Newcastle v Sunderland: How the Black Cats have dominated the past six Tyne-Wear derbies

The Tyne-Wear derby is one of the most hotly anticipated and passionately contested fixtures of the Premier League season, but in recent years, it has become one-sided.

Sunderland have won all of their past six meetings with Newcastle and travel to St James' Park on Sunday hoping to complete a magnificent seven.

Here, we look back on how Sunderland have dominated the derby…

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April 14, 2013: Newcastle 0-3 Sunderland

One beautifully struck shot, one crazed Paolo Di Canio, one knee slide and one pair of expensive Italian trousers ruined. The start of Sunderland's derby hot streak was unforgettable.

The visitors hadn't won at St James' Park for 13 years, but in only his second game in charge, Di Canio brought an emphatic end to that drought by masterminding a thumping Sunderland win.

A first-half goal from Stephane Sessegnon had put them in control but it wasn't until Adam Johnson picked out the far corner 16 minutes from time that the already animated Di Canio really let loose.

Unable to contain his emotions, Di Canio sprinted off towards his celebrating players, knee-slid his way down the Milburn Stand touchline and then spent several seconds on the ground pumping his fists to the Gods.

He was equally delirious when David Vaughan added a third eight minutes later, but victory was secure by then and an iconic Premier League image had already been captured.

October 27, 2013: Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle

Sadly for Di Canio, and picture editors throughout the land, that win was as good as it got as Sunderland manager and by the time they next faced Newcastle, six months later, he had been sacked and replaced by Gus Poyet.

Like Di Canio, Poyet faced Newcastle in only his second game in charge and although there was no repeat of the rout, the outcome was the same.

The sides were level at 1-1 going into the final 10 minutes, following an opener from Steven Fletcher and an equaliser from Mathieu Debuchy, but then the hosts snatched the win and, once again, it was in fine style.

Another great shot and another great knee slide, only this time it was Fabio Borini providing both.

February 1, 2014: Newcastle 0-3 Sunderland

Ten months on from Di Canio's delirium, Sunderland returned to St James' and dished out another 3-0 drubbing to seal their third derby win in a row.

Borini and Johnson were back on the scoresheet to give the visitors a 2-0 half-time lead, and Jack Colback then lashed home a third 10 minutes from time.

Victory handed Sunderland their first season double over Newcastle since the 1966-67 campaign.

December 21, 2014: Newcastle 0-1 Sunderland

New season, same outcome. Although only just.

This one had looked destined to end in a 0-0 draw until Sunderland broke at speed in the 90th minute.

Johnson spread the ball wide to Steven Fletcher, who crossed to the back post to Will Buckley, who laid it back for Johnson to take a touch and fire home the winner.

Over on the touchline, Poyet pulled a Di Canio-esque face but opted against a sprint down the touchline.

April 5, 2015: Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle

Sadly for Sunderland and Poyet, their form in the Tyne-Wear derby wasn't replicated against other teams in the Premier League and, with relegation a threat, the Uruguayan was sacked in March 2015.

In came veteran Dutch manager Dick Advocaat, and like his two predecessors, he too faced Newcastle in only his second game in charge.

There was also a new boss in the opposite dugout in John Carver, who stepped up to the top job when Alan Pardew left for Crystal Palace.

But for all the change off the pitch, there wasn't a great deal on it, as Sunderland won their fifth derby in a row courtesy of an outstanding strike from Jermain Defoe in first-half injury time.

It also completed their second successive double over Newcastle.

October 25, 2015: Sunderland 3-0 Newcastle

It was all change in the dugouts yet again for the latest Tyne-Wear derby earlier this season, with Sam Allardyce replacing Advocaat at Sunderland and Steve McClaren taking over from Carver at Newcastle.

Incredibly, just like Di Canio, Poyet and Advocaat before him, Allardyce faced Newcastle in just his second game in charge. And just like his predecessors, he too oversaw a win.

That didn't look likely after Newcastle had dominated the first 45 minutes, but then in first-half injury time, Fabricio Coloccini was sent off, Johnson scored the resulting penalty and second-half goals from Billy Jones and Fletcher sealed a sixth successive derby win.

March 20, 2016: Newcastle v Sunderland

Sunday's derby is arguably more important than any of the previous six given that both teams are fighting relegation.

Newcastle have home advantage - or disadvantage, as it has proved to be in recent years - and are also in poorer form, having lost seven of their past 10 matches.

However, they have new manager in Rafael Benitez, and if that wasn't encouraging enough, the Tyne-Wear derby is his second game in charge. 

Who will win Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby? Let us know your thoughts by posting a comment below, or for app users, tweet @SkyFootball.