Sunderland matchwinner Adam Johnson was delighted with his injury-time goal in victory at Newcastle United. Johnson, who scored in the two previous 3-0 wins over the Magpies at St James' Park, struck in the 90th minute to settle a rip-roaring encounter which might have gone either way until his intervention.

"Three years in a row - they must hate me here, but I'm delighted," Johnson told Sky Sports 1.

"Three wins here and three clean sheets. We can't ask for much more.

"I was a bit disappointed as I should have scored earlier on so if I had missed that one I would have been gutted tonight. I took my time and set myself and thankfully it went in."

Johnson revealed that despite the huge Tyne-Wear rivalry, St James' Park is one of his favourite grounds.

"It's a personal favourite of mine to be honest. It's a great ground, great atmosphere and we all seem to rise to the occasion here," the 27-year-old said.

"(The win) is massive for us. It gives us a great boost and it's been coming in recent weeks and we did well but today was the end of some hard work."