Football Corner

Newcastle have today defeated new boys Sunderland in a five goal thriller at St. James' Park. Shola Ameobi was first to score when his aerial threat proved too much for Sunderland to handle - first when he lost his marker to notch the opener and then three minutes later when he nodded in Charles N'Zogbia's hooked cross. Squeezed between Ameobi's first goals of the season came a strike of real quality from Lawrence, who arrowed a low shot into the bottom right corner. There was no time to catch breath as the frenetic pace continued - as did the quality of Sunderland's finishing. After jinking his way into a shooting opportunity, Elliott unleashed a curler from 25 yards, which sailed into the top left corner.

Souness and Emre celebrate after his tremendous free-kick
It was an unexpected passage of play, passionate and unusually open match. Dean Whitehead had been booked after only 35 seconds for a crunching tackle on Emre. But the Turkish international had the final say when he curled in a cracking set-piece. Steven Carr was lucky not to see red after he was booked in the second half, having escaped a caution in the first - which was given mistakenly to Scott Parker.

After the break Given somehow pushed Elliott's low shot around the post, while Davis saved Steven Taylor's header from point-blank range, having already thwarted Ameobi in the first half. Sunderland almost equalised for a third time when Anthony le Tallec flicked on a header and Elliott lobbed Given. Everyone at St James' Park turned to watch and the black and whites were relieved when the ball crashed back off the bar. Final score Newcastle 3-2 Sunderland.

I watched the game today and I have to say the seven minutes in which the first four goals were scored I will never forget. The game was exciting for a netural but it must of been the most nerve rackign game for the fans of both Sunderland and Newcastle. Graeme Souness is a lucky man tonight because if he had of lost the game today I think he would have been sacked. The win for Newcastle lifts them to 11th whilst the defeat for Sunderland keeps them in 19th.