Ditchburn pushing for permanent role at Newcastle United?

It was a successful afternoon at St James' Park on Sunday, as Newcastle United Women beat Sunderland 3-1 to make it three straight wins over the Mackems.

Even more significantly, it was a second win under the ‘caretaker’ reign of Coach Claire Ditchburn and their seventh point from nine under the ex-Durham Head Coach’s temporary tenure. Can that temporary tag be turned into a permanent position?

Perhaps, as Ditchburn has certainly done a good job of steadying the ship after it hit rocky waters following the surprise departure of long-term Manager Becky Langley. Ditchburn talked in her post-game press conference about just looking no further than the next game and continuing to progress.

That, she said, was the remit she was given and will continue to try to do as she also expressed her thanks and influence ex-United first team player Peter Ramage has had alongside her as they’ve worked together to ensure that Newcastle were not derailed following Langley leaving.

All that said, Ditchburn may well be addressing and giving the party-line but perhaps deep down inside she’s thinking and hoping for something different. Certainly, as an advert of her credentials, experience and ability she’s definitely laying down a marker.

A win at Ipswich was expected but a 4 – 1 score line was impressive. Then to pick up a point on the road at Durham in a 1 – 1 draw was also a very creditable result especially after losing twice last season to the long-term Championship/WSL2 side.

Ditchburn, a little cheekily, said she was disappointed not to have 9 from 9 after her three games in charge. But she does have a case. United without being dominant away at Durham were the better side and with a little bit more composure and luck in front of goal could have sneaked a deserved win.

That though was then and to come back to the present Ditchburn and her players gifted their adoring fans a perfect Derby Day at home. It was a win that lifted United into fourth place in the table only three points behind Bristol City and put a whole different complexion on their season to date.

They may now have found that magic formula they’ve been searching for since the 2025/26 season kicked off with so much expectation, hope and promise. In all Newcastle have now gone five games unbeaten in the League and have still only lost twice.

Both of those to the top two, Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic who they are now chasing hard after this latest victory. There’s a school of thought that of those two defeats only the Birmingham one was a game this season when Wor Lasses have deserved nothing from it.