Could be end of road for Shearer

Sunderland 1 Newcastle United 4

The 35-year-old had fired his side ahead with a 61st-minute penalty, his 206th goal for the club, when he was hurt in a challenge with substitute Julio Arca. He tried to play on, but limped from the pitch at the Stadium of Light to be replaced by Albert Luque with 19 minutes remaining.

Caretaker manager Glenn Roeder later admitted there is real concern Shearer might not play in the remaining three Premiership fixtures of his final season, which will be followed by his testimonial on May 11.