Craig Gordon has needed no reminder of the chance he has to write himself into Sunderland folklore in the run-up to Sunday's derby clash with Newcastle.

Every day as he prepares for training, the 25-year-old goalkeeper finds himself face-to-face with a photograph commemorating a day which is still celebrated on Wearside as one of the best in the club's recent history.

On November 18 2000, Sunderland were leading 2-1 at St James' Park, where they had famously won by the same score the previous season, with just minutes remaining when Newcastle were awarded a potentially face-saving penalty.

Magpies legend Alan Shearer stepped up at the Gallowgate End to confront Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen with few inside the stadium expecting anything other than an equalising goal.

But Sorensen thought differently and managed to keep out Shearer's spot-kick to ensure himself a place in the club's history and absolve him of any responsibility to pay for a drink anywhere in the city. "I am well aware of that one. That would be nice.

"I have not managed to save a penalty yet this season, so if it was to come at St James', there would be no better place."