Black Cats must keep cool in derby, says goalkeeper Gordon

SUNDERLAND: Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has called on his team-mates to keep their cool as the Black Cats attempt to avenge their 5-1 humiliation at Newcastle in the return fixture today.

Steve Bruce’s side suffered their worst der­­by defeat in more than 50 years at St Ja­­mes’ Park in October as the Magpies ran riot.

Gordon, who missed the game through injury, admitted Sunderland were desperate to atone for their abject defeat but said Bruce had warned his players to stay calm at the Stadium of Light.

“It’s a time for calm heads. If the manager said that’s what he thought the main problem was the last time, then I am sure he is spot-on with that,” Gordon said. “He has had a lot of time to reflect on it, as we all have, and we will be making sure that doesn’t happen again.

The desire to turn the tables on Newcastle was “inescapable,” Gordon said.

“You can’t escape that. Everybody knows how important this is,” he said. “We are desperately trying to put in a better show than we did the last time.

“A lot of supporters will say these are the most important games, regardless of league position or Cup runs or whatever. These are the games they look at and it is up to us to make sure they have got something to shout about come the end of it.”