Murphy fires up St James' on derby day as bragging rights go to Magpies

TWO-GOAL SUPER SUB HELPS TO SEAL VICTORY ON ROUSING AFTERNOON

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NEWCASTLE United women ran out 3-1 winners to clinch an enthralling Tyne-Wear derby win at St James Park.

It took a while to warm up after a goalless first half but the match exploded into life as Eleanor Dale missed a penalty before Emily Murphy's double helped seal a superb victory in front of impressed Toon chiefs.

A crowd of 18,972 was in fine voice as the game lived up to its pre-match billing.

The Lasses went into this clash in mixed form and a just off the pace in terms of the promotion race in Barclays Women's Super League 2.

But while the crowd was half the size of the corresponding fixture last term, few at St James' Park needed reminding that local pride came before anything on derby day.

Sunderland won the toss and elected to turn Newcastle around with the Magpies shooting towards the Gallowgate End with the slope first half.

After splashing out over the summer and signing former England star Jordan Nobbs - the powers that be decided for a change in the dugout with Becky Langley departing and replaced by former Durham coach Claire Ditchburn.