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Ryan Taylor scored a cracker against Sunderland in 2011

Where are they now? The last Newcastle XI to beat Sunderland in 2011

Ben Stewart •

Newcastle are set to face Sunderland in the FA Cup this weekend and we thought we’d check in on where the last Toon XI to win the Tyne-Wear derby are today.

As a result of being in different leagues, these two sides haven’t faced each other much in recent times. However, Sunderland have held the bragging rights of late as they are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with their arch-rivals.

Newcastle’s last triumph against Sunderland came all the way back in August 2011 as Ryan Taylor made the difference in a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.

We’ve gone back and scrolled through the archives and have checked out what those players in the Newcastle XI are up to these days.

GK: Tim Krul

Aged 35, the former Newcastle shot-stopper is still going in the Premier League today. Following a five-year stint with Norwich City, Krul made the move to Premier League newcomers Luton Town in the summer.

The experienced goalkeeper has acted as backup to the impressive Thomas Kaminski at Kenilworth Road, but he has been handed some opportunities in the cup competitions.

RB: Danny Simpson

Simpson undoubtedly spent his best years with Leicester City where he managed to get his hands on the Premier League trophy back in 2016.

Since leaving Leicester, the 37-year-old full-back has slipped down the football ladder and now plays for Northern Premier League outfit Macclesfield.

CB: Fabricio Coloccini

After enjoying a successful playing career which spanned over 23 years, Coloccini hung up his boots in 2021, having spent his final years playing in Argentina.

The 41-year-old has since pursued a career in coaching and was most recently the Venezuela Under-20 manager. However, he left this role in March last year and is currently on the lookout for his next opportunity.

CB: Steven Taylor

After leaving Newcastle in 2016, Taylor enjoyed stints in the United States, India and Australia before finally hanging up his boots in 2021.

He’s since gone into management and has gained some experience in the United Arab Emirates. Taylor managed to guide UAE outfit Gulf United to back-to-back promotions before leaving the club in the summer.

LB: Ryan Taylor

Taylor made the difference against Sunderland in 2011 with a superbly struck free-kick from the left-hand side and the 39-year-old has continued to stay active in his later years by playing in non-league.

He most recently played for National League North outfit Buxton. Back in the day he sure knew how to hit a free-kick.

CM: Cheick Tiote

A true cult hero of the Mike Ashley era at Newcastle. Tiote racked up 156 appearances for the club throughout the seven years he spent in England.

The Ivory Coast midfielder delivered plenty of memorable moments along the way, including that thumping volley against Arsenal. After leaving Newcastle, he made the move to China before his untimely death in 2017.

CM: Joey Barton

Barton has tried his hand at football management since retiring but recently lost his job at Bristol Rovers following a two-and-a-half-year spell with the club.

Nowadays you can’t seem to escape him from popping up on your X timeline.

Joey Barton during his appearance on Question Time, a political programme produced by the BBC, in May 2014.

READ: Remembering Joey Barton’s car-crash appearance on Question Time

RM: Gabriel Obertan (Dan Gosling, ’85)

The French winger didn’t pull up many trees while at Newcastle, but he’s still playing today aged 34. Since 2021, Obertan has been playing in the United States for third-tier side Charlotte Independence.

Gosling is also still active today and after enjoying spells with Bournemouth and Watford, he now plays for League Two high-flyers Notts County.

CAM: Yohan Cabaye (Mike Williamson, ’85)

During his pomp at Newcastle, Cabaye was one hell of a player. The midfielder hung up his boots in 2021 following a short spell back in France with Saint-Etienne.

The 37-year-old still works in football today and now works as the assistant director of PSG’s youth academy.

In the case of Williamson, he’s ventured into coaching in his post-playing career. After doing a fine job with Gateshead, he landed the MK Dons job in October last year.

LM: Jonas Gutierrez

The Argentine midfielder called it quits on his playing days in 2021 after playing out his final years in Argentina. He has since started his coaching career and now manages Club Almagro who play in the Argentine second division.

That goal against West Ham will live long in the memory for Newcastle fans.

ST: Shola Ameobi

The Nigerian forward racked up 397 appearances for Newcastle during his 14-year stay with the club. He enjoyed a long playing career and shortly after retiring, he re-joined Newcastle as a loan player-manager.

Over the years, Ameobi played a total of 12 games against Sunderland and he managed to bag seven goals, a record which is only bettered by Jackie Milburn.

READ NEXT: 5 former Newcastle players who are currently thriving away from St James’ Park

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