Eddie Howe fighting for his job after Sunderland defeat plunges Newcastle into crisis

“Some people think football is a matter of life and death… I can assure them it’s much more serious than that.” During these perilous and seemingly doom-laden days, Bill Shankly’s famous quote will doubtless come across as hyperbolic drivel to some, and who can blame them. But as a summary of, and insight into the intense, all-consuming passion for the game, that nugget still hits the spot. Perhaps, never more so than today – Newcastle vs Sunderland, one of the great footballing derbies.

As with most bitter rivalries in sport the real tale began off the pitch – this North East battle was forged from a history of economic competition, jealousy and animosity that has simmered throughout the centuries, coming to a boil when these two teams play against each other.

“It’s probably the most intense derby game there is,” said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. “The North East is a hotbed for football, obsessed with the game. This is an intense rivalry, one that we respect.”

Which brings us to today’s match. Having respect for the “intense rivalry” is something that Newcastle fans accused their team of not having in December when, thanks to a Nick Woltemade own goal, Sunderland won 1-0. That in and of itself was bad enough if you are of a black and white persuasion, but it was the manner of the defeat as much as the loss itself that rankled with the Newcastle faithful – to use a sporting cliché (apologies to the literary types reading this…) they didn’t show up.

That makes today all the more intriguing. Throw that in with the fact today’s hosts cannot afford to lose again to their arch-rivals, their 7-2 midweek defeat to Barcelona, Sunderland’s faltering form and you have a recipe for a passionate, no-holds-barred battle where, for some, for a few hours at least, the result matters more than life itself.