The final score was 0-1 to Newcastle United

Most of the arrests were made on Wearside for anti-social behaviour.

Northumbria Police had a massive presence at the Stadium of Light and in the city centre before, during and after the game which Newcastle won 0-1.

Officers said they were taking no chances after the violence which marred the England-Turkey at the Sunderland ground a few weeks ago.

Tension mounted when Newcastle fans were bussed to the ground and, at one point, officers struggled to keep rival groups of supporters apart at the Wearmouth Bridge.

After the final whistle, there was a 15-minute stand-off between the police and Sunderland fans.

Team rivalry

Mounted police charged at the supporters, dispersing them away from the stadium.

Northumbria Police said most of the 49 arrests were made inside the ground.

The police have blamed the rivalry between the two sides for the arrests, rather than the usual match day drunkenness.

Superintendent Paul Weir: "I think it was the frustration and the animosity between the two sets of supporters boiled over because of the flow of the game.

"I think people who normally wouldn't swear or make abusive gestures towards their opposite numbers have decided to do that today.

"Unfortunately, it has been observed by police who have arrested them."