Sunderland 4-0 Newcastle U21: Blacks Cats claim derby spoils in Checkatrade Trophy to stay on course for Wembley The Blacks Cats are just two games from Wembley final in Checkatrade Trophy Own goal by Kelland Watts put the home side on way to Wear-Tyne derby win Police were out in force as nearly 3,000 Newcastle fans made the short tripBy Craig Hope for MailOnline Published: 21:47 GMT, 8 January 2019 | Updated: 22:02 GMT, 8 January 2019 Viewcomments Sunderland boss Jack Ross said this Wear-Tyne derby was ‘no win’ for his club - but given they are now two games from Wembley it feels like a significant victory for their long-suffering supporters. There were 16,654 at the Stadium of Light for a Checkatrade Trophy fixture that will enter the hosts’ history books but will be readily discarded as an Under-21 outing by the visitors. That is why Ross had his reservations - win and they’ll say you have only beaten the kids, lose and it’s another embarrassing episode for the Netflix cameras. Charlie Wyke celebrates scoring Sunderland's second goal against Newcastle U21s And the documentary makers were here to record the latest chapter of a story they must surely hope ends in League One promotion and a Wembley final. After a nervy first half Sunderland’s experience told as an own goal by Kelland Watts was followed by Charlie Wyke’s header, Chris Maguire’s long-range strike and Benjamin Kimpioka’s late effort. But they did not have it all their own way against what was a weakened Newcastle side. Sunderland opened the scoring thanks to an own goal by Newcastle midfielder Kelland Watts Charlie Wyke (above), Chris Maguire and Benjamin Kimpioka also scored for Sunderland So concerned is Rafa Benitez about the fitness of his senior midfielders that they could not afford to risk youngster Sean Longstaff here, a player who has made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League. One of those first-team stars with injury problems is Jonjo Shelvey. He is currently in Barcelona receiving treatment along with defender Paul Dummett and they were trying to access coverage on the club’s TV station before kick-off. What they would have seen in the first half was a Newcastle side passing the ball with more composure than Benitez’s men have managed of late. Duncan Watmore of Sunderland holds the ball up during the Checkatrade trophy match The Magpies edged a goalless first half which was better remembered for the insults traded between fans, Newcastle’s ‘We saw you crying on Netflix’ matched by Sunderland’s ‘Six in a row’ in recognition of their recent derby dominance. Come the end they were crowing about a seventh win in 10 over their bitter rivals - try telling them this did not matter. Police were out in force in bid to stop any potential trouble at the Wear-Tyne derby Nearly 3,000 Newcastle fans made the short trip to the Stadium of Light to support the U21s Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility