Solano takes points for Newcastle

Sunderland 0, Newcastle 1

Nolberto Solano condemned Sunderland to a 13th successive Premiership defeat from the penalty spot as Newcastle re-ignited their Champions League challenge.

The Peruvian struck on 43 minutes after Kevin Kilbane had brought down Craig Bellamy to settle a tight 124th league encounter between the Wear-Tyne derby rivals in which Kevin Kyle had an injury time strike ruled out for a foul.

The bookings continued as first Caldwell and then Dyer fell foul of Mr Bennett, but the latter had a lucky escape when the free-kick he conceded for a trip on Arca was played quickly to Michael Proctor and he headed into the box before shooting straight at Given.

Bobby Robson moved to shore things up with 18 minutes remaining when he replaced Viana with Bernard, and that added steel was necessary as the Black Cats made one final push.

Ameobi tested Sorensen with a well-struck right-foot shot on 79 minutes, but Given had to match him at the other end two minutes later to keep out Sean Thornton’s dipping free-kick.

Given was scuttling across his goal once again with six minutes remaining as another Thornton free-kick dropped just wide, and the game entered a tense final phase with Tore Andre Flo having replaced Arca with McCarthy going for broke.

Bellamy should have sealed victory on 87 minutes after Ameobi got away from Craddock, but Sorensen was once again equal to the task.

Kyle thought he had levelled in injury time, but Mr Bennett blew for a foul by Flo on Given, to the great relief of the men in black and white.