Twenty nine football supporters have been arrested and four police officers have been injured following hooliganism during and after today’s Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland.

Bottles were thrown and garbage cans were set ablaze after police officers tried to escort the Newcastle supporters back to the city center. One Newcastle United hooligan tried to fight a police officer on a horse (see video below).

Of the four police officers injured, none of the injuries were serious.

According to Northumbria Police, “Following the match there were a series of sporadic incidents of disorder in Newcastle city centre involving what appear to be Newcastle United supporters. The most serious incident involved a group of Newcastle fans in Central Station attempting to confront Sunderland supporters, but they were intercepted by officers from British Transport Police. During this incident missiles were thrown at the officers, which resulted in three injuries to officers, one of them requiring assessment at hospital. In total 29 people were arrested throughout the day, in the main for public order type offences.”

It’s been a disgraceful weekend in English football — one of the worst in recent memory. First, there were the disrespectful banners and chants by Liverpool supporters at Reading. Second, there were the scenes of Millwall supporters fighting police and fellow fans at Wembley. Third, there was the pitch invasion by Portsmouth supporters at Brentford. And now this, Newcastle United supporters causing trouble after the Tyne-Wear derby.

Sunderland’s 3-0 victory against Newcastle was the first win by the Black Cats at St James’s Park in 13 years.