POLICE have praised the vast majority of fans following yesterday's derby between Sunderland and Newcastle United.

Officers said they arrested 25 people, mainly for drunkenness and fighting, but the majority of supporters at Sunderland's Stadium of Light caused no problems.

Match commander Paul Weir, of Sunderland police, said: "Generally speaking, the crowd was very well behaved and I would like to thank the fans for their good behaviour.

"They enjoyed the action on the pitch, and it was only a small minority who could not behave themselves and they have been arrested."