my lifetime Newcastle have benefited from the majority of these magical moments, so below is a team consisting of players who have become cult heroes on Tyneside for their contributions on derby day and others who pulled out something special. The number of top-class free-kicks Newcastle have scored in these games is incredible... 1. John Burridge Budgie is as mad as they come. His autobiography highlights his eccentricity brilliantly. In May 1990 Burridge was in goal for a then-division-two playoff semi-final at Joker Park. Mark Stimpson was judged to have fouled Marco Gabbiadini (dive!) and Paul Hardyman stepped up to take it. Burridge made a brilliant save down to his right then Hardyman followed through and kicked Budgie in the head. He was sent off to add to his frustrations. Im not going to mention what happened in the second leg, but at the time this was a great moment as you can see from the crowd reaction. Click here 2. Ryan Taylor (over the wall) Last season Newcastle went to the Stadium of Light for the second league fixture. The match was settled by a top class Ryan Taylor free-kick and Ryan Taylor over the wall was born. Listen out for the kid shout Youre gonna miss! - BRILLIANT! Click here 3. Scott Salty Sellars Another brilliant free kick winner - a theme of Newcastle derby wins in recent years. This left-foot strike, in off the post, settled a scrappy game played on a waterlogged pitch. Newcastle were promoted not long after. Click here 4. Kevin Nolan Kevin Nolan scored four times past Sunderland in one season. Three came in the 5-1 Halloween thrashing at St James Park. Those chicken dance goal celebrations will always be remembered on both sides of the Tyne/Wear divide. Click here 5. Andy OBrien (any, any, any OBrien) Andy OBrien played in four derbies winning three and not losing any. The back fours he played in only conceded one goal in these games. Thats not what he is best remembered for though. Years after Liam OBriens goals against Sunderland his goal on Wearside launched the song: Liam OBrien, Andy OBrien, any any any OBrien. Who put the ball in the mackems net? OBrien, OBrien! That song will live forever. 6. Nikos Dabizas One of the pictures that is always widely published on derby week is that of a topless Nikos Dabizas celebrating his goal at the Stadium of Light. Nikos played in six derbies, winning four and losing none, but his goal and celebration is why he will be remembered. Click here 7. Emre The little Turkish midfielder settled a back and forth game at St James Park. Newcastle twice held the lead only to be pegged back both times, but when Emres 35-yard freekick hit the net there was no comeback. Click here 8. Peter Beardsley (obviously) Pedro achieved something remarkable. He scored a hat-trick vs Sunderland on New Year’s Day 1985, then scored again in a 2-1 win 11 years later! No Newcastle XI would be complete without Pedro. Click here 9. Alan Shearer Big Al played in nine derby games scoring three goals - not his best ratio. However, his final goal from a great career came at the Stadium of Light. With a bandage on his head and a strapped up hand, Shearer stepped up to bury a penalty and the mackems. 10. Shola Ameobi (mackem slayer) Something happens to Shola when Newcastle come up against Sunderland. Something amazing. He has started seven derbies and he has scored seven goals. He scored a Matrix-style volley in the 5-1 win at St James Park and a 92nd minute equaliser last time out. Be afraid Sunderland, be very afraid. Click here 11. Liam OBrien (any, any, any OBrien) In his Newcastle days, Liam OBrien scored two top-class goals against Sunderland. The first was a lob in November 1991 in a 1-1 draw. The second goal was another incredible Newcastle free-kick against the mackems helping the away side to a 2-1 win - probably the most famous of them all. Click here
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 06:11:05 +0000