Return of the Tyne-Wear derby - send your favourite memoriespublished at 16:54 GMT
16:54 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
It is the match Sunderland and Newcastle fans have been waiting for since the Black Cats secured their return to the Premier League in May.
While the two sides did meet in the FA Cup back in January 2024, Sunday at the Stadium of Light will see the Tyne-Wear derby take place in the league for the first time in nearly 10 years.
The last time this historic fixture took place in that setting, the north-east rivals played out a 1-1 draw on 20 March 2016.
That season saw the Magpies relegated, while a Sunderland team then spearheaded by Sam Allardyce survived.
However, relegations and promotions for each club in the years since mean supporters have not been able to cheer their side on in this derby in any of the English divisions since that date.
While the overall record in the Tyne-Wear derby is a bit more difficult to quantify, when looking at the Premier League era alone, neither set of fans can claim the bragging rights with nine wins each from their 28 meetings.
But sometimes results don't always tell the full story, so we want to know what are your favourite moments from the famous derby?
A special goal? Memorable celebration? The first time seeing it live?
'My commentary notes dissolved to mush'published at 13:29 GMT
13:29 GMT
Nick Barnes BBC Radio Newcastle Sunderland commentator
Image source, Getty Images
This will be my 28th derby but it is the first I covered in August 1999 that is unquestionably the most memorable.
It was at St James' Park when the word 'biblical' to describe the weather was for once apposite. As was the battle that took place on and off the pitch.
The background to the game in 1999 was dominated by then-Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit's seemingly tumultuous dressing room - confirmed on the night when he dropped Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson and named them both as substitutes.
Rookie Paul Robinson started the game for Newcastle and the rain started to fall. The press box was deluged and water started to build up around our feet. Several reporters went into the media room to watch the game on television screens but that was not an option for us. We HAD to sit it out.
My commentary notes dissolved to mush. Towels were sought but were useless in the face of the growing flood. Newcastle had taken the lead through Kieron Dyer but Niall Quinn equalised not long after the hour mark.
There was talk of the match being abandoned. The pitch was a swimming pool and the conditions were worsening by the minute, but with 15 minutes left Kevin Phillips scored Sunderland's second.
Referee Graham Poll was left in an impossible position. To abandon the match would have incurred the wrath of both sets of supporters. He was left with no choice but to see it through until the end.
When I got home that night, I hung my jacket in the airing cupboard to dry out. It took two days to do so.
Gossip: Sunderland target Guendouzipublished at 07:54 GMT
07:54 GMT
Former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is a target for Sunderland, who have bid £21.4m for the France international, 26, who plays for Lazio. (Sunderland Echo), external
Will Adingra benefit from Afcon rejection?published at 12:55 GMT 10 December
12:55 GMT 10 December
Noel Sliney BBC Sport senior journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Simon Adingra was named Best Young Player at the most recent Africa Cup of Nations but the winger's omission from the Ivory Coast squad for the upcoming edition is symptomatic of his underwhelming time at Sunderland so far.
The 23-year-old has only started four games since his summer move from Brighton for an initial £18m and he is yet to score or provide an assist.
Since being substituted for tactical reasons after 37 minutes at Old Trafford on 4 October with Sunderland trailing 2-0, Adingra has been restricted to three appearances off the bench. His total playing time during that period amounts to a single half of football.
Adingra became a national hero in February last year, scoring a last-minute equaliser for Ivory Coast in their quarter-final against Mali and laying on both goals in their comeback victory against Nigeria in the final.
While he won't be in Morocco for the Ivory Coast's title defence, this year's Africa Cup of Nations still provides an opportunity for Adingra – with Sunderland. Club team-mate Bertrand Traoré has been selected by Burkino Faso for the tournament and fellow winger Chemsdine Talbi is expected to be part of Morocco's squad.
Both could be missing for seven Sunderland games after Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby and their absence means the Black Cats will lack options in the wide attacking areas.
Enzo Le Fee has performed well on the left this season and Eliezer Mayenda is an option on the right but, as the only fully fit out-and-out winger available over the festive period, Adingra will surely get a chance to reignite his career.
'Relief more than disappointment' at Man Citypublished at 08:59 GMT 9 December
08:59 GMT 9 December
Gavin Henderson Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
As someone who always looks for the positives, I went into the Manchester City game thinking Sunderland could play with freedom. The excellent results against Bournemouth and Liverpool meant a defeat at Etihad Stadium would not be disastrous – especially with the derby against Newcastle looming.
That optimism lasted until team news dropped. For the first time this season, I felt genuinely nervous. Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki were both one yellow away from suspension, and Reinildo's absence sparked fears of a serious injury.
Thankfully, all three will be fine for the derby, but the knowledge that one rash challenge could rule them out clearly affected their performances.
We lined up in the familiar 5-4-1, with Wilson Isidor and Bertrand Traore returning up front and Lutsharel Geertruida slotting into a reshuffled defence that saw Trai Hume switch to left-back and Nordi Mukiele to the right.
From the start, it was obvious the midfield duo were playing within themselves. Without their usual aggression, we could not press City as we have other big sides this season. Instead we sat deep, stayed compact and waited to counter-attack. For half an hour, it worked perfectly: City had plenty of possession but barely threatened, with Dan Ballard outstanding in keeping Erling Haaland quiet.
When we did break, our transitions were sharp and purposeful but City's individual quality told in the end and their quickfire two goals meant the game plan was shredded before half-time.
To our credit, Sunderland came out swinging after the break and we looked capable of getting back into it. Pushing forward left gaps though, and City killed the game with a glorious third.
With the points gone, protecting Xhaka and Sadiki was the priority and both were sensibly withdrawn, guaranteeing their availability for Newcastle. Playing without their trademark bite had neutered them all afternoon.
Late on, Luke O'Nien – making only his second appearance of the season – was sent off for an unnecessary lunge on Matheus Nunes in stoppage time. A needless red that rules him out of vital games once AFCON depletes the squad.
The final whistle brought relief more than disappointment. The away end immediately switched to Newcastle chants. Job done: key men preserved, no fresh injuries and eyes already on the derby.
FA Cup third round draw detailspublished at 13:45 GMT 8 December
13:45 GMT 8 December
Image source, Getty Images
The draw for the third round of the FA Cup will take place on Monday, 8 December at around 18:40 GMT, before the broadcast of Brackley Town v Burton Albion - the final game of the Second Round.
Former England internationals Joe Cole and Peter Crouch will conduct the draw that will consist of 64 teams on TNT Sports.
The 20 winners of the second-round ties will be joined by all 20 Premier League clubs and 24 Championship teams in the third round.
All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra-time and if necessary, a penalty shootout.
Harry: Much better. Keeping Nico Gonzalez on proved to be a good decision as we need him in midfield. Erling Haaland went missing a bit but he is more than allowed to. We shouldn't be relying on one person and he is a stalwart for us. Send Lyon another £30m as Rayan Cherki is such a player and is so unselfish. I don't think we were tested enough to know if our defence has improved, although Ruben Dias did almost hand them a freebie were it not for Gianluigi Donnarumma. All in all, a comfortable comprehensive win against a respectable and class opponent.
Maurice: Better stuff, but we are not safe in defence. Why? Well, our two wing-backs are forwards and that carries a risk.
Freddie: City were excellent in both defence and attack. Great to get a clean sheet after Fulham and Leeds and Phil Foden is on top form at the moment, I hope this season will be similar to 2023-24 for him. Cherki was really good too - that assist will be remembered for years to come. Two points behind Arsenal so this title race is on!
Sunderland fans
Ron: A terrible performance. No bite, no intensity - I think their minds were on next Sunday's game.
Ian: A curiously passive first-half performance from Sunderland that saw City establish a 2-0 lead. In a much improved second half, Sunderland came close to reducing the deficit but the game turned on three events: Donnarumma's point-blank save after Dias lost possession, Granit Xhaka hitting the post, and Foden snuffing out Sunderland's enthusiasm with a header which went in off the bar. The final score seems comprehensive enough, but does Sunderland little justice.
Anthony: We were beaten by a better organised side and we never really got into the game. I felt sorry for Luke O'Nien - he deserved a booking but VAR (who run the game these days) decided it was a red card. I would feel the same had it been a City player.
'Decision-making and ball-retention was poor' - Bennettpublished at 09:01 GMT 8 December
09:01 GMT 8 December
Image source, Getty Images
Former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett says Regis le Bris will be "looking for a reaction" from his players after they were comfortably dispatched by Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
The Black Cats will need to quickly dust themselves off after conceding three goals and having a player sent-off at Etihad Stadium, with next weekend's Tyne-Wear derby only round the corner.
"That red card just summed Sunderland's afternoon up," Bennett told BBC Radio Newcastle. "Their decision-making and ball-retention was poor.
"Manchester City, and Rayan Cherki in particular, showed their quality. They are at the level which this club is aiming for.
"You're up against quality in this league. If you look at the first goal, if you don't close down players quick enough then they are capable of striking the ball like that. If you look at the second goal, you cannot afford to leave free headers in the box.
"Manchester City have players who can make things happen, open doors and create opportunities - we saw that all afternoon. But Regis le Bris will be disappointed with how they kept giving the ball away in the first half, you just cannot afford to do that.
"What were we expecting though? Especially given how things had panned out even before a ball had been kicked, with Arsenal losing to Aston Villa. That result gave them that little bit more energy because they were in a better position and knew they had to win the game.
"Regis le Bris will be looking for a reaction after this result. The players already look like they know that they didn't play well and that they could've done better."
Analysis: Fine margins prove criticalpublished at 19:10 GMT 6 December
19:10 GMT 6 December
Shamoon Hafez Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Regis le Bris' side have been a revelation this season and, despite the heavy defeat, still sit seventh in the Premier League table.
They came into this contest against Manchester City brimming with confidence, having lost just one of their past five games and having picked up a thoroughly creditable point at champions Liverpool in midweek.
But conceding two quick-fire goals in the first half killed off any prospect of a shock result at Etihad Stadium, where they have never won in the Premier League in 14 attempts.
They will look back on the chance missed by Wilson Isidor at 2-0, shooting straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma from the centre of goal, while Granit Xhaka's strike, which hit the woodwork, showed the fine margins that cost them.
Man City 3-0 Sunderland: What Le Bris saidpublished at 18:12 GMT 6 December
18:12 GMT 6 December
Media caption,
Sunderland manager Regis le Bris has been speaking to Sky Sports following the defeat at Etihad Stadium: "It's tough to repeat performances at this level. After Bournemouth and Liverpool, we are probably a bit tired. Manchester City's quality is relentless so, if you're not at your best, it's difficult to manage their threat.
"They deserved to win. They have built this team over many seasons, but for us it is still the beginning of the journey. This defeat is fair. We have to learn from negative experiences and this one was difficult. We are still feeling really positive."
On having midfielders on four yellow cards and trying to avoid suspensions: "It was part of the problem. We played with two midfielders at 60% to 70% intensity which was not useful, but after a week like this it was important to have in mind that we have an important derby at home next week."
On Luke O'Nien's red card: "It's a shame to receive a red card at the end of the game, but if the referee thought it was red card then that's fine. When you're not at your best, you have to accept this."
Did you know?
Sunderland suffered their heaviest Premier League defeat of the season and their heaviest top-flight defeat since losing 5-1 at Chelsea on the final day in 2016-17.
Man City v Sunderland: Team newspublished at 14:02 GMT 6 December
14:02 GMT 6 December
Manchester City make one change from their incredible 5-4 win at Fulham on Tuesday.
Rayan Cherki returns to the side in place of Tijjani Reijnders, who drops to the bench.
Man City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Gonzalez, Silva, Foden, Doku, Cherki, Haaland
Sunderland make three changes following their credible draw at champions Liverpool during the week.
Lutsharel Geertruida, Bertrand Traore and Wilson Isidor come into the side, with Reinildo, Brian Brobbey and Anfield goalscorer Chemsdine Talbi dropping out.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Leeds v Liverpool", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Man City v Sunderlandpublished at 11:06 GMT 6 December
11:06 GMT 6 December
I've seen a lot of Manchester City recently - I was at their win over Leeds and also against Fulham - so I've seen a lot of goals at both ends in the past few days.
Usually I'd be pretty confident they would win this one at home, but not so much now.
I could not believe how passive Pep Guardiola's side were in the second half at Craven Cottage when Fulham were fighting back against them. When it went from 5-1 to 5-3, I thought City would assert themselves again, but it just did not happen.
Fulham did not lie down, the same way Leeds did not lie down when they came back from 2-0 to 2-2 at Etihad Stadium last weekend, and we know Sunderland will throw lots at City too.
Sunderland are not just about fight and desire, either. As we saw when they played Liverpool on Wednesday, they are about organisation and carrying a goal threat too.
The Black Cats players were probably sitting in the Anfield dressing room at full-time feeling disappointed, so they will not be approaching this game with any fear whatsoever.
I am still going to go with City here because they usually win at home and Phil Foden appears to be back at his very best, I've really enjoyed what I've seen from him.
But, even if they go 2-0 up, we know the game won't be over. City don't seem capable of killing a game anymore.
Manchester City v Sunderland: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 18:34 GMT 5 December
18:34 GMT 5 December
Sunderland have enjoyed a superb start to the life back in the top flight, but face a huge test as they take on a Manchester City side who came through a 5-4 goalfest against Fulham on Tuesday.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of Saturday's meeting at the Etihad Stadium (15:00 GMT).
City's defensive record concerning
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said his side's second-half performance in their crazy 5-4 win over Fulham aged him considerably.
"Did you enjoy it? I lost my hair!" he jokingly bemoaned to reporters afterwards. "It was impossible for me to enjoy."
Having raced into a 5-1 lead with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland to the fore, City were cruising only to concede three times in 21 minutes. A nervy finish almost ended in only the second 5-5 draw in Premier League history, but Josko Gvardiol's 98th minute clearance off the line secured three valuable points.
Question marks, though, were understandably raised over their defending as they conceded two goals for a fourth straight game in all competitions.
The 16 goals they have let in across their 14 league matches does not compare favourably with the seven title rivals Arsenal have conceded from the same amount of matches.
Before the madness at Craven Cottage began, Haaland became not only the 35th player to score 100 Premier League goals, but the fastest.
He achieved the feat in just 111 games, beating Alan Shearer's previous mark by 13 matches. Fascinatingly, he also did it in the same number of games as Watford managed as a team and seven fewer than it took West Brom's players to cumulatively reach a century.
The Norwegian has scored against all 23 of the Premier League teams he has faced so far, can he make Sunderland number 24?
Will Le Bris get the perfect birthday present?
Sunderland's point at Liverpool on Wednesday took them to 23 points from 14 matches, just one fewer than they managed across the whole of their previous Premier League campaign in 2016-17.
Regis Le Bris's side came mightily close to what would have been a first win at Anfield since 1983. After conceding a late deflected equaliser, they were then left to rue Wilson Isidor spurning a one-on-one at the death.
But their draw added to a victory earlier in the season at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, showing that they are not fazed by a trip to the big sides.
And there's certainly been nothing lucky about the Black Cats' start to life back in the top flight. Just two defeats in 12 (W5, D5) means they sit in the lofty heights of sixth, a position their fans could have only dreamt about at the start of the season.
This fixture falls on the day of Le Bris's 50th birthday and it is fair to say their head coach wouldn't be short of people offering to buy him a drink if he headed into Sunderland to celebrate.
However, if they win their next fixture, which is arguably their biggest of the season as Newcastle come to town next Sunday, then he will never have to buy a drink ever again.
Can Le Bris exploit Man City's weaknesses at the Etihad?published at 16:07 GMT 5 December
16:07 GMT 5 December
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris says Saturday's opponents Manchester City are one of the best teams in the league on the ball, but their last game against Fulham showed their weaknesses.
Pep Guardiola's side went 5-1 up against the Whites on Tuesday, but almost blew their lead in a game that ended 5-4 at Craven Cottage.
"We are building our confidence through different experiences like our collective knowledge, which is positive," Le Bris said.
"Manchester City is probably one of the best teams in this league with the ball so we know that the pitch is big and that we'll face one of the toughest challenges this season.
"It [their match against Fulham] showed that they can concede goals and they have their own weaknesses - so it's like that, trying to manage their strengths and trying to open the opportunities to score.
'It was an experience!' - Phillips on the Anfield away endpublished at 13:21 GMT 5 December
13:21 GMT 5 December
Image source, Getty Images
Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips says says he enjoyed the experience of being among the away fans in Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
Phillips scored 118 goals in 223 games for the Black Cats, winning the Premier League Golden Goot in the 1999–2000 season.
"It was an experience let's put it that way!" Phillips told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"It was a good day. We got to Anfield early to do a bit of filming.
"To be honest I was glad I was right at the very front. I think if I had been right in the middle of the fans it might have been a little bit different, but it was an experience!
"We went into Liverpool during the day and met up with the fans. It's interesting from a player's point of view - you don't really see what the fans do on matchdays.
"It was good to be amongst them and it was a good watch. At the minute Sunderland are riding high so to be right in there, watch it myself, and see the team perform how they did at a very difficult place was great.
"When you are at pitch level, which I was, you can see the intensity and the pace and you forget we used to do it.
Image source, Getty Images
