Shola Ameobi’s header from Geremi’s fine free-kick drew Joe Kinnear’s men level before the break.

But Richardson crashed home the winner with a ferocious 18-yard strike after Nicky Butt fouled El-Hadji Diouf.
The Magpies could not match their hosts for most of a fiery match played in battering wind. But the Black Cats started and finished strongly, created the better chances and no one could argue with the quality of Richardson’s winner six minutes from time.

Having shown commendable fighting spirit to come back to salvage 2-2 draws from their last two games, Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear was desperate not to see his struggling side fall behind again.
But they did not heed the warning and once again started slowly, finding themselves a goal down after 20 minutes.