Newcastle United against Sunderland

Williams is booked for a foul on Shearer

Griffin has a shot from distance which Soresen keeps out and Williams can hack clear

Ameobi takes the short ball and shapes for the shot on the edge of the D. He looks to shift the ball, but trips over it

Shearer is held down by Williams. Free-kick

A late flurry of attacking action from Sunderland. But it must be too litle too late

And a change for Newcastle as well. Craig Bellamy departs and Shola Ameobi is introduced

Finnaly Peter Reid makes a second change, Marcus Stewart coming on for Tore Andre Flo

Newcastle will be relieved to get out of the bottom three tonight - which they surely will now

Viana looks to nip the ball past McCann but is brought down with a late challenge. That's a booking for McCann

Viana has looked lively after coming on, finally a chink of light in an otherwise dull affair

Why Reid hasn't made another change since the break is a mystery. With Marcus Stewart on the bench they could have changed tactics from the mind numbing long ball trash

The service to Shearer and Bellamy has been woeful, and the strike duo have been forced to drop deep on numerous occasions to look for the ball

Dabizas pushes Quinn and it's a fre-kick in the centre of the park to Sunderland

Newcastle start to put some pressure on the Sunderland defence - do they have a third in the locker?

Another change for Newcastle, Hugo Viana comes on in place for Laurent Robert

Bellamy tries a shot from the edge of the D which is comfortable for Sorensen to deal with

Almost on cue there's a melee in the Newcastle box following a cross from Quinn. The Magpies get in a couple of blocks and Given isn't troubled

Sunderland look about as dangerous as a wet fish, it'll be a miracle if they score

Seventy-four minutes gone, and it's still awful. Joachim Bjorklund is replaced by Darren Williams

Piper does well to get past O'Brien and has the chance to cross until his next touch sends the ball out for a goal-kick. Terrible, a fair reflection of Sunderland as a whole

...the cross is just a little too high for the pint-sized Bellamy and the ball drift wide of the right-hand post

Robert delivers a fantastic ball from the left. Bellamy's unmarked ten yards out and rises to head goalwards...

Bellamy seems to have the better of Piper for pace, sprinting into the box, before Piper shows a late burst to win the ball. Great challenge

Robert swings the ball in from the right but Sorensen is there to punch clear

Dyer and Bellamy combine on the edge of the box, and the Welsh striker wins a corner

The game may be awful, but the Magpies fans are certainly enjoying the scoreline

Bellamy feeds in Robert, but the attempted cross is blocked well by Wright and the ball runs to Sorensen

Quinn is pealised for pushing in the Newcastle box - there didn't appear to be much in it

Bellamy is still protesting with the referee over his yellow card for diving. Does he ever shut up?

Jermaine Jenas enters the fray in place of Nolberto Solano

Kilbane tries to get in on the left but Dabizas puts in a strong challenge to end the move

...the referee blows his whistle but brings his book out to book Bellamy for diving. Never a penalty - or a caution

Dyer does well to turn his man and feeds a fine ball into the box for Bellamy, he's through but goes down under the challenge from Babb...

Another corner for Newcastle. Solano delivers from the left but Dabizas heads over

Quinn wins a long ball into the box and knocks it down to Flo on the edge of the box, and the Norwegian striker blazes his shot way over the bar. Shocking

...the ball is always spinning away and Shearer is unable to direct the ball towards goal

Kilbane sends Robert to the floor by the right touchline. The Frecnhman plays a bending ball to Shearer...

Newcastle win four successive corners, with McCann finally the man to clear the danger with his head

A bit of push and shove between Bellamy and McCann in the six yard box which referee Riley sorts out

Bellamy shows pace on the right and plays a low ball to Dyer in the box. Wright does brilliantly to nip in and knock the ball behind for a corner

Finally the Newcastle fans have found their voice. Can the players find some skill?

Another foul by Flo, and he gets a final warning from the referee. One more and he'll be in the book

...Given makes it look dramatic but it was a comfortable save. At least it was a shot!

Quinn win the header and finds Reyna 20 yards out. The American takes a touch before releasing the shot...

Laurent Robert has been poor so far. If he can up a gear we may yet see more goalmouth action... Please!

The start of this half has done little to suggest Sunderland can get back into the match

Gray tries to put Flo through, but Dabizas stands strong and is pushed to the floor. Free-kick

Babb holds down Shearer and gives away the free-kick in the centre circle

The second period has started as scrappy as the first ended. Surely it must get better?

O'Brien and Given show misunderstanding yet again, but Flo is too slow to react and Given recovers to come and claim the ball

Newcastle get the second period underway

A change for Sunderland at the break, Niall Quinn replaces Jason McAteer

The game itself has been vey disappointing - Sunderland are going to have to come out all guns blazing and change that

It's a long way back for Sunderland, bar a couple of weak Flo headers they've looked very poor and posed no attacking threat

Newcastle may have the two goal lead, but they really haven't been convncing and have had just two shots on target

And there goes the half-time whistle

Two minutes to be added

Shearer needs treatment after the bandage protecting the head wound he picked up against Kiev slips and opens the cut, but he's okay to continue

Hughes is caught with another late challenge, this time from McAteer, although the Sunderland man escapes a yellow card

Newcaslte pass the ball around to the cheers of the fans. Ole!

Sunderland very rarely manage to score twice in a game, which really puts them in trouble now. Will this spur the Magpies on for more?

A superb strike from Shearer, smashed with power from 20 yards out into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. A great shot and could this be curtains for Sunderland and Peter Reid

GOAL!!!!!

McAteer brings Shearer to the floor on the edge of the box. This is dangerous. Solano knocks a short square ball to Shearer...

...Given scrambles back to his goal-line and just manages to grasp the ball before it crosses the line. Just when Peter Enckleman thought he would be forgotten......

O'Brien plays the ball back to Given, the Newcastle keeper takes a touch and looks for the long clearance. The ball hits the onrushing Flo and it's going in...

Dyer is brought down by McCann. Free-kick, taken short

Robert plays a ball over the top to Bellamy on the left wing - the Frenchman just hits the ball out of play much to the frustration of the St James' Park faithful

Sunderland will be happier right now, Newcastle dont't look like scoring again (not that Sunderland look dangerous) and the Black Cats will hope to hit on the break

Reyna finds space 20 yards from goal and decides to try an effort on goal - a terrible shot that end up near the right corner flag than the goal

This game isn't getting any better, very liitle quality on show and hardly a shot to report

...again Flo fails to get his header on target and Newcastle keep their slender advantage

Piper does well on the right flank and wins a corner off Hughes. Reyna takes it from the right and Flo wins the header...

...Speed gets there but he can't get a decent contact on the ball and it spins out for a goal-kick

Robert does well on the left and nips past Piper before delivering a low ball to the edge of the six yard area...

Bellamy looks to turn Bjorklund and goes down looking for obstruction, but no free-kcik is awarded

Sir Bobby Robson has had words to say from the touchline - unhappy at the way his side are performing right now

The atmosphere is a little flat at St James' Park right now, a reflection on the game

Robert finds Bellamy, who moves into the box. Sunderland defend in numbers again and Bellamy is forced to play the ball backwards

Robert takes the free-kick and tries a shot from all of 35-yards, but it's always rising and a goal-kick to Sunderland

Another late challenge, this time by McCann as Hughes tried to knock the ball on. No card this time, inconsistent

Sunderland can't get hold of the ball right now, while Newcastle cannot penetrate a stern Sunderland defence

This time Robert goes in late, on McCann, and referee Riley has no option but to get the book out after doing just that to Wright

Robert looks to take the ball past Wright, but the defender is very late with his challenge and gets a yellow card for his troubles

Newcastle beginning to take a stranglehold on this game now, but can they double their advantage?

Robert floats the ball in the left for Shearer, but the striker can't get any decent contact with his header and the ball bounces harmlessly behind

...Shearer just can't reach the ball but Solano intercepts. Bjorklung brings him to the ground but the referee turns down the penalty appeals

Robert sets Bellamy sprinting down the left wing, e cuts inside and tries to square the ball for Shearer...

Shearer backs in to Bjorklund, and the decision goes to the Sunderland defender

Despit the early goal, it's not been the best of games so far. No that the Magpies' fans will be complaining!

Shearer looks for Bellamy, but the flag goes up for offside. Bellamy is furious with the decision and gets a talking to from referee Riley

Sunderland have responded well to that early blow, Newcastle failing to create anything more

Bjorklund was booked for a late foul on Shearer in the run-up to the opening goal

...but Flo can only head over the bar from six yards out. He should have at least hit the target there

Piper looks to nip round Robert before the Frenchman blocks his path. Reyna takes the free-kick himself and Flo rises ahead of Dabizas...

Bellamy in penalised for backing in to Babb

Solano plays a fine ball through for Bellamy to chase, but the Wales international loses track of where the ball is and Sunderland can clear

...but Babb fail to get any real contact with his header from 12 yards and the chance is gone

Flo and Piper look to get the better of Dabizas on the right wing and win the corner. Reyna floats the ball in and Babb is there...

Shearer did superbly for the goal, holding up the ball before Dyer came up in support - the rest is history

That was just what Sunderland didn't want. They are going to have to stand firm or they could be in for a pasting

Bellamy slides the ball under Sorensen and into the right-hand corner of the net. A superb break and the early lead for the Magpies

GOAL!!!!!

Shearer feeds a short ball to Dyer and the England man sprints through the middle with pace. He slides Bellamy in on goal...

Newcastle start the game at a fast pace, looking to impose themselves on the Black Cats' defence

Mike Riley blows his whistle, and Sunderland get the north east derby underway

Sunderland make two changes - Gavin McCann replaces striker Marcus Stewart and under-fire Irishman Kevin Kilbane comes in for Thomas Butler with Tore Andre Flo left to play a lone role up front

Wingers Laurent Robert and Nolberto Solano return for Newcastle at the expense of Olivier Bernard and Hugo Viana as Andy Griffin retains his place in the starting line-up and Aaron Hughes reverts to an orthodox defensive role

Join Soccernet live for the Sunderland v Newcastle north east derby. Kick-off 12:15 BST

Another change for Newcastle, Hugo Viana comes on in place for Laurent Robert

Bellamy tries a shot from the edge of the D which is comfortable for Sorensen to deal with

Almost on cue there's a melee in the Newcastle box following a cross from Quinn. The Magpies get in a couple of blocks and Given isn't troubled

Sunderland look about as dangerous as a wet fish, it'll be a miracle if they score

Seventy-four minutes gone, and it's still awful. Joachim Bjorklund is replaced by Darren Williams

Piper does well to get past O'Brien and has the chance to cross until his next touch sends the ball out for a goal-kick. Terrible, a fair reflection of Sunderland as a whole

...the cross is just a little too high for the pint-sized Bellamy and the ball drift wide of the right-hand post

Robert delivers a fantastic ball from the left. Bellamy's unmarked ten yards out and rises to head goalwards...

Bellamy seems to have the better of Piper for pace, sprinting into the box, before Piper shows a late burst to win the ball. Great challenge

Robert swings the ball in from the right but Sorensen is there to punch clear

Dyer and Bellamy combine on the edge of the box, and the Welsh striker wins a corner

The game may be awful, but the Magpies fans are certainly enjoying the scoreline

Bellamy feeds in Robert, but the attempted cross is blocked well by Wright and the ball runs to Sorensen

Quinn is pealised for pushing in the Newcastle box - there didn't appear to be much in it

Bellamy is still protesting with the referee over his yellow card for diving. Does he ever shut up?

Jermaine Jenas enters the fray in place of Nolberto Solano

Kilbane tries to get in on the left but Dabizas puts in a strong challenge to end the move

...the referee blows his whistle but brings his book out to book Bellamy for diving. Never a penalty - or a caution

Dyer does well to turn his man and feeds a fine ball into the box for Bellamy, he's through but goes down under the challenge from Babb...

Another corner for Newcastle. Solano delivers from the left but Dabizas heads over

Quinn wins a long ball into the box and knocks it down to Flo on the edge of the box, and the Norwegian striker blazes his shot way over the bar. Shocking

...the ball is always spinning away and Shearer is unable to direct the ball towards goal

Kilbane sends Robert to the floor by the right touchline. The Frecnhman plays a bending ball to Shearer...

Newcastle win four successive corners, with McCann finally the man to clear the danger with his head

A bit of push and shove between Bellamy and McCann in the six yard box which referee Riley sorts out

Bellamy shows pace on the right and plays a low ball to Dyer in the box. Wright does brilliantly to nip in and knock the ball behind for a corner

Finally the Newcastle fans have found their voice. Can the players find some skill?

Another foul by Flo, and he gets a final warning from the referee. One more and he'll be in the book

...Given makes it look dramatic but it was a comfortable save. At least it was a shot!

Quinn win the header and finds Reyna 20 yards out. The American takes a touch before releasing the shot...

Laurent Robert has been poor so far. If he can up a gear we may yet see more goalmouth action... Please!

The start of this half has done little to suggest Sunderland can get back into the match

Gray tries to put Flo through, but Dabizas stands strong and is pushed to the floor. Free-kick

Babb holds down Shearer and gives away the free-kick in the centre circle

The second period has started as scrappy as the first ended. Surely it must get better?

O'Brien and Given show misunderstanding yet again, but Flo is too slow to react and Given recovers to come and claim the ball

Newcastle get the second period underway

A change for Sunderland at the break, Niall Quinn replaces Jason McAteer

The game itself has been vey disappointing - Sunderland are going to have to come out all guns blazing and change that

It's a long way back for Sunderland, bar a couple of weak Flo headers they've looked very poor and posed no attacking threat

Newcastle may have the two goal lead, but they really haven't been convncing and have had just two shots on target

And there goes the half-time whistle

Two minutes to be added

Shearer needs treatment after the bandage protecting the head wound he picked up against Kiev slips and opens the cut, but he's okay to continue

Hughes is caught with another late challenge, this time from McAteer, although the Sunderland man escapes a yellow card

Newcaslte pass the ball around to the cheers of the fans. Ole!

Sunderland very rarely manage to score twice in a game, which really puts them in trouble now. Will this spur the Magpies on for more?

A superb strike from Shearer, smashed with power from 20 yards out into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. A great shot and could this be curtains for Sunderland and Peter Reid

GOAL!!!!!

McAteer brings Shearer to the floor on the edge of the box. This is dangerous. Solano knocks a short square ball to Shearer...

...Given scrambles back to his goal-line and just manages to grasp the ball before it crosses the line. Just when Peter Enckleman thought he would be forgotten......

O'Brien plays the ball back to Given, the Newcastle keeper takes a touch and looks for the long clearance. The ball hits the onrushing Flo and it's going in...

Dyer is brought down by McCann. Free-kick, taken short

Robert plays a ball over the top to Bellamy on the left wing - the Frenchman just hits the ball out of play much to the frustration of the St James' Park faithful

Sunderland will be happier right now, Newcastle dont't look like scoring again (not that Sunderland look dangerous) and the Black Cats will hope to hit on the break

Reyna finds space 20 yards from goal and decides to try an effort on goal - a terrible shot that end up near the right corner flag than the goal

This game isn't getting any better, very liitle quality on show and hardly a shot to report

...again Flo fails to get his header on target and Newcastle keep their slender advantage

Piper does well on the right flank and wins a corner off Hughes. Reyna takes it from the right and Flo wins the header...

...Speed gets there but he can't get a decent contact on the ball and it spins out for a goal-kick

Robert does well on the left and nips past Piper before delivering a low ball to the edge of the six yard area...

Bellamy looks to turn Bjorklund and goes down looking for obstruction, but no free-kcik is awarded

Sir Bobby Robson has had words to say from the touchline - unhappy at the way his side are performing right now

The atmosphere is a little flat at St James' Park right now, a reflection on the game

Robert finds Bellamy, who moves into the box. Sunderland defend in numbers again and Bellamy is forced to play the ball backwards

Robert takes the free-kick and tries a shot from all of 35-yards, but it's always rising and a goal-kick to Sunderland

Another late challenge, this time by McCann as Hughes tried to knock the ball on. No card this time, inconsistent

Sunderland can't get hold of the ball right now, while Newcastle cannot penetrate a stern Sunderland defence

This time Robert goes in late, on McCann, and referee Riley has no option but to get the book out after doing just that to Wright

Robert looks to take the ball past Wright, but the defender is very late with his challenge and gets a yellow card for his troubles

Newcastle beginning to take a stranglehold on this game now, but can they double their advantage?

Robert floats the ball in the left for Shearer, but the striker can't get any decent contact with his header and the ball bounces harmlessly behind

...Shearer just can't reach the ball but Solano intercepts. Bjorklung brings him to the ground but the referee turns down the penalty appeals

Robert sets Bellamy sprinting down the left wing, e cuts inside and tries to square the ball for Shearer...

Shearer backs in to Bjorklund, and the decision goes to the Sunderland defender

Despit the early goal, it's not been the best of games so far. No that the Magpies' fans will be complaining!

Shearer looks for Bellamy, but the flag goes up for offside. Bellamy is furious with the decision and gets a talking to from referee Riley

Sunderland have responded well to that early blow, Newcastle failing to create anything more

Bjorklund was booked for a late foul on Shearer in the run-up to the opening goal

...but Flo can only head over the bar from six yards out. He should have at least hit the target there

Piper looks to nip round Robert before the Frenchman blocks his path. Reyna takes the free-kick himself and Flo rises ahead of Dabizas...

Bellamy in penalised for backing in to Babb

Solano plays a fine ball through for Bellamy to chase, but the Wales international loses track of where the ball is and Sunderland can clear

...but Babb fail to get any real contact with his header from 12 yards and the chance is gone

Flo and Piper look to get the better of Dabizas on the right wing and win the corner. Reyna floats the ball in and Babb is there...

Shearer did superbly for the goal, holding up the ball before Dyer came up in support - the rest is history

That was just what Sunderland didn't want. They are going to have to stand firm or they could be in for a pasting

Bellamy slides the ball under Sorensen and into the right-hand corner of the net. A superb break and the early lead for the Magpies

GOAL!!!!!

Shearer feeds a short ball to Dyer and the England man sprints through the middle with pace. He slides Bellamy in on goal...

Newcastle start the game at a fast pace, looking to impose themselves on the Black Cats' defence

Mike Riley blows his whistle, and Sunderland get the north east derby underway

Sunderland make two changes - Gavin McCann replaces striker Marcus Stewart and under-fire Irishman Kevin Kilbane comes in for Thomas Butler with Tore Andre Flo left to play a lone role up front

Wingers Laurent Robert and Nolberto Solano return for Newcastle at the expense of Olivier Bernard and Hugo Viana as Andy Griffin retains his place in the starting line-up and Aaron Hughes reverts to an orthodox defensive role

Join Soccernet live for the Sunderland v Newcastle north east derby. Kick-off 12:15 BST