Newcastle United avoided another dose of derby despair as Shola Ameobi’s penalty rescued a 1-1 draw against local rivals Sunderland on Sunday.
Joe Kinnear’s side trailed to Djibril Cisse’s first-half strike at St James’ Park, but Ameobi lashed home a spot-kick deep into the second period to ensure Sunderland were denied a first league double over Newcastle for 42 years.
The result did little for either team’s hopes of pulling clear of the relegation battle. Newcastle are only a point above the drop zone, while Sunderland are just three points better off.
Cisse scuffed a long-range effort well wide with seven minutes gone as the visitors started brightly. Sunderland midfielder Kieran Richardson was also off target three minutes later with a raking drive.
Newcastle created their first opening when Ameobi, back after five matches out with a knee injury, forced Marton Fulop into his first save with a shot on the turn after Andy Carroll had headed down Nicky Butt’s free-kick.
The Black Cats almost went ahead with 20 minutes gone when Richardson’s free-kick evaded everyone and hit the post, with debutant Kevin Nolan clearing Kenwyne Jones’ follow-up off the line.
Carroll went closer when he hit the top of the crossbar with a header from Jose Enrique’s cross.
Cisse was causing the Newcastle defense all manner of problems with his pace and grabbed the opening goal in the 32nd minute.
Dean Whitehead’s through-ball sent Cisse sprinting clear of the Newcastle offside trap and, although Harper saved his first shot, the rebound fell kindly for the former Liverpool striker to poke into the empty net.
Newcastle emerged with renewed determination after halftime and Sunderland were creaking under Newcastle’s pressure when they suffered a significant blow when Cisse was forced off with an injury.
The hosts finally got their reward in the 69th minute. Taylor made a powerful burst into the penalty area and when he tumbled under Steed Malbranque’s challenge, referee Howard Webb pointed to the spot.
Ameobi blasted the penalty high to Fulop’s left as the goalkeeper went the wrong way.
English Premier League
Team P GD PTS
1 Man Utd 23 30 53
2 Liverpool 24 24 51
3 Chelsea 24 29 48
4 Aston Villa 24 14 48
5 Arsenal 24 13 43
6 Everton 24 3 37
7 Wigan 24 2 33
8 West Ham 24 0 33
9 Fulham 22 3 29
10 Man City 23 9 28
11 Hull 24 -15 28
12 Bolton 24 -7 27
13 Sunderland 24 -8 27
14 Tottenham 24 -5 24
15 Newcastle 24 -10 24
16 Portsmouth 23 -15 24
17 Stoke 24 -17 24
18 Blackburn 23 -11 23
19 Middlesbrough 24 -17 22
20 West Brom 24 -22 22
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