Roy Keane hits the jackpot

Roy Keane wrote his name indelibly into Sunderland folklore by masterminding the first home victory over deadly rivals Newcastle for 28 years.

Keane wasn't even born the last time the Black Cats achieved a top-flight success over the Magpies back in 1967.

Yesterday's hoodoo-busting win came courtesy of goals from man-of-the-match Djibril Cisse and Kieran Richardson - the latter's surely a contender for goal of the season.

But the years of Sunderland subservience to their near neighbours erupted into a frenzied outpouring starting with manic hysteria and ending in mindless hatred.

The ugly scenes that scarred the 140th competitive clash between the giants of Tyne and Wear were a flashback to the era when Sunderland used to beat their deadliest rivals with a degree of regularity.

This time the spark was the appearance of the Premier League's most reviled player, Joey Barton, warming up in front of the home crowd.

Bottles were thrown and riot police sent the Magpies midfielder back to the dugout before order was restored.

And when Richardson scored the 75th-minute winner two idiots emerged from the Sunderland section of the ground to confront visiting keeper Shay Given.

Sunderland's chances of a hefty FA fine were further increased with more missiles being thrown as rival fans clashed at the final whistle.

Manager Keane hailed Richardson for his superb goal, but was also full of praise for the way his players handled the big occasion.

Keane said: "It was a good performance. We deserved to win and won it with a wonderful goal.

"You won't see many better and the game needed a goal like that.

"We have a lot of experienced players who have played in big games and I never thought for one moment they would be overawed.

"A lot has been made about our record against Newcastle, but I am unbeaten at home against them and won my previous two derbies against Middlesbrough.

"But it is just a small, baby step forward. We can't get carried away because Newcastle and Middlesbrough have been ahead of us for some years."

Toon interim boss Joe Kinnear was heartened by another fighting display from his side, but it can't hide the fact that two points from 21 represents relegation form.

Kinnear said: "We did OK.

There wasn't much difference between the sides but it was decided by an absolutely brilliant strike.

"We are hurting but now we have to make sure that we get maximum points against West Brom on Tuesday."

The impressive Cisse steered Sunderland ahead after 20 minutes when he stretched to divert in Steed Malbranque's driven ball from the right.

But Shola Ameobi equalised 10 minutes later, heading in Geremi's free kick for his second goal in successive games.

The crowning moment came when Richardson flashed home a stunning 20-yard free kick that gave Given not an earthly.

But, sadly, what will linger in the memory is not Sunderland's long-due win or Richardson's ingenuity - but the moronic behaviour that shamed North-East football.

DID YOU

KNOW?

The last time Sunderland beat United at home The Jam were number one with 'Going Underground' - the Black Cats won 1-0, back in April 1980.

GO FOR JOE?

Should Joe Kinnear be given the Toon job permanently? Join the debate at forums. mirror.co.uk Ameobi 30

STAT ATTACK

at THE STADIUM OF LIGHT ATT: 47,936

How they rated

SUNDERLAND

Subs: Tainio (Malbranque) 5, Reid (Diouf) 4, Jones (Yorke) 7

NEWCASTLE

Subs: Gutierrez (Geremi) 5, Enrique (Bassong) 4, Barton (Butt) 6

Shots

11 off target 5

3 on target 2

Story of the game

2 Corners 4

13 Fouls Conceded 16

1 Offsides 0

1 Yellow 2

0 Red 0

Possession

56% 44%

MAN OF THE MATCH

DJIBRIL CISSE

Showed his big-match experience with an assured display. Scored the opener and kept Newcastle on their toes.

MANAGERS

R KEANE

8 Got it spot on to chase the win

J KINNEAR

6 Comfortable until Keane gambled

REFEREE

MIKE RILEY 7

Kept it flowing

Next four games

STOKE (A)

CHELSEA (A)

PORTSMOUTH (H)

BLACKBURN (A)

WEST BROM (H)

ASTON VILLA (H)

FULHAM (A)

WIGAN (H)