored but Ballard had to play it, and it flies into the back of the net.”