Top 5 Newcastle United F.C. Biggest Rivals

Newcastle United Football Club nicknamed “The Magpies” is a professional football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The Magpies have competed in the top flight for 91 seasons, ranking eighth in the all-time Premier League table.

And they’ve won a total of 11 major honors, placing them ninth among English clubs. Jimmy Lawrence holds the record for the most appearances with 496, while Alan Shearer is the top goalscorer with 206 goals.

Andy Cole set the record for most goals in a season with 41 during the 1993–94 Premier League season. Shay Given holds the record for most international appearances for the club with 134 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

The club’s biggest margin was a 13–0 win against Newport County in 1946, while their heaviest defeat was a 9–0 loss to Burton Wanderers in 1895.

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Who Are Newcastle United’s Biggest Rivals?

1. Sunderland

Newcastle United’s biggest and main rival is Sunderland. The encounter between these two teams is best known as the “Tyne–Wear Derby” or the North East Derby. It is a fiercely contested local rivalry.

The derby has a rich history dating back to 1883, with the first competitive fixture being an FA Cup tie in 1888, which Sunderland won 2–0 over Newcastle East End.

And, they have played each other 157 times (excluding friendlies), with Newcastle just ahead by one win. But the rivalry grew beyond football, tracing back to historical events like the English Civil War and the Jacobite risings which reflected a longstanding regional competition.

Sunderland and Newcastle found themselves on opposing sides during these conflicts. I read about Sunderland’s memorable 9–1 victory at St James’ Park in 1908 which remains a historic moment in the derby’s history. Similarly, Newcastle’s emphatic 6–1 wins in 1920 and 1955 were dominant displays of football skills.

Sunderland’s playoff victory in 1990, was dubbed ‘the biggest Tyne–Wear derby in history.’. Likewise, Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit’s controversial decision to bench key players in 1999 resulted in a 2–1 victory for Sunderland.

Despite Sunderland’s relegation to the third tier in 2018, the rivalry stays as fierce as ever. Even the 2024 FA Cup clash, which saw Newcastle secure a 3–0 away win, was their first victory at Sunderland’s ground since 2011.

2. Middlesbrough

Another of Newcastle United’s main rivals is Middlesbrough, with their matches forming the intense Tyne-Tees derby. Some fans don’t consider Middlesbrough to be a challenge for Newcastle, but looking back at history, they used to be a fierce rival.

Despite being in different counties, there’s a mere 42-mile distance between them. The fixture increased rapidly in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

During this time, both Newcastle United and Middlesbrough were Premier League teams, making their clashes the only all-North-East games of the season.

Excitement and anticipation surrounded their encounters, especially since Sunderland, another regional rival, was largely outside the top flight during this time. However, both teams shared notable success during this era.

Newcastle United was a regular contender in the Premier League, even qualifying for the Champions League and challenging for the league title.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough boasted an array of high-profile players, including Juninho, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and Mark Viduka.

Middlesbrough’s achievements included reaching five major cup finals between 1997 and 2006, including the 2006 UEFA Cup Final, and securing the League Cup in 2004.

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3. Liverpool

31% of the Magpies supporters voted Liverpool as one of their biggest rivals In the Premier League And looking back in history, particularly noticeable in the electrifying Premier League clashes of the 1990s.

Despite the considerable geographical distance between the two clubs, the emotional support from both fans ensures a fiery atmosphere whenever they meet on the pitch. Their games have produced unforgettable moments like the back-to-back 4-3 victories for Liverpool in the ’90s.

You can also tell that Newcastle’s resurgence has injected fresh excitement into the rivalry, promising to reignite the competitive spirit that has long defined their encounters.

I could remember when Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique departed Newcastle for Liverpool quickly. Their return to St. James’ Park was much expected and lived up to expectations.

The atmosphere was electric when Carroll was substituted early in the game, and Enrique unexpectedly found himself between the goalposts.

It was a memorable moment that reverberated with fans throughout the Premier League season. The passionate support from fanbases, the Toon Army, and the Kop further intensifies this rivalry.

4. West Ham United

One of Newcastle United’s biggest rivals is West Ham United, with whom they share a historic and often intense rivalry that dates back to their first encounter in 1908.

This rivalry has seen many notable matches over the years, leaving a lasting impression on the fans. In 1986, Newcastle secured a 4-0 victory at Gallowgate.

This win lifted them from the bottom of Division I and was a strong revival that helped them avoid relegation. However, In an unusual match in east London, Newcastle suffered an 8-1 defeat against West Ham.

But what made this defeat particularly remarkable was the fact that three different Newcastle goalkeepers had to take the field due to injuries.

In 1980, their rivalry took a turn during a heated match at St James’ Park. This match was tainted by an incident where a petrol bomb was thrown inside the stadium.

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5. Manchester United

Newcastle United Football Club shares a storied rivalry with Manchester United, one of the Premier League’s giants. Historically, Manchester United has enjoyed success, while Newcastle is often in their shadow.

However, recent years have seen Newcastle restored with new owners and fantastic players. These changes promise exciting encounters reminiscent of the fierce battles witnessed in the 1990s.

In the late 19th century, these two clubs engaged in intense clashes. While Manchester United has historically had an advantage, Newcastle has shown resilience, refusing to back down.

Which Team Has Newcastle Beaten The Most?

​Newcastle United has a notable record against different teams, but the team they’ve beaten the most is Leicester City. In their encounters, Newcastle has emerged victorious in 14 out of 32 matches.

While facing Liverpool, Newcastle has won 11 times out of 58 matches. However, Newcastle still needs to secure a win against Luton Town in their two encounters.

Against Manchester City, Newcastle has claimed 8 victories out of 48 matches. These statistics highlight the variable degrees of success Newcastle has experienced against different opponents throughout its history.

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Who Is The Youngest Player To Score For Newcastle United?

Lewis Miley holds the record as the youngest player to score for Newcastle United in a 3-0 win against Fulham. At the age of 17 years and 229 days, he made history with his goal-scoring feat.

This achievement also makes him the youngest scorer in the Premier League since Federico Macheda, who scored for Manchester United in April 2009 at 17 years and 226 days old.

Miley’s career with Newcastle began when he joined their academy at the age of seven. In 2022, he made his first-team debut in a friendly against Al Hilal. Miley received the Jack Hixon Award for most promising youngster in November 2022.

However, his breakthrough moment was in February 2023 when he came on as a substitute in a Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth.

In May 2023, Miley signed his first professional contract with Newcastle United. The following year, he made history, becoming the club’s youngest Premier League player coming on as a substitute against Chelsea.

In September 2023, he started his first competitive game for Newcastle United in a win against Manchester City in the EFL Cup. Miley is Newcastle United’s youngest player to feature in European competitions, breaking Adam Campbell’s previous record.

Miley’s memorable moments continued as he provided assists and scored his first Premier League goal against Chelsea, making him the youngest player to do so for Newcastle United.