Newcastle under-21s ran out 3-2 winners over Sunderland in a feisty derby game at St James' Park

Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle got his first taste of the Tyne-Wear derby as he was a keen spectator as the Magpies' under-21s ran out 3-2 winners over Sunderland in a feisty PL2 clash.

Jaissle took his seat in the hospitality area alongside sporting director Ross Wilson and PIF chief and Newcastle director Jacobo Solis, as he got a small glimpse of what to expect when Sunderland make the journey north to St James' Park in December in his first derby match as manager.

The 5,100 fans in attendance from both clubs made plenty of noise and it made for a decent atmosphere and a worthwhile experience for Robbie Stockdale's side, who were playing at the home of the first team for the first time since April 2025.

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Jaissle has been keen to build a 'bridge' between the first team and the academy this season with his assistants Engin Yanova and Florens Koch often present at home games at Whitley Park.

And his attendance at St James' Park was sure to give Stockdale's youngsters a huge lift and he would have been impressed with what he saw in an enthralling game.

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Goals from Kyran Thompson, Park Seung-soo and Vakhtang Salia cancelled out strikes from Trey Ogunsuyi and Felix Scott as the young Magpies edged out their rivals in an enthralling clash under the St James' Park lights.

Newcastle's front four were lively throughout the first half with Johnny Emerson hitting the post and Thompson, Matheos Ferreira and Afner Ca all going close, with Sunderland having goalkeeper Isaac Allan to thank for keeping them in the contest.

Ca had Sunderland panicking every time he got the ball and his physical presence is a real problem for opposition defences at under-21 level.

The 19-year-old joined Newcastle on a free transfer from Levante and has spent the last couple of weeks training with the first team, such is Newcastle's faith in the youngster from Guinea-Bissau.

And after Sunderland winger Ogunsuyi had headed the Black Cats into a first half lead against the run of play, two other youngsters who have been involved with the first team recently combined to get Newcastle back on level terms.

16-year-old goalkeeper Roman Dowell has made huge strides at under-21 level this season and Newcastle have high hopes for the England under-18 international. He made a stunning save from point blank range to prevent Ben Lindon's header from doubling Sunderland's lead and it provided the springboard for Thompson to race clear on the break and smash the ball past Allan and off the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net.

Scott put Sunderland back in front with a fierce left-footed drive before Seung-soo, introduced as a second half substitute, sent a reminder of his qualities.

The South Korean under-23 international dazzled in pre-season last summer after joining from Suwon Bluewings and was named on the bench under Eddie Howe twice last term.

But while other youngsters have been handed opportunities by Jaissle this season, the 19-year-old sent a statement that was impossible for the Magpies head coach to ignore, as he cut inside and rifled a right footed effort into the top corner to level the scores.

With five minutes remaining, Salia then bagged his fifth goal of the season as he headed Kyle Fitzgerald's cross beyond Allan to give Newcastle an 85th minute lead.

Handbags broke out in stoppage time as Park picked up a yellow card for his part in the melee, much to the delight of the crowd, and Newcastle saw out their first PL2 win of the season to pick up a valuable three points and the local bragging rights.