Heroes are made on derby day and sometimes the big goals come from unlikely sources.
I think back to Nikos Dabizas’ header at the Stadium of Light in 2002 and the Ryan Taylor free-kick in 2011 that sparked scenes of huge celebration among thousands in black and white behind the goal.
Away fans have since been moved to the upper tier at the Stadium of Light – something that probably benefits Sunderland.
There has only been one north east derby in the nine years I have been BBC Radio Newcastle’s commentator – a comfortable 3-0 win for the Magpies in the FA Cup two seasons ago. Then, they were a division apart but this weekend, only a point separates the teams.
Sunderland may have had the upper hand in the derbies before the clubs’ respective relegations, but I welcome the return of the fixture.
Unlike in the 2010s – when both were either in mid-table or fighting relegation – this weekend’s match will be contested by two good teams, representing ambitious clubs.
Eddie Howe said his first words to the players about the derby were delivered in the dressing room after the draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday. That is because Newcastle’s focus has been on their Champions League campaign while also trying to improve their Premier League position, which they have managed to do since the November international break.
Howe would have liked a full week to prepare but the Magpies are now so used to playing every three or four days that a lack of training time should not be a problem.
Their record under Howe in the biggest matches is very good and he has top-level players who will love an occasion like this.
I sense uncertainty among the fanbase about how Sunday will go. Many consider Sunderland favourites after their impressive return to the Premier League. Newcastle’s bad habit of throwing away a lead and conceding late goals – sometimes doing both in the same game – adds to the unease.
But, I think the extra quality of the away side will make the difference and ensure three points go back to Tyneside.
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