Can you believe it has been over a decade since Newcastle United last defeated Sunderland? On August 20, 2011 - exactly 11 years ago today - an unlikely hero etched his name into Tyneside folklore forever.
Ryan Taylor, a makeshift left-back as the Magpies had not yet signed Davide Santon, produced a moment of brilliance to clinch the 147th Tyne-Wear derby. On the hour mark, the Scouser curled a free-kick from an awkward angle past the hapless Simon Mignolet and the legend was born.
Ryan Taylor, over the wall, was born.
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Ahead of the clash, Newcastle supporters were disgruntled by the club’s transfer activity. The £35million received from Andy Carroll had seemingly evaporated and first-team stalwarts Kevin Nolan and Jose Enrique also left for pastures new.
Even the Magpies’ own players were speaking out against Mike Ashley. Joey Barton, not one to shirk confrontation, hit out at the Sports Direct tycoon and was shipped out to QPR - on a free transfer - just days later. The victory against Sunderland would prove to be his last in a black-and-white shirt.
Alan Pardew was slowly introducing new recruit Demba Ba to his side whereas Yohan Cabaye and Gabriel Obertan were thrown straight into the deep end at the Stadium of Light. This is how United lined up against their bitter rivals.
Krul; Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, R Taylor; Obertan, Cabaye, Tiote, Barton, Gutierrez; Ameobi
It was Sunderland who enjoyed the chances early on as Stephane Sessegnon forced Tim Krul into a save from distance. In his final game, Barton was ironically at the centre of controversy - but through no fault of his own.
When his effort was cleared off the line by Sebastian Larsson’s hand, every Newcastle player vehemently protested for a penalty. However, Howard Webb signalled a corner and, had the Magpies not won the game, this injustice would have been vilified.
A typical Tyne-Wear derby ensued as Wes Brown and Ryan Taylor were booked for rash tackles. The Black Cats appealed for a penalty on 58 minutes when Cheick Tiote brought down Kieran Richardson but, again, Webb waved play on.
Then, the moment…
On the left of the penalty area, Taylor placed the ball down with the hopes of every Geordie resting on his shoulders. A cross-cum-shot - he will say it was a shot! - when looping into the top corner in front of the 3,000-strong away contingent.
Bedlam in the away end.
For the rest of the game, Newcastle held their nerve to earn the bragging rights until the next one. A frustrating afternoon for Sunderland was rounded off by Phil Bardsley being sent off in the dying embers.
It is astonishing to think that this game was the last time Newcastle claimed those illustrious bragging rights. A disastrous run in the derbies in the following years - combined with the Black Cats’ capitulation into the lower leagues - means the North East has been starved of rivalry for six-and-a-half years.
For context, a newborn baby when Taylor whipped in that free-kick will be starting secondary school next month. A whole generation of young supporters are oblivious to the nerves, banter and euphoria/devastation that derby day brings.
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