Dan Neil was one of Sunderland's standout derby performers

Dan Neil was among the standout performers for the Wearsiders, with the Academy of Light graduate showing he's got what it takes to rub shoulders with the Premier League's elite.

WhoScored rated Neil the highest of any Sunderland player on the day with a rating of 6.5, Alex Pritchard coming in second with a rating of 6.4. That should come as no surprise with the Black Cats playmaker making up 0.18 of Sunderland's 0.22 expected goals against the Magpies.

It was far from an outstanding performance against their arch rivals, but there were positives to take from the game. Neil has been a key part of Sunderland's rebuilding process in years gone by and will be at the heart of any promotion push to the top flight this season.

He's taken his performances up another gear since the beginning of December and is in a real rich vein of form. The one thing he could do with adding to his game, is goals and assists in the final third.

If he's able to add that to his game, the Wearsiders will have a battle on their hands to fend off potential suitors, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Sporting Lisbon all said to be keen on his signature.

Nonetheless, We Are Sunderland has taken a closer look at his display against Newcastle in the FA Cup to see why those calibre of clubs are taking note.

Pass completion

It was by in large an afternoon to forget for Michael Beale and his side, who cited their sloppiness in possession as a concern. Neil recorded a pass completion rate of 85 per cent, having completed 29 of the 35 passes he made against the Magpies. Including two key passes which lead to goal scoring opportunities for Sunderland, one of which saw Alex Pritchard hit the crossbar.

Neil may have been slightly sloppier in possession than his midfield team-mates, Jobe Bellingham boasting a 100 per cent pass completion from 21 passes made, while Pierre Ekwah completed 89 per cent of his passes, 33 from 37 to a red a white shirt.

However, upon closer inspection, we see how Neil had more of an impact on the game in the final third.

How Sunderland players compared in terms of passing statistics against Newcastle United. (Image: Wyscout)Both Neil and Alex Pritchard come out on top in terms of accuracy for progressive passes into the final third. Something Sunderland didn't do enough of against the Magpies.

The one time the duo did link up in the Magpies' half, it almost resulted in a goal. Pritchard tried his luck from 30-yards out, having scored against Preston North End from a similar position the week prior.

We see from the chart below, that Neil was the most advanced of Sunderland's midfield trio, but their forward line was forced very deep as a result of Newcastle's press. 

Dan Neil (No.24) was the furthest forward of Sunderland's midfield against Newcastle United. (Image: Wyscout)

Physicality and cool head under pressure

What was most impressive about Neil against Newcastle United, he didn't look overawed by the physicality of the Magpies. He won 100 per cent of his aerial duels and won four fouls by putting his body in a good area to shield the ball.

The Wearsiders have shown their naivety at times this season and lacked the knowhow to win free-kicks in dangerous areas and take the sting out of the game. Neil won the most free-kicks of any Sunderland player against the Magpies. He won four out of six of his defensive duels and seven out of 13 of his offensive duels.

Just four minutes into the game, Neil showed the physical side of his game, winning possession back in a dangerous area for the Black Cats.

Dan Neil reacts quickest to a loose ball. (Image: Wyscout)

Neil uses his strength to hold off the press of Miguel Almiron, Newcastle's best player on the day for winning the ball back for his side, then does the same under pressure from Bruno Guimaraes.

Dan Neil holds off Miggy Almiron. (Image: Wyscout)

His initial strength allows him to create three-yards worth of space and suck in Newcastle United's press to the right-hand side of the pitch. Neil shows good composure to relax on the ball and not rush to play, something the hosts did on too many occasions in the first-half.

Neil shows composure to play through Newcastle's press and picks out Aji Alese in space out on the left. (Image: Wyscout)Sunderland may not have made the most of their opportunity early doors, but his calmness in tight areas was a particular silver lining for the Mackems.

Neil completed the most dribbles of any Sunderland player, completing four out of five attempted.

Neil was on par with Newcastle's best player, Bruno Guimaraes who also completed four dribbles, but with a 100 per cent completion rate. The Black Cats midfielder got his side out of tight spots on a number of occasions, creating space for team-mates by beating Newcastle's press.

The major disappointment for Sunderland will have been their inability to hit the Magpies on the transition when the opportunity presented itself.

On this occasion below, Neil receives the ball under pressure from Bruno Guimaraes, but like any good player does, checks his shoulder before it reaches his feet, knowing he has time and isn't being pressed from Alexander Isak.

Dan Neil receives the ball with Bruno Guimaraes about to press. (Image: Wyscout)Neil feints to one side to appear to play the ball out to Aji Alese on the left-hand side, luring Almiron into a press, but knows he has space in between Guimaraes and Joelinton to check back onto his right.

The ball does also appear to get stuck under Neil's feet which may have forced him to check back inside, with Guimaraes over committing. The Sunderland midfielder shows great footwork to dance past Joelinton.

Dan Neil gets out of a trick spot. (Image: Wyscout)Unfortunately for Sunderland, Newcastle are already well set with Anthony Gordon defending the run of Trai Hume. Neil is able to advance into the space after getting the better of Joelinton.

Neil comes away with the ball in a promising area, (Image: Wyscout)Sunderland have plenty of forward runners, with Nazariy Rusyn peeling off into the space behind Gordon, but Neil tries to play the ball into Pritchard in a central area and Newcastle are able to clear, outnumbering the hosts in that area of the pitch.

Somewhat of a poor decision from Neil, but in fairness his options ahead of him aren't great given the Magpies' defensive line.

Defensive duels

For all of Neil's impressive work going forward, he was also a standout performer in terms of winning the ball back for his side. There's been plenty of chat in regard to Sunderland signing a more natural defensive midfielder, but the 22-year-old still boasts impressive numbers.

Dan Neil leads the way for successful ground duels in Sunderland's last five matches. (Image: Wyscout)Trai Hume recorded the highest percentage of ground duels won against Newcastle United, but Dan Neil was in second place with a credible 11 won from 19 attempted.

Neil boasts an average of 15.2 won per-game, with a 56 per cent succession rate in his last five games against the likes of Preston, Rotherham United and Hull City.

We may not have seen the more offensive side to Neil's game against the Magpies, but that was down to the impressive defensive set-up from Eddie Howe's side.

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Unable to register in terms of xG, goals or assists, Neil still has four goals to his name in the Championship and three assists in the first-half of the campaign.

He certainly won't be coming up against players of the quality of Guimaraes and Joelinton in the weeks to come, but if he can maintain and add to the stats showcased against the Magpies, he's set for a strong finish to the season.

If the academy graduate can add goals and assists to his game, there's no reason he can't become an established Premier League football - hopefully with Sunderland.