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Going into the first Wear-Tyne derby for eight years, Sunderland fans had every reason to be upbeat about their chances of knocking bitter rivals Newcastle United out of the FA Cup. While their neighbours from St James’ Park play in the division above them, their record in the competition over the past two decades has been fairly atrocious and has not improved in recent seasons under the new ownership regime. While Newcastle may have rocketed up the Premier League since the arrival of their Saudi owners, their FA Cup woes have continued and even under the transformative hand of Eddie Howe, they have twice been embarrassed in the third round by lower-league opposition. Given their lengthy knack list and appalling away form, there is every chance that run of early exits could continue on Saturday when Sunderland welcome them to the Stadium of Light.
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