5 iconic derby moments as Sunderland prepare for Newcastle United clash
There have been some moments that have gone down in Wearside folklore when Sunderland have met arch rivals Newcastle United.
Sunderland and Newcastle United will go head-to-head once again this weekend as more players look to write their names into Wear and Tyne folklore.
The Black Cats have had the upper hand in the recent history of one of English football’s longest standing rivalries - and we have picked out five iconic moments that took place at the Stadium of Light and St James Park as Black Cats favourites solidified their place into the heart of supporters.
1. Marco and Gatesy’s play-off glory
A goalless draw in the first leg at Roker Park sent this play-off semi-final into a nerve-shredding second leg on Tyneside. Sunderland held their nerve as Eric Gates and Marco Gabbiadini got the goals to set up a Wembley date with Swindon Town.
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2. Super Kev in the rain
Sunderland marked their return to the Premier League on a stormy night on Tyneside as dynamic duo Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn got the goals in a 2-1 win as Magpies boss Ruud Gullit saw his managerial reign come to a close.
3. Shearer vs Sorensen
A last-minute penalty handed Newcastle a chance to avoid a second successive St James Park defeat against Sunderland - but Thomas Sorensen wrote his name into Wearside folklore when he kept out a spot-kick from Geordie legend Alan Shearer to give his side a 2-1 win on Tyneside.
4. Richardson’s rocket
Sunderland had not beaten Newcastle at home since April 1980 when the old rivals prepared to go head-to-head at the Stadium of Light in October 2008. They could not be separated as Magpies striker Shola Ameobi cancelled out a Djibril Cisse opener until Kieran Richardson’s stunning free-kick handed a historic win to the Black Cats.
5. Mags misfortune
The derby made a long-awaited return in bizarre fashion earlier this season as Sunderland and Newcastle met in the Premier League for the first time in nine years. What had already been a memorable return to the top flight continued for the Black Cats as Magpies record signing Nick Woltemade scored an own goal to hand all three points to Regis Le Bris’ side at a raucous Stadium of Light.
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