Quinn brings tears to the Toon



Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland A 76th-minute strike from Niall Quinn sealed a marvellous second-half comeback as the visitors repeated last season's away derby win. But Sunderland still needed Thomas Sorensen's save from Alan Shearer's penalty to seal local north-eastern supremacy. The home side were offered a lifeline with five minutes remaining when Robert Lee was brought down by scorer Quinn. But Newcastle captain Shearer had the spot-kick brilliantly saved by Sorensen. Quinn had been on hand to head home a Michael Gray cross, silence the home crowd and send the travelling few into raptures. Gary Speed had given Bobby Robson's men a fourth minute lead but the Black Cats came back well and equalised through Don Hutchison after 68 minutes. Dramatic

If you want someone in that position then Niall Quinn is the man you want

Sunderland boss

Peter Reid In a tense and passionate affair, it was the home side who almost took a dramatic early lead when Speed was put through and with only Sorensen to beat the Welsh international sent his shot well wide. But just moments later the midfielder made amends when he reacted quickest to his own bullet header, from a Nolberto Solano cross, which rebounded fortuitously to him inside the six-yard area.

It was pulsating. I thought my players showed remarkable character again

Peter Reid It was a shock to the system for Peter Reid's men, who seeked an early reply. They almost got their reward, but Niall Quinn's deft chip, following a neat move involving skipper Gray and Kevin Phillips, was tipped over by an alert Shay Given. Tugged back

It was a pulsating affair, with Sunderland looking to record their second successive league win at St James' Park. Newcastle were seeking to gain revenge for last year's defeat, which eventually resulted in the sacking of former boss Ruud Gullit. Despite Newcastle's early fervour, Sunderland's defence, especially the part played by Brazilian Emerson Thome, did well to stifle the home attack. At the other end the Black Cats were unlucky not to have a penalty awarded for their endeavours when defender Jody Craddock appeared to have his shirt tugged back by Shearer. The pace of the game slowed after the break although passions still remained high. Sunderland began to make in-roads into a Newcastle back-line lacking leadership and the likes of Gray and Kevin Kilbane were able to flaunt their skills down the flanks. Pinpoint

Alan's apologised but he doesn't have to apologise to me or anybody else. He's scored goals all over the world from penalties so one of these days he's going to miss

Bobby Robson After Quinn's stooping header was superbly saved by Given low down to his left, Peter Reid's men finally made their pressure tell. England hitman Phillips teased his way down the left and sent in a pinpoint centre to the arriving Hutchison, who made no mistake. And with 14 minutes remaining, Gray surged down the left-hand flank and sent in a fantastic ball which Quinn headed in with nonchanlant ease. The shoulders of the Newcastle players dropped as they faced a successive Tyne-Wear derby defeat at "fortress" St James. It was made all the worse when Shearer missed his penalty after Robert Lee was felled with five minutes left. But at the final whistle nobody could deny Sunderland a win which they fully deserved. Newcastle: Given, S. Caldwell, Lee, Hughes, Solano, Bassedas, Acuna, Speed, Domi, Dyer, Shearer. Subs: Barton, Griffin, Harper, Cordone, Lua-Lua. Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Gray, Thome, Craddock, Rae, Hutchison, Williams, Kilbane, Quinn, Phillips. Subs: Dichio, Oster, Macho, Varga, Arca. Referee: G Poll (Tring)