Sunderland’s Johnson’s special Christmas after Newcastle win

Adam Johnson turns away to celebrate after scoring for Sunderland against Newcastle. Picture by FRANK REID

Johnson’s last-minute winner secured a record fourth successive victory over Newcastle United at St James’s Park yesterday, as Sunderland emerged triumphant in an absorbing Tyne-Wear derby tussle.

The Easington-born winger has proved to be Newcastle’s nemesis over the last three years after netting in each of Sunderland’s three straight victories on Tyneside.

But Johnson says yesterday’s winner may top the lot, as Gus Poyet’s men ended their pattern of draws to secure their place in derby folklore just four days before Christmas.

Johnson said: “It’s great to win four-in-a-row.

“I’ve done well at St James’s in recent years and yesterday was a great highlight.

“Whatever happens now, we’re in the history books as the team who did it.

“I’m not sure how many more times that will happen four times in a row.

“We’ve given the fans something to make their Christmas even more special!

“It’s been coming I think.

“We’ve played quite well in games, but just don’t seem to have won them or struggled to score goals.

“But you only need one and we did that yesterday.”