An Adam Johnson-inspired Sunderland condemned Newcastle to their second successive three-goal derby and third straight home loss in a one-sided match at St. James' Park. The flying winger helped provoke a penalty converted by Fabio Borini and scored a tap-in before Jack Colback sealed the rout for the resurgent Wearsiders. The hosts threatened within two minutes as Moussa Sissoko beat Borni in the right corner and passed to Mathieu Debuchy in the box, only for the Frenchman to drag his effort across goal. And three minutes later Sunderland struck back, Marcos Alonso heading over after connecting with Johnson's whipped-in free-kick into the box. Johnson was integral to the 19th-minute opening goal the former England international dinked a clever box-bound ball to the on-rushing Phil Bardsley, who was upended by Vurnon Anita for a penalty. The penalty-taking honours fell to Borini, the on-loan striker drilling a powerful effort to Tim Krul's right, leaving the keeper with no chance and putting the visitors one up. Johnson put himself among the goals only four minutes later, following up on Krul's fingertip save from Jack Colback's deflected shot to take himself to six goals in his last four league games. The winger's job was made easier by Colback's darting run the Englishman took the ball down from Jozy Altidore's sublime pass before his effort ricocheted off Steven Taylor, bamboozling Krul and setting up the tap-in. The first-half boos still ringing in their ears, Newcastle waited seven minutes after half-time for their first shot on target as substitute Luuk de Jong's tame effort was easily snatched up by Vito Mannone. But four minutes later the in-form Johnson could've notched his second of the afternoon with a free-kick from the edge of the area, but instead blasted over to keep Newcastle hopes faintly intact. The 61st minute saw the Mackems almost grab a third again as Altidore's deflected shot fell to an in-space Colback on the edge of the box, but the midfielder's effort whistled past the far post. But the Magpies came roaring back as a 65th-minute outside-the-box screamer from Cheick Tiote stung Mannone's palms before rolling out Shola Ameobi flashed a header across goal from the resulting corner. Yet Johnson proved why he was the star man this game just a minute later, beating subbed-on Paul Dummett and Moussa Sissoko in a mazy run before dinking the ball onto Krul's post from an angle. Ameobi could've broken his 28-game duck twice in the 72nd minute put in by Krul's long free-kick, his attempted chip was thwarted by the advancing Mannone. And in the 80th minute the game was all over with Colback robbing Hatem Ben Arfa on the halfway line, the midfielder played in Borini, who passed it back to allow Colback to finish. The game over as a contest and Sunderland out the relegation zone three disgruntled Newcastle fans invaded the pitch, with the first attempting to give his season ticket to a now surely under-pressure Alan Pardew.
Durham University graduate and qualified sports journalist. Very good at sitting down and watching things. Can multi-task this with playing computer games. Football Manager addict who has taken Shrewsbury Town to the summit of the Premier League.
You can follow me at @Ed_OwenUK, if you like ramblings about Newcastle United and A Place in the Sun. If you don't, I don't know what I can do for you.
