Timing is everything in football and this match came at just the right time for Sunderland.

They are a team on the up. Gus Poyet's man-management skills have washed away the instability of the Paolo di Canio era, restoring his players' confidence and booking a place at Wembley in the process.

Newcastle look bereft of ideas. They have failed to score in five of their last six league games, their most creative player has left and their hopes of a Champions League spot, so high just six weeks ago, have all but evaporated.

Alan Pardew's team selection demonstrated the poverty of the resources at his disposal, a consequence of signing just two loan players in the previous 12 months.

"When you lose a player of Yohan Cabaye's class you want a replacement and I had to make do with what I had in the kitty," said a deflated Pardew.

But he refused to be drawn on where he thought the blame for that lay, saying simply: "I've got to find a game plan that works for us."

Sunderland boss Poyet described the win as his best moment as a manager and if one player exemplifies the confidence he has instilled in the side it's Adam Johnson, who was involved in the first two goals.

On 19 minutes he played Phil Bardsley into the area with a delightful flick that deceived Davide Santon and Sammy Ameobi. Bardsley was crudely brought down by Vurnon Anita and Fabio Borini tucked away the penalty.

Four minutes later Altidore unlocked the Sunderland defence with a neat backheel to Jack Colback.

He surged into the area and Tim Krul parried his shot into the path of Johnson, who tapped home for his sixth goal in four league games.

The third goal was a microcosm of the game. Ben Arfa was easily disposessed by Colback and Borini picked up the loose ball, burst forward and played in an unmarked Colback who fired into the roof of the net.