A senior police officer will review the decision to hold a volatile football match at lunchtime after hundreds of drunken fans confronted outnumbered police in a city centre.

Up to 300 people gathered in Newcastle's Bigg Market as thugs looked to fight with police, some four hours after watching their team win 3-2 over fierce Premiership rivals Sunderland.

In the 12 hours following the derby match, which kicked off at 1.30pm yesterday, 50 arrests were made in the city centre for drunkenness, violence and disorder.

Assistant Chief Constable Kevin Mathieson said that while some Sunderland fans may have been present, it was certainly not a case of rival gangs clashing, although some known Newcastle hooligans were seen.

Newcastle United fans have caused trouble in the Bigg Market following key fixtures in recent years.

Mr Mathieson said the trouble began spontaneously and officers were confronted as they tried to break up fights between Newcastle supporters.

''This was predominantly fuelled by alcohol and probably as a result of people drinking all day, linked to the timing of the match,'' he said.

''There are some indications that the early start of the match may have led to the volume of drunkenness and disorder that took place.

''We will look as to whether it was a contributory factor.'' He praised officers who reacted calmly when the initial confrontation took place, before hundreds of reinforcements arrived to back them up.

Officers then shut neighbouring streets and closed some bars before dispersing the crowd.

Senior detectives will now look at CCTV images to catch any offenders who were not arrested last night.

Mr Mathieson added: ''The incidents that occurred were predominantly drink-related by a minority of mindless idiots.''

The force was also investigating reports that a brick was thrown at a coachload of disabled Sunderland supporters as it left St James's Park, cracking a window.