The 2023/24 FA Cup third-round draw conjured up the first Tyne-Wear Derby in eight years – the longest gap between Newcastle vs Sunderland fixtures since World War II.
These two bitter rivals from the north-east of England are used to squaring off in bitter duels where bragging rights rule.
It’s been a tumultuous time for both in recent times, with Sunderland’s demise and Newcastle’s rise seeing them drift apart. However, a Black Cat resurgence has supporters dreaming of regular meetings with their arch-rivals once more.
Here’s a rundown of the Tyne-Wear Derby.
Rivalries are great and all, but they hit just that little bit harder when trophies or promotion are on the line.
That was the scenario in 1990 when both Newcastle and Sunderland reached the Second Division play-offs. The two rivals faced off in a two-legged semi-final, the first of which at Roker Park finished goalless.
Micky Quinn and Mark McGhee were expected to power the Magpies through to the final, but instead Eric Gates opened the scoring in the 13th minute of the second leg before Marco Gabbiadini sparked scenes in the away end by doubling the lead late on.
It was make-or-break time for stylish young manager Ruud Gullit on Tyneside when newly-promoted Sunderland rocked up to St James’ Park at the end of August hoping to add their spoon to the pot stirring.
Gullit’s complicated relationship with Tyneside hero Alan Shearer came to a head on this solemn night. The rain teamed down on St James’ as Kieron Dyer gave Newcastle the lead and Gullit some brief respite, but a Niall Quinn equaliser reunited the Dutchman with his worst fears.
The Magpies’ woeful start to the season and Gullit’s decision regarding Shearer – starting him on the bench alongside strike partner Duncan Ferguson – rendered this a must-win derby, even if a victory would have thrust Shearer’s future into doubt. The England striker eventually entered proceedings, but it wasn’t he who landed the decisive blow. Kevin Phillips’ clever chip handed the Black Cats a deserved 2-1 lead and eventually all three points.
“It Doesn’t Get Any Worse Than This”, front-paged The Evening Chronicle the following day. Gullit departed shortly after.
Gullit’s departure made sure of Shearer’s stay and the striker thrived once more under the Dutchman’s successor, Sir Bobby Robson.
Robson then departed in 2004, followed by Shearer two years later. However, before he hung up his boots, Shearer broke Jackie Milburn’s Newcastle scoring record in January 2006 before netting his 206th and final goal for the Magpies against Sunderland in April 2006.
The striker’s penalty was one of three second-half goals Newcastle scored within seven minutes to quickly overturn a 1-0 half-time deficit. Shearer was then replaced by Albert Luque, with the substitute scoring the visitors’ fourth on what was a memorable derby day for the Toon Army for a whole host of reasons.
Kevin Nolan was a seasoned Premier League campaigner by 2010, having featured regularly in the top flight for Bolton Wanderers before a January switch to St James’ Park.
One thing he’d never done before this Tyne-Wear derby, however, was score a Premier League hat-trick. The midfielder poached his way to an October treble alongside Shola Ameobi’s double as Newcastle secured their biggest win over Sunderland since 1956.
Sunderland enjoyed their most recent encounters with Newcastle in the Premier League, going unbeaten in their last nine games against their bitter rivals in the top flight. This 3-0 win, which included the manic celebrations of Paolo Di Canio on the sidelines, also kick-started a run of six straight wins for the Black Cats in this fixture.
The hosts couldn’t break through despite applying pressure in the first half as Stephane Sessegnon struck before Adam Johnson and David Vaughan capped the victory late on.
It was an inspired win for Sunderland – their first at St James’ Park in 13 years – and both sides would eventually avoid relegation after an intense battle.
Newcastle vs Sunderland – Complete H2H record
Newcastle vs Sunderland – Premier League H2H record
Newcastle vs Sunderland- FA Cup H2H record
Top scorers in Newcastle vs Sunderland fixtures
|
Player |
Club(s) represented |
Goals |
|---|---|---|
|
Jackie Milburn |
Newcastle |
11 |
|
Shola Ameobi |
Newcastle |
7 |
|
Colin Suggett |
Newcastle & Sunderland |
5 |
|
Charlie Fleming |
Sunderland |
5 |
|
George Robledo |
Newcastle |
5 |