NEWCASTLE -- Sunderland won the Tyne-Wear Derby for the third-straight time in the Premier League, as they waltzed into St. James’ Park and beat arch rivals Newcastle 3-0 for the second straight year on Saturday.
The Black Cats looked comfortable throughout and two goals in four first half minutes sealed the massive victory that lifts Sunderland into midtable. It was the first time since 1923 that the Mackems had won three-straight league games against Newcastle.
Fabio Borini smashed home a penalty to put Sunderland 1-0 up, following a foul by Vernon Anita on Phil Bardsely, then Adam Johnson tapped home to make it 2-0.
Newcastle pushed forward after the break but struggled to carve out any clear cut chances, as Johnson struck the post for Sunderland in the 65th minute as the away side looked dangerous. Newcastle sealed the win in the 78th minute as a run from Borini saw Jack Colback finish coolly to seal the 3-0 win.
Sunderland move to 24 points and rose to 12th, while Newcastle are in 8th with 37 points.
Newcastle had the first real effort on goal as Moussa Sissoko cut in from the right and fed Mathieu Debuchy, but the Magpies right back dragged his effort wide of the post.
Then in the 5th minute Marcos Alonso went close for Sunderland, as he headed home when unmarked in the box following a set piece from the left. The Black Cats settled into the game well, and looked dangerous from set pieces as the frantic start to the derby match calmed down.
But not for long.
In the 18th minute Adam Johnson dinked a great ball in to Phil Bardsley and as the right back entered the box, Newcastle midfielder Vernon Anita took him out and gave away a clear-cut penalty. Borini stepped up to smash the spot kick home and sent the traveling Sunderland fans wild.
Soon after it was 2-0 to Sunderland as an exchange between Jozy Altidore and Jack Colback resulted in the latter having a shot that deflected off Steven Taylor and found its way to Johnson at the back post, who tapped home his sixth goal in five games to double the Black Cats lead.
Newcastle tried hard to get back into the game during the rest of the first half, but too often the Magpies panicked and lumped the ball forward aimlessly. The home fans were restless, as Sunderland went in 2-0 up at the break.
The home side brought on new Dutch striker Luuk de Jong at half time, as Pardew tried to get his side going by mixing things up. Newcastle had a penalty shout in the 51st minute, as Shola Ameobi went down under a tangle of legs but it was waved away, while de Jong hit a weak effort on target.
In the 63rd minute Tiote smashed an effort towards the top corner but Vito Manone saved superbly, and from the resulting corner Ameobi headed over from close range. Newcastle were pushing for a goal back.
But soon they were almost 3-0 down as Sunderland winger Johnson cut in from the right and his curling left-footed shot hit the far post and went away to safety.
In the 78th minute Sunderland did seal the win as Colback finished superbly after being put through by Borini’s terrific run.
Sunderland grabbed yet another win against their rivals in the North East.
LINEUPS
Newcastle United: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, S.Taylor, Santon (Dummett, 64); Tiote, Sissoko, Anita (Marveaux, 74); Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi (de Jong, 45)
Sunderland: Mannone, Bardsley, Alonso, Brown, O’Shea, Bridcutt, Colback, Ki, Johnson (Larsson, 77), Borini (Gardner, 89), Altidore
Goals: Borini (19), Johnson (23), Colback (78)