AND at the end of arguably the most bitter and fiercely contested derby in the world, it was the Newcastle fans who went home happy after what can only be described as a comprehensive rout.

Blue, and green and white supporters on the banks of Clyde in Glasgow may disagree but, as knowledgeable Geordies and Mackems will remind them, the Old Firm’s political feud is not as old as their dispute which goes back to English Civil War.

Any fan who admits they enjoy these affairs are either liars or masochists.

If Sunderland and Newcastle supporters were offered two draws before the start of a new season, on a whole, they would gladly accept it.

Unfortunately the Premier League hierarchy don’t offer such gift horses and instead supporters on both sides are generally put through 90 minutes of sheer torture and frustration by their respective teams in an intense swirling cauldron of hatred and vitriol.

Yesterday, however, it is fair to say it was the visiting supporters who suffered more from those emotions than their hosts.

It was difficult to predict where the game would have been won and lost in the early stages, but it was Steve Bruce’s side who edged the opening 20 minutes. But soon after that promising spell Chris Hughton’s outfit began to take control and exert home advantage roared on by almost 50,000 fanatics.

Nolan, understandably, will take all the plaudits for netting a first hat-trick between the sides since Peter Beardsley in 1985, while Shola Ameobi also deserves credit for his brace.

Only Jackie Milburn has netted more Tyne and Wear derby goals for the club.

But if Nolan and Ameobi were the executioners then Joey Barton was the architect of the triumph.

Not for the first time this term the former Manchester City man grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and dictated the pace of the game producing an absolute masterclass of midfield play in the United engine room.

In the past he would have been caught up in the occasion, as Lee Cattermole certainly was.

But unlike Cattermole, who was intent on being sent off, Barton was arguably the coolest man on the pitch.

Sunderland have some talented midfielders themselves, none more than Jordan Henderson, who will become a better player for the game. Not because he performed well, he didn’t, but he will be better for the experience.

But the game was won in the centre of the park by Newcastle and on the day noone in the Black Cats’ line up came close to the cunning, guile and experience offered by Barton, Nolan, Jonas Gutierrez and Cheik Tiote. It was the same in the battle between defence and attack.

Titus Bramble was possibly the pick of the visitors’ defence but it was no surprise to see him walk after a rash challenge on Andy Carroll, while the hosts’ back four were hardly tested by the Black Cats who asked Darren Bent to plough a lone furrow with little in the way of service.

The importance of the game seemed lost on Bruce’s side, although Steed Malbranque did offer some tenacity in the opening exchanges. That aside there was little to suggest on this performance the Wearsiders had lost only once, before this encounter, this term.

The victory was also a much-needed one for Hughton who had been under intense pressure prior to the fixture.

Hopefully his management skills will be finally recognised and rewarded by the offer of a new contract.