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Sunderland AFC have taken swift action after Brian Brobbey was on the receiving end of vile racist abuse in the aftermath of Sunday's 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur

Sunderland AFC have released a statement after Brian Brobbey was targeted by abhorrent online racist abuse on Sunday.

The Black Cats ran out 1-0 winners over Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light, Nordi Mukiele's second-half strike making the difference in the encounter. However, in the aftermath, Brobbey's Instagram page was flooded by racist comments from hateful online social media users.

In the aftermath, Sunderland AFC have now released a statement to confirm they have taken action. It read: "Sunderland AFC condemns in the strongest possible terms the racist abuse directed at Brian Brobbey on social media following Sunday's fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.

"We stand firmly with Brian and offer him our full and unwavering support. This is not an isolated incident.

"Recent abuse directed at Romaine Mundle and Lutsharel Geertruida highlights the ongoing and unacceptable frequency of this behaviour, both inside stadiums and online.

"The club has reported the incident to the Premier League, the relevant social media platforms, and the police, and we expect swift action to be taken against those responsible.

"Racism is abhorrent and has no place in or game or in society, and we will continue to call it out clearly and unapologetically every time it occurs.

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"Football must be a safe and inclusive environment for all - without exception."

It comes as a number of Sunderland players have been on the receiving end of racist abuse this season.

The club confirmed that they were "working with the relevant authorities and online platforms to identify those responsible" and pledged to take the "strongest possible action" in February, when Mundle was targeted by hateful online comments.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United also released a statement when Geertruida was reportedly targeted with in-person abuse by a crowd member at St James' Park in last month's Tyne-Wear Derby.

They wrote: "We are aware of a report of racism made by a visiting player against someone in the crowd during our Premier League match against Sunderland.

"Our stance is clear - we do not tolerate discrimination of any form.

"We will work with the authorities to fully investigate and will ensure any individuals are identified and held accountable."

Several players could miss Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light, with both Regis Le Bris and Roberto De Zerbi managing mounting injury issues

Regis Le Bris has ruled out six Sunderland players for the Premier League match against an injury-hit Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light.

Dan Ballard (hamstring) and Nilson Angulo (muscle) are both close to returning, but the Spurs match comes too soon for the pair. Bertrand Traore (knee), Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle), Romaine Mundle (hamstring) and Simon Moore (hand) are also still sidelined.

Le Bris, however, said the rest of the group are available, so Robin Roefs is back in contention after recovering from a hamstring injury. Enzo Le Fee, Nordi Mukiele and Reinildo are three more who the head coach can call on again.

Roberto De Zerbi, meanwhile, could find himself short of 10 players for his debut as the new Tottenham head coach. Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Mohammed Kudus (thigh) and Wilson Odobert (knee) are all long-term casualties and remain on the sidelines.

Ben Davies (ankle) is pencilled in to return in late April. Guglielmo Vicario (hernia) and Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring) are in a race to prove their fitness ahead of next week's home match against Brighton & Hove Albion, but will not feature at the Stadium of Light.

Mathys Tel (knock), Pape Matar Sarr (shoulder) and Yves Bissouma (knock) are all sweating on their availability for Sunday's fixture.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi first provided an update on Kudus, who has suffered a setback in his recovery from a lengthy quadricep injury.

Their head coach said: "I started not with too big luck, but yes, Kudus was in my head a crucial player, especially for the position, but we have to look forward anyway.

"I think we have a lot of very good attackers, and we have to help them, to put them in the best condition to show their qualities, because [Randal] Kolo Muani, I know he's not playing a great season, but he's a good player.

De Zerbi then addressed Vicario, who underwent hernia surgery following the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last time out. He said: "Vicario is not ready for this game. I hope he comes back earlier next week, but I don't know yet."

Bentancur is also edging closer to returning from a thigh problem. De Zerbi said he "is working with us, but not completely, but we are enough to fight, to play and to make points."

Sunderland host Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light on Sunday

Depleted Spurs could be without up to 10 players for their trip to Sunderland on Sunday with Roberto De Zerbi facing a major selection headache ahead of his first game in charge.

Injury concerns continue to mount for the north London club ahead of a crucial fixture, particularly for the visitors who are battling against relegation to the Championship.

Long-term knee injuries to Wilson Odobert and Dejan Kulusevski are expected to keep both out, while James Maddison remains sidelined with a knee injury. Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies and Guglielmo Vicario are all targeting returns this month, but are unlikely to be risked.

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Yves Bissouma and Mathys Tel are also doubts with knocks – though the former was spotted in training recently – further limiting De Zerbi’s options as he prepares for his first game in charge.

There are also fresh concerns over Pape Matar Sarr. The midfielder picked up a shoulder injury while on international duty with Senegal and missed their recent win over Gambia. He has not yet been seen in training since returning to the club, casting doubt over his involvement this weekend.

A clearer picture is expected when De Zerbi speaks to the press for the first time ahead of the game later this week, with updates likely on several key players.

For Sunderland, the timing could be significant. Régis Le Bris’ side are pushing for a top-10 finish and harbour outside hopes of a European place, while Spurs arrive on Wearside under pressure and short on numbers.

With both teams chasing very different objectives, the availability of De Zerbi’s squad could prove decisive.

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Exclusive: Eddie Howe has made it clear he won't walk away from Newcastle United

Eddie Howe has made it crystal clear he has no interest in managing anybody but Newcastle United despite ongoing talk about his future.

With the England conversation now closed - after Thomas Tuchel committed himself to the Three Lions until 2028 - speculation linked Howe with the Tottenham Hotspur job, with Igor Tudor only in charge until the end of the season. Man United are also undecided on whether Michael Carrick stays on beyond May and Howe is believed to be on the Red Devils' radar.

But Howe explained to ChronicleLive exclusively from Baku that he sees Newcastle as a 'long-term and exciting project', and reiterated his feelings haven't changed since he told me back in October that he was 'all in' at the club.

"I'm still in it for the long haul," he said. "All of those things haven’t changed for me.

"There’s got to be a good feeling, there’s got to be the team moving forward, there’s got to be the players playing for us and showing that every week.

"They’re always the most important people, the players, and how they feel and how they play. Me, personally, I’m really happy as long as the team’s playing well."

ChronicleLive also caught up with supporters in Baku on the eve of the game with many of them backing Howe despite online critics making plenty of noise in light of recent defeats.

One fan, Gary from North Tyneside, said: "It winds me up when I see people having a go at Eddie, for what he has achieved at this club.

"He should be looked at as Kevin Keegan was. For me, he will always be an iconic figure, and I don't say this lightly, but he's up there with Keegan and Peter Beardsley in terms of black and white icons."

When those comments were relayed to Howe during a chat in a dimly lit corridor at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, he was overwhelmed by the backing.

Howe said: "It means everything that. Without the supporters, you are nothing, in terms of their support and goodwill.

"I have always felt that on match days, I have never had a problem with the match day experience, of course we have played badly and people have quite rightly let us know that. In terms of the general support and feeling, I have always felt that Newcastle supporters are fully behind us."

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Anybody who writing off Kieran Trippier may well be doing so too early as the ex-Atletico Madrid and England man proved his worth at Spurs

Newcastle United looked a lot like their old selves in their big win against Tottenham Hotspur last night with Kieran Trippier a huge part of a triumphant return to his ex-employers.

Trippier had enjoyed a positive reception as he walked in the stadium at teatime on Tuesday night. And he looked determined, at 35, to show the home fans that he still had plenty to offer in the Premier League.

With his contract up at the end of the season and Newcastle still undecided whether to give him a new one, Trippier can only roll his sleeves up and play for his future - whether that's on Tyneside or elsewhere. It's worth remembering that only a few months ago, Trippier threw his hat into the England ring and volunteered his services for the Three Lions at the World Cup.

After a tough performance against Brentford just a few days ago, in which he was outpaced by Dango Ouattara, some may say he needs to get it right at club level first. But while many groaned when the team sheets came out, and Trippier was named as right-back with Lewis Miley at home injured, he stepped up to deliver.

He showed all his experience and guile to drag Newcastle through this fixture and provided the right amount of service for Anthony Elanga to have one of his best games for the club. No Newcastle player had more touches than Trippier (74), and he had the most passes of any Toon star.

However, there was a moment in the game in which Trippier struggled to keep his emotions in check. Indeed, when Xavi Simons edged past Trippier in the second half, it looked like the ex-England man was in trouble.

But as the Dutch international went down in a heap, it became clear that Trippier was not guilty, and a yellow card was issued by Anthony Taylor after a clear dive. Trippier was disgusted with the Tottenham star and walked towards him, pointing his finger at the Dutchman.

TV replays later showed there was no contact and revealed a shocking dive, and while the resultant free-kick did break down for Newcastle, the Magpies won the ball back with Jacob Ramsey eventually slotting home the winner.

It proved to be a key moment but had wily campaigner Trippier not reacted with authority rather than losing his head, the referee could easily have been swayed the other way. If this is Trippier's last effort for Newcastle, he is determined to go about things the right way.

Little wonder it was Trippier's masterplan, along with Bruno Guimaraes, to shove Eddie Howe to the front and lap up some applause from the 3,038 travelling fans.

The away day blues ended - quite literally

The Magpies boxed off three points with a narrow win in the capital against Spurs thanks to goals from Malick Thiaw and Ramsey.

And this was the first win of the season wearing the blue away kit, at the sixth time of asking. Based on the 1997/98 away kit, a shirt that never experienced a single win in the Premier League, many fans were wondering whether this kit should be chucked into the trash can of history.

However, if Newcastle never wear it again, at least it will be a reminder of this important win over Spurs.

Ton up for Nick Pope

Nick Pope will have had more lively nights than last night in the capital as he watched on as a spectator for long periods against Spurs.

An Archie Gray goal denied him a clean sheet, but he still walked away with a win in his 100th appearance for the Magpies. He made just one save but at 33 he will take more days like this!

After suffering a couple of howlers in recent games, this was exactly what he needed. The England international has been a major part of two Champions League qualifications and will now step up to play his part in a push for another ticket to Europe.

First half stats

Here's some of the numbers from the first period which illustrates how dominant Newcastle were.

Half-time

Well that was a crazy final few minutes. The Magpies thought they'd led through Willock only for VAR to rule his eyebrows were offside. Clownshow.

But Newcastle weren't to be denied and five minutes into stoppage time, Thiaw opens the scoring. No more than they deserve!

First half ratings

Nick Pope 7

Has been a spectator so far.

Kieran Trippier 7

Has done OK and tried to get Elanga unlocked down the right.

Malick Thiaw 8

A steady shift and a goal to boot.

Sven Botman 7

Battled hard but has looked slightly vulnerable when in a foot race. Brilliant challenge on Solanke at the end of the half.

Dan Burn 6

Steady but unspectacular.

Bruno Guimaraes 7

Attempting to pick holes in the Spurs defence and getting success.

Jacob Ramsey 7

Has caused Spurs some problems and thought he'd played in Willock for the opener.

Joe Willock 8

Unlucky not to score after a harsh offside call. Nice cross to set up Thiaw.

Harvey Barnes 7

Offering Newcastle an outlet.

Anthony Elanga 8

The dangerman for Newcastle and has probed from the get go.

Anthony Gordon 6

I'm not sure he's done enough as the main striker. Has not threatened enough.

Ruled out

Offside. Goal ruled out. We are talking fractions, absolute fractions.

This is ridiculous, mind. Willock is leaning slightly ahead of Van de Ven when he latches on to a great pass from Ramsey. He turns inside the defender and bends the ball into the far corner but VAR rules his head is offside.

So unlucky. Newcastle have deserved to lead after a great first-half performance.

Frontmen quiet

It's been a quiet night so far for Gordon and Barnes. The majority of Newcastle's attacks have come down the right through Elanga. Barnes is the one they will be looking for to make the breakthrough, he's the best finisher at the club but bar the backheel he's not had a sniff.

Gordon has been on the peripherary, it doesn't feel like his game.

Nick Pope the spectator

The Toon goalkeeper has not had a great deal to do so far. He will be as frustrated as the backroom staff after Newcastle have done everything right up until the final third.

Injury break

You're not missing anything. Wilson Odobert has been down for a few minutes getting treatment. He can't continue, with Spurs picking up another injury to add to their lengthy list. Mathys Tel comes on to replace him with 34 minutes on the clock.

That's the corner count. Unfortunately Newcastle haven't come close to scoring, really, from any of them.

The Magpies' delivery tonight hasn't been the best. Guimaraes, Trippier and Elanga have all tried their hand.

No one on the end of crosses

The strange thing about this is that while the team is set up to play on the counter, using Gordon's pace in behind, they are actually dominating possession and getting loads of crossing opportunities - but don't have a central striker in the box to get on the end of them.

Tailor made in many ways for Wissa...

Fast start but issue remains

It's been a really bright, fast start by Newcastle. Eddie Howe called for it in his pre-match interview and he's got it.

But the old failing remains. Not taking chances. There hasn't been anything hugely clear-cut but Ramsey has just had a very presentable opportunity only to miskick.

Newcastle have racked the corners up. Six already inside 18 minutes. They need to score when they're on top, though.

Barnes flick

Elanga down the right again, a low cross and Harvey Barnes backheels towards goal but it's easy for the keeper.

Elanga has started really brightly here, it must be said. He looks a threat and has delivered two or three good balls into the box.

SO CLOSE

Great move by Newcastle ends with Willock on the edge of the box in space and he drags it inches wide of the far post. So close but he could have hit the target.

Side netting

Xavi Simons hits the side netting after a break from Conor Gallagher. Spurs have started to look a threat. Wilson Odobert skinned Dan Burn a couple of minutes earlier.

Newcastle have a real lack of pace at the back, especially in the full-back areas. Feels like it could be a real problem if the game gets stretched.

Early pressure

Another great ball in from Elanga but fantastic defending by Dominic Solanke, back in his own box, prevents Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman from getting on the end of it.

Positive first couple of minutes for the Magpies though.

The January window is in full swing but it has been a quiet start to business for Newcastle United - here's why

Newcastle United will have Tottenham Hotspur for competition if they go back to Wolves to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen this month.

As I reported on Sunday morning, Newcastle sent head of recruitment Steve Nickson to see Wolves beat West Ham 3-0 at the weekend, with Strand Larsen one of the players United are keeping check on this month. Another was youngster Mateus Mane.

The word coming out of Newcastle after the first week of the January window is that there is money available to spend if Eddie Howe sees fit to bolster his squad. Towards the end of December brief discussions took place on the possibility of signing some defensive cover.

But the return of both Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, and Sven Botman has calmed the nerves defensively, not to mention Lewis Miley being a revelation at right-back. Howe has described the winter trading period as 'opportunistic' behind the scenes and he has form for return to ex-targets.

Newcastle admired Larsen enough last summer to place a £55m bid for the Norwegian international and he was keen on the move to the North East. Keeping Strand Larsen, Yoane Wissa, and Nick Woltemade happy would be a tough job, but the DR Congo international's absence in the first half of the season underlined how thin on the ground Newcastle actually are on senior forwards.

And that won't be lost on Howe, who has told me before that he wants at least two stars challenging for every position. Howe suggested in his Press conference today that a constant assessment will take place of the squad in January and business could come later.

He said: "Our injury situation will dictate what happens in the market. I know the work is going on behind the scenes to prepare us for that. If we need to move, we can move, but if not, we can keep our powder dry for the summer because with the PSR world, everything we do now will impact us down the line. I think we're in this holding brief at the moment, where we're waiting to see what direction we take."

Another returning face at the training ground this week has been midfielder Joe White. The 23-year-old featured briefly in pre-season before heading out on loan to Leyton Orient.

However, not for the first time in recent years, Newcastle suffered a bad call sending him to Orient, where he has been afforded just six appearances. Ruthless Toon chiefs cancelled White's brief spell at Brisbane Road and he is back at the training ground. White, however, is expected to be sent out on another loan spell for the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, another factor that will impact United's business this window will be whether Fabian Schar pens an extension to his current deal. He was due to leave at the end of the season at the end of his contract, but even at 34, Howe sees him as a key man on Tyneside. Howe told me at the media centre earlier today that it is "a possibility" he signs a new contract.

The Newcastle boss added: "I think he's been outstanding. What a signing for the football club and great to see him still going and playing so well."

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The striker scored his second Premier League goal for the Reds at Tottenham before injury struck

Alexander Isak could be set to miss the huge showdown between Liverpool and his former club Newcastle United in January, after being forced off in their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening.

The Swede scored only his second Premier League goal for Arne Slot's side since his acrimoneous £130m transfer in the summer, after coming off the bench at half-time against a Spurs side who had already had Xavi Simons sent off.

Isak broke the deadline on 56 minutes after a pass from Florian Wirtz to take his tally to three for Liverpool in all competitions.

However, his joy did not last long, with the striker hobblig off soon afterwards, casting doubt over his participation in coming games.

Newcastle go to Anfield on January 31, looking for some revenge following the cruel 3-2 St James' Park defeat to Slot's side in August, and much of the focus in the build-up will no doubt be on Isak's form and fitness.

Slot was unable to offer any definitive timescale for his return, but admitted it did not look good at this stage.

"I don't have any news," Slot explained on Saturday night.

"But if a player doesn't even try to come back, that is usually not a good thing but I cannot say anything more than that. That is just gut feeling and nothing medical.

"The goal is what we would like to see happening a lot. A good finish, a good pass, but let's not be too negative yet. We don't know yet. Let's hope he is back with us soon.

"With Alex and Conor Bradley we have to wait. You could see our bench as well, but this is not the first time in the last few weeks and we're picking up points. That's the main thing."

Spurs also had Cristian Romero sent off late in the game as they suffered a 2-1 home defeat, with Liverpool now showing more consistent form.

Slot added: "Of course we're happy with that but when we started the season, it wasn't as if I was thrilled and completely happy when we were top-four.

"We're always aiming for the best possible and after the very good start we had, we were disappointed with the run of results we had afterwards, but we are now on equal points for top-four.

"I think it has never been as bad as people said, but it's also true that we are definitely not perfect yet. We knew this and when we made so many changes in the summer, that it would take time."

Tottenham are seven points off Liverpool and will be without Xavi Simons for three matches after his first-half red card.

Captain Cristian Romero will also sit out the trip to Crystal Palace on December 28 following his sending-off, but Frank vented his frustration at Xavi's punishment after his tackle on Virgil van Dijk.

"Yeah, that's of course disappointing," Frank reflected. "If it was intentional or a very stupid tackle, which I don't think it is, then it's one thing.

"So, I just think it's too harsh a tackle like that can be three games.

"One game? OK, that's one thing, but three games? Of course, is too much."

Xavi added: "Mistakes happen. Virg is my captain, I would never intentionally hurt him or anyone. To my Spurs team-mates, my manager and the fans, I take responsibility. I'm really sorry."

Back in 2022, Newcastle's defensive rearguard were captured on camera celebrating a shut out against Everton - now Eddie Howe wants that spirit back

Eddie Howe has called for Newcastle United to get back to being the 'band of brothers' that shocked the Premier League and charged into the Champions League three seasons ago.

Back then Howe transformed the Magpies from a team living in fear of relegation to one challenging at the business end of the table. As his side go in against struggling Burnley, and on the back of an injury-time mistake in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in which a mistake allowed Cristan Romero to shin home a late strike, Howe wants the defensive doggedness to return.

The Toon boss pointed back to a photograph, which is still displayed at the training ground, of Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar all celebrating a clean sheet. The image was also used as a banner at the Gallowgate End by fans.

Howe told Chronicle Live said: "The defensive mentality has to be there. Not just for the back four and the keeper, but the whole team have to enjoy defending collectively.

"Which I think that year in particular, I think we did have a brilliant attitude to our defending as a whole. The change this year is the amount of games we have in our current schedule.

"The team will be chopping and changing, it has to. I think then you lose the consistency of selection. That year I think you could name the back four and the goalkeeper and build that consistency and performance through that, there were minimal changes. They built a formidable reputation as a back four or five.

"It is a different season now. But whoever plays we want them to adopt the mindset that nobody passes."

Newcastle stars looked down in the dumps after conceding a late equaliser to Spurs and they still sit slumped in the bottom half of the table. But Howe said the days of players heading to the pub for a festive knees up and to get away from the rigours of pressure are over.

Nevertheless, he wants his squad to enjoy their work too and ahead of a crunch period, that includes a clash with Sunderland in the can't lose Wear-Tyne derby, Howe said: "It is a tough one. You want the players to get on off the pitch of course.

"You want them to have great relationships. Off the field you don't want to look at yourself as just team-mates, you have to be closer than that.

"You are sharing experiences with players, and it is so unique. Not many people get to experience such a magical thing. If you are going to have that special time together, it will make it more enjoyable.

"But I think the days of that type of socialising are in the past because we are playing every three days, if we mix that in (socialising) I don't think you'd see the type of performances we want. Let's keep it being brothers rather than drinking partners."

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The former AC Milan star did not complete the clash with Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park

Newcastle United are sweating on the fitness of Sandro Tonali for the clash against Burnley this weekend.

The Italian hobbled off at half-time in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in midweek and was replaced at half-time by Bruno Guimaraes. Tonali complained of pain after the match and asked for a scan, prompting further concerns behind the scenes but Howe has not shut the door on him facing the Clarets.

Howe has also offered updates on Sven Botman, who has a back injury, and Yoane Wissa who is in contention for his debut following a long-term knee injury.

Howe, speaking at his Press conference ahead of the clash with Burnley at St James' Park, said on Tonali: "He's had a scan, we don't think it's too bad. We'll give him every chance to declare himself fit if possible.

"It was a knock very similar to what Joelinton suffered. Dead leg type feeling. We will see how he is today and give him every chance to be fit.

"Sven has had an injection in his back, I haven't actually seen him personally since the Tottenham game.

"I think he has had an injection, we hope that will bring about his return quite quickly. Now there's a time period for his injection to work which I think is about a week, then we will see how he is."

Wissa has now played his part in two 11 vs 11 games behind the scenes and Howe will assess his suitability for the clash with Burnley. The DR Congo star has yet to feature for the Magpies but could be on the bench on Saturday.

He said: "He's getting closer. We did an 11 v 11 game, sort of for him on Wednesday. That was good, more minutes for him. Round about half an hour, and he did well.

"We will see how he is today.

"He's looked good and come through everything. I always say in these situations that we have more training today and we have to make a decision on whether he is ready to not just be fit, but be fit to make a difference and perform to his highest levels."

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