CLASSIC MATCH – Newcastle 0-2 Sunderland – 1989-90 Play-Off Semi-Final

Sunderland beat their greatest rivals, 2-0 in their own backyard, to make it through to the Second-Division play-off final.

The first-leg was played at Roker Park, and the game ended 0-0, thanks to Newcastle ‘keeper John Burridge, who saved a penalty from Paul Hardyman.

Handyman was furious with his penalty being saved, and he charged over to Burridge in goal and kicked him, causing a melee in the area before being shown the red card.

The second-leg was a lot more entertaining though, as goals from Eric Gates and Marco Gabbiadini meant Sunderland would make it through to the final at Wembley Stadium.

Newcastle had an early chance as Mark McGhee struck the post with just 9 minutes on the clock.

Sunderland took the lead just under 5 minutes later as Eric Gates got on the end of a beautiful cross and prodded the ball past Burridge in goal.

Despite the mounting pressure, Tony Norman made some vital saves before Marco Gabbiadini doubled Sunderland’s lead with 5 minutes remaining.

The “G-Force” combined brilliantly on the edge of the area, as Gabbiadini played a brilliant one-two with Gates before getting in behind and stroking the ball past Burridge eith his left foot.

Sunderland went on to lose at Wembley against Swindon Town thanks to an own-goal by Gary Bennett.

However, Sunderland were awarded promotion anyway, as Swindon were found guilty of breaching financial regulations.