POLICE have praised the majority of fans after a potentially volatile North-east football derby again passed off peacefully.

Almost 50,000 supporters witnessed Sunderland make history with a 1-0 victory over arch rivals Newcastle United, the Black Cats’ fifth successive derby win.

Before the match, concerns had been expressed that allowing such a highly-charged game to kick-off at 4pm on Easter Sunday could prove a recipe for disorder, but Northumbria Police said the game had been “passionate and peaceful”.

Although officers responded to “a small number of isolated incidents” with a total of 25 arrests, the majority of fans had behaved impeccably.

Chief superintendent Steve Neill said: “The vast majority of fans were great today: they represented themselves and their clubs impeccably and enjoyed the Wear Tyne derby for the great occasion that it is.

"The policing operation went well and I'd like to commend the professionalism of all those involved.

"A total of 25 arrests out of crowd of 50,000 is low and I'm pleased that the vast majority of fans who attended today were clearly there to enjoy the football and were not interested in causing trouble”.

An estimated 2,000 Newcastle fans travelled to the Stadium of Light by rail and another 1,100 on supporter coaches organised by The Magpies.

Of those arrested on the day, five were detained for entering the playing field at the end of the game.

Two men were arrested for breaching banning orders, three for affray, one for criminal damage, five for being drunk and disorderly, one for assault, one for breach of the peace, three for public order offences, two for possessing alcohol in a sports ground and two for possession of drugs.

Chf Supt Neill said: "I'd like to praise supporters from both clubs - they worked well with officers on the ground, were extremely patient and good natured and enjoyed the day in the best sprit.

“The holdback went very smoothly and supporters worked really well with police and stewards.

"Public safety is always our number one priority during any football match and the few people who chose to pose a threat to public safety were dealt with swiftly by police.”

Relations between the rival sets of supporters thawed this year after Sunderland fans put side tribal differences to join tributes to Newcastle fans killed in the MH-17 air disaster.

During today’s game, the Black Cats and Magpies once more shared a minute’s applause in memory of Liam Sweeney and John Alder.

On the field, a dour match was lit up by a first half wonder-strike by Jermain Defoe, which went a long way to easing the Black Cats’ relegation fears.