City pick up mamimum points at the Stadium of Light

Michael Chopra, the striker who's fast making the legend of Earnshaw become a distant memory, stole in on 4 mins to silence the home crowd. They might have had cause to celebrate after Sunderland levelled but Chopra ghosted* in to smack the ball home to win the game with a carbon copy second.

Chopra, a Geordie through and through, said before the game

"It would mean so much to me to score against Sunderland."

Chopra now has 10 goals this campaign in 14 starts. Quite an achievement.

Chopra's only league goal for Newcastle came at The Stadium of Light last season. Newcastle were goal down, Chopra's effort drew them level seconds after he came on the pitch, Newcastle went on to win 4 - 1.

Chopra was denied a hat trick last night when a goal was disallowed soon after half time.

Neil Alexander produced some saves of quality in the second half to ensure the victory. Steve Thompson missed the second half with an achillies injury that looks set to rule him out for a few weeks.

City stay 4 points clear at the top of the table and next face Colchester at Layer Rd.

*Ghosted - Well it was Halloween.