Five Sunderland players who stunned St James' Park ahead of the Newcastle derby | OneFootball

Tyne-Wear derbies have minted cult heroes, from a Newcastle fan scoring for Sunderland to a blade-between-the-teeth celebration. Regis Le Bris’ side head to St James’ Park on Sunday.

Sunderland Echo picks five who shone there, starting with Gary Rowell’s hat-trick in a 4-1 Division Two win in February 1979. He struck twice early, John Connolly replied after half-time, then Rowell converted a penalty before Wayne Entwistle sealed it.

On 16 May 1990, after a goalless first leg, Eric Gates put Sunderland ahead in the Second Division play-off semi-final return. With five minutes left, Marco Gabbiadini finished a one-two with Gates to settle it. Sunderland reached Wembley and were later promoted after Swindon’s sanctions.

In November 2000, Don Hutchison, a boyhood Newcastle fan, cancelled out Gary Speed’s early goal. Niall Quinn then struck the winner with 15 minutes to play, completing a Premier League comeback and delivering successive away derby wins for the first time since 1933.

In April 2013 under Paolo Di Canio, Stephane Sessegnon put Sunderland ahead before the half-hour and Adam Johnson added late on. David Vaughan completed a 3-0 win with a curling left-footer from just outside the box past substitute goalkeeper Rob Elliot.

In 2013-14, on-loan Liverpool forward Fabio Borini scored in both league derbies. At St James’ Park in February he buried a penalty inside 20 minutes after Vurnon Anita fouled Phil Bardsley, Adam Johnson made it two and, 10 minutes from time, Jack Colback confirmed a 3-0 win.

Source: Sunderland Echo