4. Newcastle United 1-2 Sunderland August 25th 1999
This derby was significant for many reasons with the excitement and controversy starting even before kick-off. Under pressure, Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit left Alan Shearer out of the starting eleven, preferring to play youngster Paul Robinson in attack. However Newcastle did initially lead just before the half hour mark with Kieron Dyer lifting the ball over Sorensen in the Sunderland goal. The game was played in atrocious conditions as the rain poured down on Tyneside but after the goal only an equaliser could dampen the home fans mood. Sunderland grew in to the game and eventually drew level when some poor defending allowed Niall Quinn to head home a free kick after losing his marker. Sunderland then took the lead with quarter of an hour to go, Tommy Wright denied Phillips from close range before the ball fell back to Phillips at an acute angle and he somehow lifted the ball over the keeper. With the pitch barely playable Sunderland held on for a 2-1 win and in dramatic conditions Sunderland had a great victory. Newcastle fans devastated they had lost to their recently promoted rivals. Despite the horrible result though, it was probably for the best in the long term. Gullit was sacked not long after and Bobby Robson came in, rejuvenating the Toon Army.