DANNY SIMPSON and James McClean nearly settled it in the boxing ring after sparking a 21-man Tyne-Wear derby brawl.
And the ex-Sunderland and Newcastle star predicts more knockout action when his old clubs collide on Sunday.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies travel to Wearside for a first Premier League clash with their bitter rivals since 2016.
The 38-year-old Simpson is a rare breed when it comes to the derby having had a foot in both camps.
He helped Sunderland to win promotion while on loan from Manchester United in 2007 but would go on to cut his teeth in the top-flight 12 miles up the road at St James’ Park.
Simpson signed permanently for the Mags after impressing on loan – playing 138 times, including five derby appearances. In the first he helped dish out a 5–1 thumping on his old pals and would remain undefeated in the following four encounters.
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However, his most famous moment in the fixture came in 2012 when his reaction to a naughty challenge from then-Sunderland winger McClean in front of the Gallowgate led to chaos erupting between both sets of players.
Lee Cattermole and Stephane Sessegnon were later sent-off as Sunderland ended the 1-1 draw with nine men while both teams also had coaching staff red carded following numerous confrontations between the respective benches, resulting in the FA dishing out fines to each team.
Simpson, who went on to be part of Leicester City’s miraculous 2016 title win, still gets goosebumps thinking back to that day.
And even though he managed to dodge a settler with McClean in the ring, he expects current captains Granit Xhaka and Bruno Guimaraes to be the first ones knocking lumps out of each other at the Stadium of Light.
Speaking exclusively to Sun Sport via Dream Vegas, he said: “Me and James McClean, I’ll never forget that. We used to have good battles.
“We actually joked not long ago about having a boxing fight, but he’s actually really good at boxing!
“I’d fancy Xhaka and Bruno getting a card, and Joelinton too. That’ll be a great battle in the middle, actually.
“Xhaka will help the Sunderland players understand what it means. That’ll be a really good battle in the middle of the park. Players that wear their heart on their sleeve, they’re not shy of making a tackle.
“As a player, you can’t help but get into it all, into the 50/50 tackles. Once you’re in it, you understand how much it means to the fans.
“The game has changed, and you can’t do that as much now. The ref’s got to be on it and understand the game and not just go mad with yellows and reds because it can ruin it.
“But it’s not just the game, it’s the whole build-up through the week. It means so much. You can’t believe how many families have got both Geordies and Mackems in them… boyfriends, girlfriends, aunties, uncles.
“It’s a strange feeling and the day itself is like a cup final. Luckily I never lost one, I only ever experienced the good side of it and for the week after, the fans love you. If you win those two games then that lives with them forever.”
Since their last top-flight meeting ended in a draw nine-and-a-half years ago, both clubs have enjoyed rollercoaster rides.
Newcastle’s Mike Ashley misery finally ended with the Saudi takeover, and they have gone on to qualify for the Champions League twice and lift the Carabao Cup.
Sunderland tumbled all the way to League One before bouncing back to make their return to the big time via the Championship play-offs.
But even though he wants the Mags to win, Simpson says Sunderland, who head into it a point ahead of the enemy in the table, are the favourites.
He said: “I do look out more for Newcastle’s results than Sunderland’s. I spent four years there, my most appearances are for them and it’s where I felt I came of age in my career, so I’m definitely more of a Newcastle fan, even though I played for both.
“Weirdly, Newcastle will be underdogs, Sunderland are definitely the favourites.
“Newcastle are doing well in Europe, but they’re finding it tough in the league. Getting that balance is difficult.
“Sunderland are just focused on the Premier League and enjoying it. They have surprised everybody, especially signing 14 players. Normally that’s a risk, trying to gel that many players quickly into a squad that’s been promoted. But the recruitment has been done really well and they are the favourites.”
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