Sunderland may have relinquished their crown as kings of the Wear-Tyne Derby and there's plenty of lessons to take away from the clash between the two arch rivals.

In the eight years without a meeting of these two sides, English football has lost one of it's greatest games.

Workplaces across the North East have been void of the banter between both sets of supporters, families which are divided with black and white on one side, red and white on the other, unable to jibe at one another based on their allegiances and the outcome of derby meetings.

Relegations, takeovers, silverware, promotions and European conquests. There's been plenty of change at both Sunderland and Newcastle United in the eight years since the sides last met.

Which is why the build-up to this weekend's game only emphasised the beauty of the fixture and why Sunderland must strive to win promotion to the Premier League to reinstate their crown.

Of course, there'll be supporters in both camps who would happily never face the 'dark side' again - with the rivalry stretching back decades.

That's something Sunderland's new owners misjudged in the build-up to the game, handing over a 6,000 allocation to Newcastle United - a financial reward in doing so - but angering loyal fans who had to be moved for the fixture. 

Add in the Black Cats bar debacle, with decorations in Newcastle's colours going up in the Stadium of Light - a huge error of judgement from the red and white hierarchy. Kyril Louis-Dreyfus released a statement apologising to fans for the error in the midst of the furore, and he now faces a battle to get supporters back on side.

A harsh lesson learnt.

The gravity of that fallout will depend on how the second-half of the season finishes and that isn't lost on boss Michael Beale, who called for unity in order to finish the campaign on a strong footing.

Supporters are right to ask questions of the club for the handling of the build-up to the derby, and if anything, it's shown there needs to be an improvement in communication from the current ownership with the red and white fanbase.

They after all, have been here before and will be here long after owners, players and staff move on. The love for the club something they'll take to the grave, along with the hatred of their arch rivals.

October 2015 was the last meeting between the two sides at the Stadium of Light, delivering a sixth straight win for Sunderland. A team that had a knack of saving its best for the old foe up the road. 

Beale admitted this weekend was an "eye opener" for the young Black Cats on the pitch, a clear sign of not only the gulf in finances of both clubs, but quality on the field.

It was game where Sunderland struggled to rise to the occasion, Dan Neil the shining star of a plethora of talent that still looks destined for the top level, despite the humbling result.

"You never know whether you’re going to play in one of these games," Neil told We Are Sunderland in the build-up to the game. "Obviously being a fan growing up it’s a game you always dream of playing in."

Therein lies the aim for this group of players. Promotion back to the promised land and making these types of games, regular occasions.

For many of the younger generation of Sunderland supporters, the 3-0 defeat was their first taste of derby disappointment and unlike years gone bye, there's no opportunity to put that right later in the season.

The Wearsiders are not far off being a top team in the Championship, but the defeat to Eddie Howe's side also serves as a timely reminder of the gap between the two divisions, both on and off the field.

Sunderland don't have the finances to spend their way to promotion - after all - the overspending in the top flight played a huge part in their not so distant demise.

Eight of the Black Cats starting XI were aged 24 or under, with those outfield players on the bench all under the age of 22. Youngster Chris Rigg, who was named on the bench, would have been just eight years old the last time these two sides met.

The grin on his face as he made his way off the team coach and up the stairs to the Stadium of Light, another clear sign of what this fixture means to those in the area.

We Are Sunderland: Sunderland youngster Chris Rigg ahead of the Wear-Tyne Derby.Sunderland youngster Chris Rigg ahead of the Wear-Tyne Derby. (Image: Ian Horrocks)There'll be a tinge of disappointment that he wasn't given a chance to showcase his ability, but his best years are ahead of him. The experience alone will stand him in good stead.

As it will for many of Sunderland's players. They've now had a taste of a high profile fixture and it should serve as a dangling carrot for the club.

The hierarchy know there's work to be done, not only behind the scenes, but with supporters.

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The relationship between the two is a far cry away from the harmonious fanbase that reached the Championship play-off semi-final last season.

Beale could do his new employers a huge service in the upcoming fixtures with wins against Ipswich and Hull City.

The Premier League remains a possible destination for Sunderland at the end of this campaign, but competing on a level playing field with Newcastle United remains an improbable task - for now at least.