Tyne v Wear - 1966/67

United made an even worse start than in the previous season and when Sunderland came visiting they were in 17th place. They had won only three times in fourteen league and cup games and had been thrashed 6-0 by bottom of the table Blackpool a week earlier

Sunderland were in an even worse state (21st); they too had only won three times and had lost four and drawn two on their travels.

Wyn Davies had finally been captured from Bolton and on Tyneside hopes were high that they had at last got the target man that they needed to turn the side around.

But this was no fairytale debut as Sunderland coasted to a 3-0 victory. United's worst derby defeat at SJP for fifty years.

Sunderland played simple but effective football while United - targetman on board - lobbed balls up nore or less indiscriminantly in the general direction of Davies.

Sunderland opened the scoring after only seven minutes when United keeper Hollins watched a Mulhall shot/cross go past him and nestle in the side netting.

The second arrived just before half-time, Martin heading home unchallenged as the "Newcastle defence might (as well) have been lamp posts"

The Wearsiders coasted through the second half and with ten minutes left O'Hare side footed home from a Mullhall cross.

Davies battled on bravely, he even got the ball in the net, but he was yards offside. The worst thing was United's lack of fight. The Sunday Sun described it as "a bloodless derby with no more needle than you would expect to find in normal league warfare".

The match virtually ended the careers of McGarry (three more starts) and Thompson (one more start) who both were dropped after the game.

By the time of the return five months later things had not improved. Newcastle were 21st and had lost seven off their last ten games and had lost 5-1 in their last away game at Fulham. In contrast Sunderland had hit a rich vein of form and were unbeaten in their last seven games; they were 15th.

There were a number of changes to the United line-up with new signings McNamee, Elliot (against his old club) and Tommy Robson all playing. Marshall and Craid had returned after injury and Moncur replaced Iley who had been sensationally dropped for the previous game.

Sunderland who were unbeaten in their last seven games had climbed to 15th largely as a result of their home form where they had won eight out of fourteen.

It was a desperately poor game with United adopting defensive and often crude tactics in an attempt to get something out of the game. For almost an hour it worked as Sunderland's silky football came to nought against United's rearguard action.

But in the 56th minute the Wearsider's jeers turned to cheers when McNamee played an overhead back-pass which was intercepted by Kerr and headed in.

United had nothing to give and almost constant attacking by the homesters led to further goals from Kerr (74th) and Mullhall (88th)

McGarry never played for the club again.