It’s been 16 years since Newcastle’s last home derby win, but the Magpies can still call upon some glorious memories whenever Sunderland come to the Toon. From Nolan’s terrific treble to the Lion of Gosforth excorsising a painful derby ghost, to two little attacking wizards each casting a spell, and from a Mackem Slayer to a chicken-dancing hat-trick hero – Here are the five best victories the Toon have had in front of the Geordie locals.
Newcastle United 5-1 Sunderland October 31, 2010
Newcastle’s last win at home against Sunderland was 16 years ago.
It was a Kevin Nolan treble that inspired the Magpies to victory. He scored inside 26 minutes with an improvised overhead kick and didn’t stop there with a second eight minutes later. Shola Ameobi joined the scoresheet as he grabbed a brace.
Nolan completed his treble in the second half after an in-swinging corner from the right, flicked on by Nolan. Sunderland managed to grab a goal back through Darren Bent, but it proved to be only a consolation. The Magpies won that day in convincing fashion
Issue 252 – 13 November 2010
Newcastle United 3-2 Sunderland October 23, 2005
Newcastle endured a tricky start to their Premier League season under manager Graeme Souness, with just nine points in their opening nine games and Sunderland second bottom, few saw this classic encounter coming.
The game exploded into life with four goals scored in a seven minutes period of the first half.
“Mackem Slayer” Ameobi’s 34th-minute header was cancelled out after Liam Lawrence’s 25-yard strike, then ex-United man Steven Caldwell conceded a goal through his own net, only for Stephen Elliott to draw Sunderland level again.
Early in the second half, Ameobi won a free kick, which Turkish midfielder Emre Belozoglu curled home from 30 yards out at the Gallowgate End for his first – and still memorable – Newcastle goal.
Newcastle United 3-1 Sunderland January 1, 1985
A magnificent Magpie treble and shameful Mackem double gave Newcastle United a glorious start to the New Year, which is still remembered in song today.
The teams were locked together towards the lower end of mid-table in the top flight. Newcastle looked vulnerable without Chris Waddle, David McCreery and Glenn Roeder. But red cards for Howard Gayle and Gary Bennett, and a famous hat-trick for Peter Beardsley ensured a famous win, despite Colin West’s reply for Sunderland.
Newcastle finished 14th that season with 52 points, whereas their rivals were relegated from the Old First Division, finishing 21st with 40 points.
Newcastle United 2-0 Sunderland September 21, 2002
Sir Bobby Robson’s first Tyne-Wear derby win at St James’ Park brought redemption for Alan Shearer.
Robson’s Magpies were having a difficult start to their Premier League season, with only one win, and Shearer had only scored one goal in seven Tyne-Wear derby appearances, which included a notorious penalty miss which sealed victory for Sunderland on Tyneside in November 2000.
The Magpies made a quick start as Craig Bellamy scored inside 83 seconds, then Shearer’s moment came soon afterwards. The former England striker was supporting a head bandage after an injury picked up on Champions League duty against Dynamo Kyiv – won a free kick just outside the box, which he fired into the bottom left-hand corner.
Peter Reid’s Black Cats never looked like getting back into the game, whilst Newcastle could have added to their lead, but Bellamy glanced his header wide and then fired a shot at Sorensen, with an injury-time Shearer’s effort blocked.
Newcastle United 4-3 Sunderland March 9, 1929
Another famous goal machine gave Newcastle victory after they had taken and lost the lead three times.
Legendary “wee” Hughie Gallacher put United back ahead after Tom Urwin and Sunderland’s George Robinson had shared early goals, only for Bobby McKay to draw the Black Cats level before half-time again.
Newcastle took the lead twice in the first half, as Tom Urwin scored inside two minutes, but George Robinson equalised moments after the Magpies took the lead. However, ten minutes later, Hughie Gallacher put United back into the lead, but at the 36th minute, Bobby McKay levelled the score to 2-2 at half-time.
It looked like deja vu in the second half, as an Adam Allan own goal made it 3-2 for the Magpies, only for Adam McLean to equalise yet again. But then Gallacher popped up with a dramatic 88th-minute winner in front of a crowd of 66,275.
Despite a thrilling derby day victory in front of the home supporters, United finished below Sunderland in the old First Division. The Magpies finished 10th, whilst the Black Cats finished fourth.