We’ll Meet Again filled the Wearside air, a pitiless response to Sunderland’s relegation and an unwitting ode to the most prolific striker in Newcastle’s history. A scan will determine the extent of the injury Shearer suffered in a challenge by Julio Arca and Tommy Miller, but if his ligaments have been damaged, the television studio beckons. “That could be it for me,” he acknowledged.

For a player who scored a hat-trick for Southampton on his full debut at 17, there would be a form of symmetry if this marked his retirement. Having seen his beloved team fall behind to Sunderland — “we were absolutely rubbish,” was his typically blunt assessment — Shearer plundered the penalty that brought them the lead. It was his first and last domestic goal in enemy territory.

“His memory of scoring will be a very happy one,” Glenn Roeder, the Newcastle caretaker manager, said. “I didn’t get much chance to see him afterwards. He was lying on a table looking despondent, but he was still so happy with the result. He forgot his own pain and made sure he congratulated everyone for a real turnaround. That just shows what a man he is.”

In 404 appearances for his home-town club, Shearer has collected 206 goals; over 18 years, there have been 409, including 30 for England. If the worst happens, there will still be an emotional testimonial against Celtic on May 11.

As Shearer admitted, there had been “frustration and anger” in his conversion from the spot. In November 2000, he had missed a penalty at St James’ Park that had contributed to Sunderland’s second consecutive 2-1 victory over Newcastle. His redemption may have been followed by agony, but solace can be taken in seven unbeaten Barclays Premiership matches against their nearest opponents.

Sunderland fans would have struggled to believe that their fortunes could plummet even farther, but yesterday proved that their descent to the Coca-Cola Championship is yet to bottom out. Leading at half-time, their team’s capitulation followed this season’s depressing template with a denouement that emptied the ground. “We beat ourselves,” Kevin Ball said, and given that his side shipped three goals in seven minutes, his argument was reasonable. As there has been for nine desperate months, there was a brittle streak running through the team.

After their spirited goalless draw at Old Trafford, hope that Newcastle’s European ambitions could be thwarted made for an hour of passion and thunder. “In life you get moments to make memories and I told the players that today was one of those,” Ball said. “We’ve done it, but for the wrong reasons.”

In the 32nd minute, Justin Hoyte began a move in his own half, feeding the ball down the right flank, where Jonathan Stead snaked around Titus Bramble. Hoyte had continued his run and was found by Dean Whitehead six yards out.

Newcastle had been insipid, but their torment was halted by the interval. “Some harsh words had to be spoken,” Roeder said. “Most of the time I’m constructive but, trust me, it’s best not to upset me. It’s like the shirt we wear, black and white. When I’m black, get out of my way.”

The reaction was a tribute to a caretaker manager whose claims for the permanent position have orbited. In the 60th minute, Stephen Caldwell and Kelvin Davis left a long ball by Bramble to each other, allowing Michael Chopra to score a tap-in 13 seconds after his introduction as a substitute. When the exceptional Charles N’Zogbia was tugged down by Hoyte, Shearer did his usual.

Having taken the ball with his back to goal, N’Zogbia rode tackles galore and scored, while even Albert Luque was able to lift his first goal above Davis three minutes before the end. Newcastle are are now seventh in the table, a season high, and have taken 25 points in their 12 games under Roeder’s canny stewardship.

With matches against West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City preceding Chelsea’s coronation on Gallowgate, the Uefa Cup is now a firm possibility. After the difficulties and dissent of the Graeme Souness era, it would be an extraordinary achievement.

Sunderland would not revel in it and their distressing slump persuaded a supporter to encroach on the pitch and toss away his season ticket in front of the dugout. Roeder shook his hand. “I’m not really sure why,” he said. “I must just be a nice bloke.”

The trespasser’s anger might have been premature; Niall Quinn is this week expected to confirm his consortium’s intention to buy a disillusioned club. As Shearer discovered, good and bad news can be interchangeable.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): K Davis — J Hoyte, S Caldwell, D Collins, G McCartney — L Lawrence, D Whitehead, T Miller, D Murphy (sub: J Arca, 68min) — J Stead (sub: K Kyle, 68), C Brown. Substitutes not used: G Breen, G Leadbitter, J Murphy. Booked: McCartney.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-2): S Given — S Carr, C Moore, T Bramble, C Babayaro — N Solano, L Clark (sub: M Chopra, 59) A Faye, C N’Zogbia (sub: J-A Boumsong, 88) — K Dyer, A Shearer (sub: A Luque, 71). Substitutes not used: S Harper, P Ramage. Booked: Clark, Bramble.

Referee: C Foy.