Newcastle 2
Owen 4,45(pen)
Sunderland 0
Newcastle 2 Sunderland 0 April 20 2008
Michael Owen claimed a derby day double to increase Sunderland's woes as the Black Cats were beaten by Newcastle at St James' Park.
Newcastle's greater quality in the final third ultimately won the day and extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six games.
Owen put the hosts into the lead after only four minutes, getting on the end of Geremi's cross to head past Craig Gordon in the Black Cats goal.
Roy Keane would have been happy to get his side in at the break with only a one-goal deficit but Danny Higinbottom's handball inside the box gave Newcastle the chance to double their lead seconds before the break.
Owen stepped up and fired home the penalty despite Gordon getting a hand to the ball.
The win ensures the home side's safety whilst Sunderland remain five points above the drop zone with three games left to play.