The most anticipated fixture of the FA Cup third round is on the horizon as Sunderland host Newcastle at the Stadium of Light.

The North East rivals have not met since 2016, when they played out a 1-1 draw in a Premier League match at St James' Park. 

Since then, Sunderland have dropped down to League One and then bounced back into the Championship, while Newcastle have become one of the richest clubs in the world. 

Ahead of this eagerly-awaited clash on Tyne and Wear, we take a look back at the most memorable derby moments. 

6. Shearer scores final goal

Alan Shearer was due to retire at the end of the 2005-06 season, only for his career to come to a premature end away at Sunderland. 

A coming together with Julio Arca saw the legendary striker pick up a serious knee injury that would prevent him from playing again.

Naturally, Shearer had already found the net in the match. Newcastle came from behind to win 4-1, with their record scorer notching his 206th goal with a blistering penalty. 

5. Sunderland win play-off clash

The Magpies finished third in the old Second Division back in 1989-90, missing out on automatic promotion and setting up a play-off semi-final against their rivals.

With the Black Cats missing a penalty in a goalless draw in the first-leg at Roker Park, it was Newcastle that were expected to progress. 

Instead, goals from Eric Gates and Marco Gabbiadini at St James' Park gave Sunderland a famous 2-0 victory and sent them through to the play-off final. 

4. Beardsley's hat-trick

Peter Beardsley was the star of the show when Newcastle faced Sunderland on New Year’s Day in the 1984-85 season. 

The tricky forward became only the second Magpie to score a hat-trick in this fixture in a 3-1 win, starting off by cooly opening the scoring with a perfect finish from outside the area. 

Beardsley then scored a second-half penalty, before having a spot kick saved by Chris Turner. Yet he would not be denied a third goal as he slotted home inside the area. 

3. Black Cats end 28 years of hurt

In 2008-09, Sunderland were looking for their first home derby win in 28 years. 

Djibril Cisse gave the hosts a lead in the first-half, only for Shola Ameobi to quickly reply for Newcastle. 

A free-kick from 18-yards out was converted by Kieran Richardson to end Sunderland's long wait for a win. It was one of the finest moments of Roy Keane's reign as manager. 

2. Keegan halts Roker run

Back in the 1992-93 season, it was Newcastle who were searching for an overdue win on enemy grounds. 

They had not tasted victory at Roker Park for 36 years but had reason to be confident after winning each of their first 12 games of the season. 

With the score 1-1 and only 14 minutes remaining, it looked like Newcastle would have to wait for that elusive win, until Liam O'Brien's unstoppable free-kick gave Kevin Keegan's team a famous victory. 

1. Gullit drops Shearer

 If you really want to play with fire as a Newcastle manager, you leave a club legend on the bench in a crucial home derby. 

That is just what Ruud Gullit did in August 1999, when he dropped Shearer and replaced him with boyhood Sunderland fan Paul Robinson. 

Though Newcastle would take the lead, the visitors fought back to win 2-1, with goals from Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips. Gullit resigned three days later.