One of the Premier League’s most ferocious rivalries, the Tyne-Wear Derby, returns to the top flight after nine years as Sunderland lock horns with Newcastle on December 14 at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have enjoyed a start that has exceeded all expectations, with the Black Cats currently 9th in the league, one point above their rivals. However, they have been going through a rough patch recently, securing only one win from their last five matches. Régis Le Bris’s men hold a great record against the top 6 clubs this season, losing only 2 of 5 games.
Newcastle United, on the other hand, have endured a poor start to the season. The Magpies, however, have regained their form, winning 3 of their last 5 matches. Eddie Howe’s men will be coming into the matchup after a 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
The Battle for North East Supremacy: A Historical Overview
The Tyne-Wear Derby dates back to the English Civil War, when protestations over the advantages that merchants in Royalist Newcastle had over their Wearside counterparts led to Sunderland becoming a Parliamentarian stronghold. Separated by just 12 miles (19 km), this geographical divide has paved the way for one of the biggest footballing rivalries in the world. The Tyne-Wear Derby is ultimately a battle for regional superiority and pride.
The two sides met for the first time in an 1883 FA Cup tie, with Sunderland defeating Newcastle East End 2-0. They have faced each other a total of 157 matches, with Newcastle having a slight edge, winning 54 matches. On the other hand, Sunderland has won 53 matches, with 50 games ending in a draw. Most recently, the two sides met in the FA Cup in January 2024, with Newcastle United winning 3-0 away at the Stadium of Light. Their last Premier League meeting was in March 2016, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.
Iconic Clashes: The Derby’s Defining Moments
The derby has been defined by some of the most unforgettable moments in the sport. Here is a list of the top three moments in the derby:
- The Playoff Pitch Invasion (16 May 1990): The biggest moment in the derby came during the 1990 Second Division playoff semi-final second leg. After the first leg ended in a 0-0 draw, Sunderland travelled to St.James Park, where they were leading the game 0-2. As Sunderland was moving closer to the final, Newcastle fans invaded the pitch to get the match abandoned. However, the match resumed after a short break, and Sunderland advanced to the final.
- Shearer’s Last Match (17 April 2006): Newcastle were losing 1-0 at half-time, Magpies made a comeback, scoring four goals in the second half to win 1-4. Alan Shearer scored a penalty to make it 1-3, but suffered an ACL injury in the process. It was the final kick of his professional career, ending his playing career on a high note.
- Meeting after Eight Years (6 January 2024): It was their first meeting in eight years as Sunderland hosted Newcastle at the Stadium of Light for an FA Cup tie. Newcastle crushed Sunderland 3-0, ending their long winless streak.
Sunderland vs Newcastle United Kick-Off Time
Date: Sunday, 14 December 2025
Venue: Stadium of Light
Time: 07:30 IST/ 4:00 GMT / 15:00 CET / 09:00 ET
