Djibril Cisse gave the fans something to cheer about twenty-minutes into the match as he was fed a perfect pass from Steed Malbranque in-close and dispatched it quickly to the back of the net. However only ten minutes later the Magpies brought the match level as and unmarked Shola Ameobi rose high to head-in Geremi's free-kick. While Sunderland was the aggressor for the majority of the match, poor finishes ruined numerous opportunities. Twelve minutes after the break Kenwyne Jones entered the match for veteran Dwight Yorke and immediately provided a spark. Sunderland took the lead for good with fifteen minutes remaining as Kieran Richardson tore through the nets with an electrifying free-kick from just outside of the box. The lead seemed to push the Black Cats on and with confidence soaring them, despite Newcastle's best efforts, they held on to a deserving 2-1 victory.
The loss sends Newcastle to second from the bottom of the table, only ahead of perplexing Tottenham who stand with only two points and Sunderland to ninth.
