#sunderland-derby

#sunderland-derby

Midnight was fast approaching when Eddie Howe faced a curve-ball question: if he could be offered a draw at the Stadium of Light on Sunday would he accept it? If the typically straight-bat answer no chance, we prepare to win every game was expected, Howe's subsequent reaction spoke volumes about Sunderland's recent metamorphosis. Newcastle's manager was standing on a concrete concourse at the BayArena, where his team were hugely frustrated to have been held 2-2 by Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday, but his focus had switched to a potentially bigger challenge on Wearside.