Newcastle fans attack Sunderland striker Bent's car

By Colin Young

Under attack: Sunderland star Bent

Under attack: Sunderland star Bent

Sunderland striker Darren Bent has revealed his car has been attacked by Newcastle United fans throwing glasses and bottles.

Police have launched an investigation after the England forward's Land Rover came under attack while he was shopping with a friend and the friend's girlfriend in Newcastle's Bigg Market yesterday evening.

Bent revealed that a group of fans singing Newcastle songs attacked his car while he was shopping, and later when the girlfriend of the friend was inside the vehicle.

Bent wrote on Twitter: 'So Newcastle utd fans attack my car with glass bottles today while im in a shop. Then proceed to attack it while best friends girls in there come on now. Bit to far noo?'

Bent scored a last-minute goal in Sunderland's 5-1 thrashing by Newcastle in last month's Tyne- Wear derby at St James' Park. He is one of the most popular players in the North East because of the way he has embraced life in the area.

He also has 37,000 followers on Twitter and turned on the Christmas lights in Sunderland this week.