Former Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas has spoken about the intensity of the Tyne-Wear derby.
Jenas spent three-and-a-half seasons at St James’ Park and was part of Sir Bobby Robson’s side that twice qualified for the Champions League.
The former England international was part of a Newcastle side who beat the Black Cats three times in succession across 2002 and 2003 and he dubbed the fixture as one of the ‘craziest derbies to ever be involved in’.
The 35-year-old was working as a pundit on BT Sport’s Premier League Tonight and when discussing derby matches with former England defenders Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown.
Jenas played in the North London derby during his time at Tottenham but described the Tyne-Wear derby as ‘absolutely unbelievable’.
“Big city derbies - they’re great, don’t get me wrong. Tottenham vs Arsenal, City vs United,” Jenas said.
“But in a way, the Newcastle vs Sunderland derby I used to play in - it was so intense.
“The concentration of people in that area of the country that are either black-and-white or red-and-white - it is one of the craziest derbies to ever be involved in.
“Anywhere you go, everyone is talking about that derby. It is absolutely unbelievable.”