There have been many goals down the years during Sunderland and Newcastle games that live long in the memory. Some are spectacular, some less so, but they mean just as much. Here we look at just five great Sunderland goals scored against their bitter rivals Newcastle, both at home and away.
A thumping volley from the England international gave Sunderland a vital three points and their rivals a fourth consecutive defeat. Steven Fletcher headed on a long ball from the goalkeeper; it fell kindly for Defoe, but he still had much to do. Many thought he would take a touch, but he took everyone by surprise by producing a stunning volley which gave the Newcastle keeper no chance. The goal brought tears to the eyes of the striker, as it did to many in attendance.
Fabio Borini 2013
Super sub Fabio Borini’s thunderbolt on 84 minutes gave Sunderland a 2-1 victory with the Stadium of Light erupting as his strike hit the back of the net. It was the Black Cats’ first win of the season, and it came in spectacular style. With the game looking as if it would end in a draw, a quick free kick caught the Magpies off guard. Jozy Altidore laid the ball off to Borini, who proceeded to let fly from outside of the area and, in turn, wrote his name into Sunderland folklore.
A rocket of a free kick from Kieran Richardson sealed the points for Sunderland as they recorded a home win over their rivals for the first time in 28 years. With the game tied at 1-1, Sunderland won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Richardson stepped up to hit an unstoppable and thunderous shot past Shay Given in the Newcastle goal.
Niall Quinn 2000
| Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Barry Dixon, LWOF Site Manager
Photo courtesy of The Shin Guardian
An excellent team move was finished off by a towering Niall Quinn header at St. James’ Park. Michael Gray was picked out as he raced down the left wing, he swung in a perfect ball for Quinn, who was waiting in the area. The Irishman rose above the Newcastle defence to loop his header beyond the reach of the goalkeeper and into the top corner. It gave the Black Cats a second consecutive win on Tyneside.
Marco Gabbiadini 1990
| Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Barry Dixon, LWOF Site Manager
Photo courtesy of the Sunderland Echo
Following a 0-0 draw at Roker Park in the first leg of the playoff semi-final in 1990, most made Newcastle favourites to progress to the final at Wembley. Sunderland had very different ideas. Eric Gates gave the Black Cats a first-half lead, and as the game wore on, and the home side desperately looking for a goal, Gates and Gabbiadini, known as the G-Force, linked up. Gates played an inch-perfect pass on to his strike partner Gabbiadini, who calmly placed his shot into the far corner of the goal and beyond the keeper to send the Sunderland fans behind the goal wild and the Newcastle fans into a desperate attempt to get the game called off by invading the pitch. Not as spectacular as others on the list, but just as memorable.
Barry has been writing for LWOS since March 2015. He covers Sunderland as well as football in general. A passionate supporter of his hometown club, he went to his first game in 1987 at Roker Park and has been a season card holder for many years.
