Top 5: Tyne-Wear Derbies

In the build up to the eagerly anticipated derby next weekend between Newcastle and their famously despised rivals Sunderland, we’re running a string of articles looking at statistics and re-living classic moments from the past. Here, we look at five memorable clashes from the current Millennium.

5– Newcastle 1-1 Sunderland (St James’ Park, 2012)

The latest meeting summed up everything you need to know about this fixture, particularly the tradition and the passion behind it. 8 yellow cards, two of the red variety (to Sunderland’s Sessegnon and Cattermole) plus a missed penalty and an injury time equalizer made for some serious entertainment in the North East.

Newcastle were indebted to their regular derby hero Shola Ameobi for his late intervention, but previously it had seemed that it wouldn’t be their day as Demba Ba saw a penalty well saved by Sunderland keeper Mignolet. If all of this wasn’t enough, a touchline spat between Pardew and Martin O’Neil capped of the day fittingly. Classic Tyne and Wear derby drama.

4– Sunderland 0-1 Newcastle (Stadium of Light, 2011)

The score line and match itself may not be too memorable, but the match’s significance meant it must rank near the top in derby moments for Newcastle fans. This win maintained their modern dominance in the fixture, set the wheels in motion for Newcastle’s fantastic season under new boss Alan Pardew, and also was the beginning of the fall of Steve Bruce which ended with him getting the sack. Ryan Taylor’s fine free kick won it, and Phil Bardsley’s late red card merely rubbed more salt into already wounded wounds.

3– Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland (St James’ Park, 2000)

It might not be a happy memory for Newcastle fans, but it certainly is a prominent one and that means it must find a way into any montage of famous derby clashes. Goals from Hutchinson and Quinn earned the visitors the win, but Alan Shearer’s late missed penalty made for even more drama. Thomas Sorensen brilliantly denied the striker in the 85^th minute from 12 yards, as Sunderland clung on.

2– Newcastle 3-2 Sunderland (St James’ Park, 2005)

This victory was particularly sweet for the Toon army, who were forced to take the lead three times and saw a spectacular winner come from Turkish international Emre. Emre’s direct free kick in the second half was be-fitting of a superb game, which saw Newcastle pegged back twice by their local rivals but always seem to be in control. It would have been especially welcome for then boss Souness, who didn’t last long in the job.

1– Newcastle 5-1 Sunderland (St James’ Park, 2010)

Where else to start? Kevin Nolan scored a hat-rick as the Magpies tore Sunderland to pieces in October 2010. Opting to start with Carroll and Ameobi upfront together, two 6 foot plus target men, Newcastle simply had too much power for a devastated Sunderland side, who even had ex-Newcastle man Titus Bramble sent off late on. By the time Darren Bent bagged an injury time consolation the humiliation was complete, and this was a result that will live long in the memory of both sets of fans, albeit for differing reasons.

Got any particular favourite memories from the past few Tyne and Wear derby games? Get in touch with the site through the comments section below.

By Harry Aitkenhead