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Match Report
 

All Square On Wearside

             Sunderland                       2 ..
                                Phillips '23, '83

                          Newcastle United               2........
                                 Domi '11
                                  Helder '21

                                                Kevin Phillips rescued a derby point for Sunderland just
                                                when it looked like Newcastle had gained revenge for their
                                                early-season defeat. The former Watford player struck
                                               seven minutes from time to secure a share of the spoils
                                               after the visitors had raced into a 2-0 first-half lead. Goals
                                               from Didier Domi and Cristavao Helder within the first 21
                                               minutes put Newcastle firmly in the driving seat, but Phillips
                                               pulled one back on 22nd minutes and then equalised as
                                               time ran out to satisfy local pride.

                                               United will count themselves somewhat unfortunate not to
                                               have left Wearside with all three points after a superb
                                               display from keeper Steve Harper, who made four crucial
                                               saves to keep his side in front. But there was nothing he
                                               could do to prevent Phillips from taking his tally to 22 for
                                               the season as Sunderland staged a second-half revival.

                                               Peter Reid made four changes to the side which went down
                                               2-1 to Leeds a fortnight ago, Jody Craddock replacing the
                                               injured Steve Bould and Niall Quinn returning from
                                               suspension, while Chris Makin and Nicky Summerbee were
                                               recalled after being dropped for the Leeds clash. Newcastle
                                               boss Bobby Robson left out Kevin Gallacher and drafted in
                                               Domi, who provided the cross for Alan Shearer's winner at
                                               Blackburn on Monday night after coming on as substitute.
 
                                               The game had been billed as a clash between two of the
                                               Premiership's most dangerous strikeforces, but Newcastle
                                               did not have to rely on Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson
                                               as they raced out of the blocks. Thomas Sorensen had
                                               already tipped a Ferguson header over the bar when Domi
                                               profited from good work by the lively Kieron Dyer and the
                                               big Scot Ferguson to send a deflected shot past the Danish
                                               keeper to open the scoring. It should have been two seven
                                               minutes later when Gary Speed put Dyer one-on-one with
                                               Sorensen, but again the keeper was equal to the task.
 
                                               However, United did extend their lead on 21 minutes when
                                               Makin was penalised for a foul on Dyer. The England man
                                               picked himself off to curl in a teasing free-kick which Helder
                                               met powerfully to give Sorensen no chance. But the
                                               travelling supporters had their celebrations cut short within
                                               60 seconds when Niall Quinn, who was making life
                                               desperately difficult for Nicos Dabizas, flicked on Makin's
                                               free-kick to Phillips, and he took his time before firing past
                                               Harper from close range.

                                               Craddock had to clear a Ferguson header off the line after
                                               Sorensen dropped Domi's corner, but it was Sunderland who
                                               finished the half the stronger as Harper pulled off two
                                               superb saves to deny first Kevin Kilbane and Makin.
                                               Sunderland emerged for the second half determined to fight
                                               their way back into the game, and although they enjoyed
                                               the lion's share of the possession, they were able to create
                                               few genuine chances.

                                               However, it took another fine stop from Harper to keep his
                                               side ahead on 61 minutes when Gavin McCann found
                                               Summerbee in space on the right and he laid the ball inside
                                               for full-back Makin. Makin struck his low shot well, but
                                               Harper was able to palm it away.
 
                                               Despite finding themselves under the cosh, Newcastle were
                                               defending bravely as Helder and Dabizas began to compete
                                               well with the towering Quinn, and with Dyer always looking
                                               dangerous on the break, the home rearguard had to remain
                                               on their toes. Harper came to the rescue once again 10
                                               minutes from time when he flew out at Kilbane's feet to
                                               block the Irishman's shot after Quinn had again flicked on.
                                               But Harper was left helpless with 83 minutes gone when
                                               Kilbane crossed and Phillips nipped in to prod home from
                                               close range.