After Sunderland drew 2-2 at Ipswich, it looks increasingly likely that Newcastle's players will be seeing a lot more of their North-Eastern rivals next season, writes Scott Wilson.
But, for a split second yesterday, the two groups of footballers came almost too close for comfort.
The flight carrying the Newcastle squad back from their FA Cup semi-final defeat in Cardiff was forced to change its flight-path as it approached Newcastle Airport in order to avoid another incoming flight from Gatwick.
The two planes touched down within seconds of each other and, less than a minute later, Sunderland's players were also heading for the arrivals lounge after landing from London.
As a crowd of onlookers watched in amazement, the two groups of players headed towards baggage reclaim before going their separate ways.
Their close proximity caused something of a problem though. After everything that had happened at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, most of the Newcastle fans in the airport seemed uncertain as to who to boo first.
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