Shola Ameobi is a Newcastle United legend and will forever be known as the ‘Mackem Slayer’ by fans, but how did he earn the nickname?
Newcastle United will renew hostilities with their fiercest rivals, Sunderland, in the 2025-26 season after the Black Cats earned promotion to the Premier League through the Play-offs.
It’ll be the first Tyne-Wear derby in the top flight since 2016, with Newcastle not being victorious since 2011.
Eddie Howe’s side did defeat Sunderland in the FA Cup in 2024, but the Mackems have won six and drawn three in the last nine league meetings.
Ryan Taylor’s decisive strike earned Newcastle’s last win against their rivals, but you have to go back to 2010 for the last time the Magpies truly put Sunderland to the sword by winning 5-1.
On the score sheet twice that day, earning himself the nickname ‘Mackem Slayer’, was Shola Ameobi.
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Shola Ameobi goals in the Tyne-Wear derby
Ameobi was at the double in the victory, Newcastle’s biggest win over Sunderland this side of the Moon Landing.
Kevin Nolan also etched his name into the history books by netting a hat-trick, but Ameobi remains the bigger legend in the mind of fans.
The brace wasn’t his only goals against Sunderland; in fact, he scored more against The Black Cats than any other side throughout his long career.
Ameobi scored seven times in the Tyne-Wear derby and picked up three assists.
The now 43-year-old also scored four times against Middlesbrough in another nod to his dominance in North Eastern rivalries.
Here’s when his goals against Sunderland came.
Ameobi’s goals vs Sunderland
- 23-10-2005 – Newcastle 3-2 Sunderland – St. James’ Park – Two goals in the 33rd and 37th minutes.
- 25-10-2008 – Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle – Stadium of Light – One goal in the 29th minute.
- 1-2-2009 – Newcastle 1-1 Sunderland – St. James’ Park – One goal in the 67th minute.
- 31-10-2010 – Newcastle 5-1 Sunderland – St. James’ Park – Two goals in the 45th and 70th minutes.
- 4-3-2012 – Newcastle 1-1 Sunderland – St. James’ Park – One goal to equalise in the 91st minute.
Could Alexander Isak become Newcastle’s top scorer vs Sunderland?
Though prolific, Ameobi is not close to being Newcastle’s top scorer against Sunderland.
That honour is still held by the legendary Jackie Milburn, who scored 11 goals against the Mackems to further cement his legacy as Newcastle’s greatest ever player.
However, Sunderland claim the top scorer in the fixture, with George Holley netting 15 times.
Given that the derby has hardly been played in the last decade, there’s little chance that record will be broken anytime soon, but Alexander Isak might get closest.
The star striker scored a brace when Newcastle and Sunderland met in the FA Cup, which puts him on two goals in the derby ahead of two guaranteed meetings next season.
If Isak stays at Newcastle and keeps his sensational form up, he could at least get close to challenging Ameobi’s spot in the table.
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