We look back at some of the best moments to have been played out in past Tyne-Wear derbies.
Second Division play-offs, 1990
With both teams chasing promotion from the Second Division throughout the 1989/90 season, the two sides met in the play-off semi-finals, as they fought out a tie dubbed as the "biggest Tyne-Wear derby in history". The first leg was a fiery affair, with Newcastle picking up five yellow cards in the opening 45 minutes alone. It was the visitors however who were reduced to 10 men, as Paul Hardyman was dismissed for lashing out at goalkeeper John Burridge, who had saved his penalty to deny the hosts a last-minute winner. The game at Roker Park ended in a 0-0 draw, seemingly giving Newcastle the advantage in the return leg. This didn't prove to be the case though as Sunderland took the lead through Eric Gates' first-half strike. Gates then turned provider late on as he crossed for Marco Gabbiadini to double the score. Sunderland held on to book a place at Wembley and, although they were eventually beaten in the final by Swindon, they ultimately found themselves promoted to the top-flight as a result of their opponents' financial issues.
Shearer's last game, Sunderland 1-4 Newcastle, 2006
In what proved to be his last game in a black and white shirt, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer bowed out of football by netting a penalty in an unforgettable win over their fiercest rivals. Glenn Roeder's side were chasing a UEFA Cup spot, but it was bottom of the league Sunderland who took the lead through Arsenal loanee Justin Hoyte's first-half opener. Michael Chopra came off the bench in an attempt to give Newcastle more firepower in the second half and, within just 15 seconds of his introduction, he drew things level from close range. Charles N'Zogbia then won a penalty just a minute later and Shearer slammed home in trademark fashion. N'Zogbia then added Newcastle's third but Shearer was forced to limp off shortly after, bringing his career to a premature end with his intentions set on retirement at the end of the season. Spanish striker Albert Luque replaced Shearer and he sealed the three points much to the delight of the travelling fans by making it 4-1 after a mix-up in defence. Although it wasn't the ending he had planned, it was a fitting result for Alan Shearer's final game as he claimed his 206th and final Newcastle goal in an impressive win.
Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle, 2008
Having not won a Tyne-Wear derby in almost eight years, and not in front of their home fans for 28 years, the pressure was building on Sunderland to record a long overdue victory against their rivals when they met at the Stadium of Light in 2008. The hosts duly obliged and they went in front when Djibril Cisse guided in Steed Malbranque's skewed effort. Newcastle were struggling in the league and Sunderland appeared to be comfortable in front until Shola Ameobi, who seems to thrive on these derbies, headed home a pinpoint cross from Geremi. The game looked set for a draw but Kieran Richardson made sure that Sunderland would take all three points with a stunning free-kick 15 minutes from time to clinch their last derby win.
Kevin Nolan hat-trick, Newcastle 5-1 Sunderland, 2010
On a memorable day for Newcastle fans, Sunderland suffered a Halloween nightmare as they were thrashed 5-1 at St James' Park. The Magpies were inspired by captain Kevin Nolan who bagged a hat-trick for his newly-promoted side. Nolan demonstrated his eye for goal when he opened the scoring with a deft flick whilst having his back to goal. He then added his second after Andy Carroll's effort fell into his path, before a Shola Ameobi penalty deep into first-half stoppage-time made it 3-0 at the break. Newcastle were cruising and Ameobi made it four shortly after Titus Bramble had been shown red for a foul on Carroll. Nolan then sealed the rout and his hat-trick, in the 75th minute when a corner found its way to him for a simple tap-in. Darren Bent added a consolation goal for the visitors late on, but it couldn't spoil Newcastle's celebrations who leapfrogged their rivals up to seventh in the league, easing the reported pressure on manager Chris Hughton.
Asamoah Gyan's last-minute equaliser, Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle, 2011
Having suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat in the previous fixture, Sunderland were determined to inflict revenge on their local rivals. In the game at St James' Park, Nolan had bagged a hat-trick and, when he opened the scoring with a back-heel in this match, he cut an unpopular figure amongst the Sunderland fans. The home side found chances few and far between and, with time against them, it seemed increasingly likely that Newcastle would secure back-to-back derby wins. Sunderland piled on the pressure and in the fourth of five minutes of injury-time, they found an equaliser through Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan after Phil Bardsley's shot was parried to him by Steve Harper, sparking pandemonium in the stands as the Black Cats kept their European push on track.
Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland, 2000
Sunderland's last victory at St James' Park must seem like an eternity ago for fans of the Black Cats, with the 2-1 win in November 2000 being their most recent away victory over their local rivals. Gary Speed had given the hosts the lead after just four minutes but, just as they had done in the previous year's fixture, Sunderland staged a second-half comeback. Don Hutchison equalised before Niall Quinn headed the visitors into the lead. However, the drama wasn't over and, after Quinn's clumsy foul on Rob Lee inside the area, Newcastle were handed a lifeline. The usually reliable Shearer stepped up but his penalty was well saved by Thomas Sorensen, much to the relief of Quinn whose goal proved to be the winner.
Peter Beardsley hat-trick, Newcastle 3-1 Sunderland, 1985
When Newcastle hosted Sunderland on New Year's Day 1985, it was the first meeting between the two sides for almost five years, making it one of the most anticipated Tyne-Wear derbies of all time. Newcastle had suffered a 1-0 defeat the last time the two sides met and they managed to reclaim the bragging rights with a comfortable 3-1 win thanks to a hat-trick from Peter Beardsley. The win sparked a five-game unbeaten run for Newcastle in fixtures against Sunderland and wrote Beardsley's name into Toon Army folklore.
Ruud Gullit's final game, Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland, 1999
Ruud Gullit's Newcastle had endured a torrid start to their 1999/2000 Premier League campaign and, having failed to win any their first four games, the pressure was building on the Dutchman in time for the visit of newly-promoted Sunderland. Talismanic striker Alan Shearer was sent off in their opening game of the season but he returned from suspension in time for the first Tyne-Wear derby in over two years. Gullit chose to leave him on the bench though and instead opted for 20-year old Paul Robinson to lead the line alongside Silvio Maric. The gamble looked to be paying off when the youngster teed up Keiron Dyer to put Newcastle into a first-half lead. Niall Quinn then grabbed a deserved equaliser for the visitors and Shearer was brought on to the relief of the home crowd as they looked to restore their lead. Shearer's first contribution was to be involved in a scuffle with Gavin McCann after a heavy tackle from the midfielder, but play was allowed to continue and Sunderland sparked an attack which ended with Kevin Phillips scoring what proved to be the winner. The result condemned Newcastle to joint bottom of the league and Gullit resigned from his post three days later after just a year in charge.
Sunderland 1-2 Newcastle, 1996
Prior to the first fixture between Sunderland and Newcastle in the Premier League, the Magpies had been victorious in the last three meetings, so a fourth straight win would really assert their dominance over their bitter rivals. Despite having the home advantage, Sunderland were considered the underdogs having only just being promoted, but they took the lead through a first-half Martin Scott penalty. Beardsley, the man who scored a hat-trick in a Tyne-Wear over ten years before this game, grabbed an equaliser before Les Ferdinand made it 2-1.
Kevin Phillips' double, Sunderland 2-2 Newcastle, 2000
In the first Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland staged a remarkable comeback to rescue a 2-2 draw thanks to a Kevin Phillips brace. Newcastle found themselves with a two-goal lead after 22 minutes thanks to goals from Didier Domi and Portuguese defender Helder but, roared on by an expectant crowd, the hosts hit back immediately via Phillips. The game remained at 2-1 for the next hour thanks to some resilient Newcastle defending, but with less than ten minutes to go, Phillips beat the offside trap to grab an equaliser and his second, making it a memorable first derby at their new home.
