Newcastle’s first derby win of the season is Taylor-made

Ryan Taylor wrote his name into Geordie folklore by firing Newcastle to derby victory at Sunderland.

The full-back, who played for Steve Bruce at Wigan, curled home a superb 62nd-minute free-kick to win a hard-fought contest which the home side dominated for long periods, but failed to take their chances.

Bruce is yet to taste derby victory in three attempts and Sunderland have now won just once on home soil against their neighbours in 31 years.

Having weathered an early storm which saw them pinned deep inside their own half for long periods, the Magpies won a left-wing corner which Yohan Cabaye delivered to the far post.

Shola Ameobi, who went into the game with six derby goals to his name, met the ball with a firm header which Joey Barton helped on towards the top corner.

But as he prepared to celebrate, Sebastian Larsson threw out an arm and blocked the ball, sparking a mass protest from the men in black and white.

Referee Howard Webb consulted his assistant, but then awarded only a corner, much to the horror of the visitors and the relief of their counterparts in red and white.

Having enjoyed a major slice of fortune – Larsson would surely have been sent off had the penalty been awarded – the Black Cats resumed their efforts to atone for their derby no-shows last season.

Benin international Stephane Sessegnon was proving a thorn in Newcastle’s side and having failed to hit the target on a couple of occasions, forced a fingertip save from Krul with nine minutes gone and a second diving stop eight minutes before the break. Newcastle continued to look dangerous from set-pieces and Mignolet had to pull off a fine 32nd-minute save to keep out Cabaye’s swerving, dipping shot from distance.

But Newcastle did take the lead in the second half after Jonas Gutierrez had been tripped by Lee Cattermole. Ryan Taylor curled the resulting free-kick high over the stranded Simon Mignolet and into the top corner to spark delirious celebrations on and off the pitch.

Phil Bardsley was sent off for a second bookable offence in the final minute to cap a miserable afternoon for his side.