Newcastle United against Sunderland

Bent gets behind the Newcastle defence but his shot is blocked. Gyan picks up the crumbs, but his shot is saved. It's just not happening for Sunderland today.

Ameobi is given a standing ovation for his double-strike. He's had a superb game.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Newcastle sub: Ranger on, Ameobi off.

Mensah is close to being shown a second yellow for his protests, but has escaped further punishment.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Carroll is chopped down by <b>Mensah (Sunderland)</b>, who sees yellow. But again, I feel he took the ball.

Sunderland have barely had a kick for the last 3 minutes. Newcastle are revelling in this, and why shouldn't they?

And now Newcastle's every pass is being cheered. Sunderland can't get a kick.

<b>Incredible. It's five for Newcastle and Nolan has his hat-trick! Barton's corner from the right, flicked on by Ameobi, and headed home by Nolan. This is a rout. And there could be more...</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL 5-0 NEWCASTLE</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"><b>Turner (Sunderland)</b> is booked for a trip on Carroll, who was looking menacing again.

This is turning into an utter embarrassment for Sunderland.

<b>It's Ameobi again! A beautiful deep cross by Gutierrez is headed by Carroll against the crossbar, the ball falls perfectly for Ameobi, who gets over the ball and volleys it into the roof of the net. Game, set & match Newcastle.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL 4-0 NEWCASTLE</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Lee Cattermole (Sunderland)</b> is booked (are you surprised?) for a foul on Tiote.

The corner comes all the way across to Bardsley who slams a low shot at the Newcastle goal, but a combined effort on the Newcastle goal-line means, Bardsley's shot is blocked.

Bent looks for Gyan with a chip into the box, but Coloccini intercepts and heads out for a corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> This time <b>Bardsley (Sunderland)</b> is the villain for a needless hack on Coloccini, who was going nowhere.

Jose Enrique is caught by Lee Cattermole, who seems to be losing his head a little here. Handbags ensue.

Gutierrez nods down Perch's long ball into the box and Nolan swings his left foot at the ball but is denied a hat-trick by Turner's block.

Sunderland clear but Newcastle retaining possession in their opponent's half.

Turner trips Ameobi and Barton will whip in a free kick from the right for Newcastle...

Nolan is clattered into by Lee Cattermole. It was fair but exuberant, and Nolan had a few words for the Sunderland skipper.

Sunderland look absolutely shellshocked. As you'd expect.

Sunderland's near impossible task just got a lot harder.

First impressions are that the red card is harsh. Yellow yes, but I'm not sure about red.

<b>Sunderland's centre-back is dismissed for a definite trip on Carroll, but was it denying a clear goal scoring opportunity? I'm not sure.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>RED CARD FOR TITUS BRAMBLE!</b>

Sunderland are seeing a lot more of the ball after the break but they're not doing too much with it. Damage limitation, I feel, is as part of Sunderland's second half mission as getting a goal.

The ball falls to Bent's feet but he seemed surprised to see the ball come to him and he failed to get a shot away. That goes down as a missed opportunity.

Sunderland have won an early corner in the second half.

Sunderland need to score early to make a game of this. They will surely throw everything at Newcastle, so expect more goals.

<b>The second half is underway.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/1031/kevinnolangoal20101031_275x155.jpg"><br>Nolan's inventive finish puts Newcastle ahead.

Play our new, live, fantasy game. Watch the match on TV while betting live and interactively online. https://espnsoccernet.picklive.com/. Available only to UK users.

Remember, for all you Twitterers, you can follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/espnsoccernet" target="_blank">ESPNsoccernet</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mjdasilva" target="_blank">myself</a> to stay up-to-date with all the latest goings on.

Join me for the second half in ten minutes or so. I'm need to get my breath back after that.

What a game so far! Newcastle are cruising in this one. They lead 3-0 at half time.

And that's the end of a thrilling first half in the Tyne-Wear derby.

<b>Ameobi scores from the spot with an unstoppable shot low to the bottom left corner. Game over?</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL 3-0 NEWCASTLE</b>

<b>Gutierrez is tripped by Bramble. This could be over by half time. Ameobi to take...</b>

<b>PENALTY TO NEWCASTLE!</b>

We are into injury time at the end of the first half at St James's Park.

This weekend continues as one that will be remembered for many contentious decisions.

Looking at another replay of Newcastle's second goal, Ameobi played a part in preventing Sunderland defending the ball after being in an offside position. Perhaps Sunderland have a case.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> And now <b>Simpson (Newcastle)</b> is booked for a foul on Welbeck. But again, I must say, that wasn't a foul. He took the ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Onuoha (Sunderland)</b> is booked for chopping down Gutierrez.

Steve Bruce is forced into a tactical change so early into the game. He feels that his side need that three-pronged forward-line I was talking about earlier!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Gyan on, Ahmed Al Muhammadi off (Sunderland)

Asamoah Gyan is coming on for Sunderland already!

Sunderland, believe it or not, haven't actually been that bad. But have paid the price for slack defending.

Ameobi was offside at the moment Carroll shot, but as he wasn't interfering nothing was give. Sunderland can't wait for the half-time whistle.

<b>Steve Bruce will be sweating even more after this. Terrible defending. Gutierrez was involved as his shot was blocked on the edge of the box, it fell to Carroll who attempted an ambitious overhead kick, the ball found it's way to Nolan, who calmly tucked it away for his second of the game.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL 2-0 Newcastle!</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Malbranque (Sunderland)</b> is unfairly booked for a foul on Barton. But he won the ball, and it wasn't a foul.

Steve Bruce is sweating on the touchline as his gesticulating is becoming frantic.

Breathless stuff here!

Sunderland have the chance to respond immediately. Welbeck rolls the ball to Cattermole who is motoring his way to the edge of the area but he is stretching for the ball and his shot is wide.

<b>It's been coming. The corner is whipped in by Barton, headed into the 6 yard area by Carroll and Nolan, with his back to goal, hooks it into the roof of the net.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL 1-0 Newcastle!</b>

Barton smacks a long-range effort and the keeper, Mignolet, turns it around for a corner.

And that was a brilliant header by Carroll, who is proving to be a real handful for Sunderland.

<b>Chance for Newcastle!</b> Carroll heads the corner across the face of goal expertly and Ameobi has the ball taken off his toes in the 6 yard box and Sunderland survive again. But the home side are getting closer...

Gutierrez wins a corner for Newcastle.

Barton's cross is half cleared by Sunderland and falls to the feet of Nolan, but he scuffs his left-footed effort harmlessly wide.

Newcastle are marginally the better side but Sunderland, with their three-pronged attack of Gyan, Bent and Welbeck can counter-attack with pace and venom. This game has goals in it, you'd think.

Infact, it was Bramble who tangled with Carroll and replays show that a penalty would have been harsh. Not as much contact as I first thought there.

<b>Penalty claim turned down for Newcastle!</b> Carroll, through on goal again, appears to be tugged down by Ahmed Al Muhammadi, but nothing is given. The crowd are NOT pleased about that.

Enrique gets himself out of a mess at left-back and eventually finds Barton, who sweeps a tremndous long ball out to Ameobi, who is unlucky not to win a corner.

This game is not for the faint-hearted. Challenges flying in from all angles. Phil Dowd has his work cut out keeping a lid on this.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Andy Carroll (Newcastle)</b> is booked for a hack on Welbeck.

Coloccini did seem to foul Ahmed Al Muhammadi in the build-up to that move with a flailing elbow but it went unpunished.

Andy Carroll is through on goal and Bardsley comes across to tackle him superbly on the edge of the box. Carroll would have had a shot on goal if not for that challenge.

Williamson does brilliantly to get some of the ball from Bent in the box, with Bent about to release his hot at goal. Williamson had a lot of ground to make up theere and did well.

Henderson gets on the ball again and looks long for Bent, but the pass doesn't find the striker and Newcastle can regroup with a throw.

Jordan Henderson hits a long-range effort on the half-volley and it goes just over the bar. Decent shot by the youngster though.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Tiote (Newcastle)</b> picks up the first yellow card of the afternoon after he caught Malbranque late.

Titus Bramble's every touch is being greeted with the expected boos. A former Newcastle defender, of course.

Needless to say, the atmosphere at St. James's Park for this ficture is coruscating.

Sunderland clear the ball and launch a counter attack with Gyan whose pace takes him away from the chasing defenders. But Gyan, with Bent is acres of space to his left, goes for goal and Bent is furious!

He went for goal and it flicks off Bardsley's head for a Newcastle corner.

Newcastle have won an early free-kick 30 yards out. Joey Barton to take...

<b>It's the Geordies vs the Mackems. Here we go then...</b>

We are just a couple of minutes away from kick of at St. James's Park.

Sunderland's Kieran Richardson returns to the bench after recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered last month. Striker Fraizer Campbell and midfielder David Meyler are still absent, but winger Ahmed Elmohamady has recovered from a foot problem.

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has confirmed that Steven Taylor is not yet ready to make a return from the shoulder injury that has ruled him out since January. Fellow defender Sol Campbell, who has a thigh problem, also misses out.

<b>Sunderland:</b> Mignolet, Bardsley, Bramble, Turner, Onuoha, Henderson, Cattermole, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Welbeck, Bent. <b>Subs:</b> Gordon, Richardson, Mensah, Zenden, Da Silva, Ferdinand, Gyan.

<b>Newcastle:</b> Krul, Jose Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Simpson, Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Ameobi, Carroll. <b>Subs:</b> Soderberg, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Ranger.

The teams are in...

I'm Michael Da Silva and I'll be guiding you through all the action, kick-by-kick, from what promises to be a closely fought encounter.

Hello everyone. One of English football's fiercest rivalries is renewed at St James's Park today as Newcastle take on Sunderland.

Steve Bruce thinks he <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=837240&sec=england&cc=5739" target="_blank">made the right choice</a> by opting for Sunderland. We'll soon see.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0925/stevebruce20100925_275x155.jpg"><br>Bruce almost joined Newcastle.

Join us for the Tyne-Wear derby at 1330 GMT, to see if Steve Bruce can cause some Toon torment.

The corner comes all the way across to Bardsley who slams a low shot at the Newcastle goal, but a combined effort on the Newcastle goal-line means, Bardsley's shot is blocked.

Bent looks for Gyan with a chip into the box, but Coloccini intercepts and heads out for a corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> This time <b>Bardsley (Sunderland)</b> is the villain for a needless hack on Coloccini, who was going nowhere.

Jose Enrique is caught by Lee Cattermole, who seems to be losing his head a little here. Handbags ensue.

Gutierrez nods down Perch's long ball into the box and Nolan swings his left foot at the ball but is denied a hat-trick by Turner's block.

Sunderland clear but Newcastle retaining possession in their opponent's half.

Turner trips Ameobi and Barton will whip in a free kick from the right for Newcastle...

Nolan is clattered into by Lee Cattermole. It was fair but exuberant, and Nolan had a few words for the Sunderland skipper.

Sunderland look absolutely shellshocked. As you'd expect.

Sunderland's near impossible task just got a lot harder.

First impressions are that the red card is harsh. Yellow yes, but I'm not sure about red.

<b>Sunderland's centre-back is dismissed for a definite trip on Carroll, but was it denying a clear goal scoring opportunity? I'm not sure.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>RED CARD FOR TITUS BRAMBLE!</b>

Sunderland are seeing a lot more of the ball after the break but they're not doing too much with it. Damage limitation, I feel, is as part of Sunderland's second half mission as getting a goal.

The ball falls to Bent's feet but he seemed surprised to see the ball come to him and he failed to get a shot away. That goes down as a missed opportunity.

Sunderland have won an early corner in the second half.

Sunderland need to score early to make a game of this. They will surely throw everything at Newcastle, so expect more goals.

<b>The second half is underway.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/1031/kevinnolangoal20101031_275x155.jpg"><br>Nolan's inventive finish puts Newcastle ahead.

Play our new, live, fantasy game. Watch the match on TV while betting live and interactively online. https://espnsoccernet.picklive.com/. Available only to UK users.

Remember, for all you Twitterers, you can follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/espnsoccernet" target="_blank">ESPNsoccernet</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mjdasilva" target="_blank">myself</a> to stay up-to-date with all the latest goings on.

Join me for the second half in ten minutes or so. I'm need to get my breath back after that.

What a game so far! Newcastle are cruising in this one. They lead 3-0 at half time.

And that's the end of a thrilling first half in the Tyne-Wear derby.

<b>Ameobi scores from the spot with an unstoppable shot low to the bottom left corner. Game over?</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL 3-0 NEWCASTLE</b>

<b>Gutierrez is tripped by Bramble. This could be over by half time. Ameobi to take...</b>

<b>PENALTY TO NEWCASTLE!</b>

We are into injury time at the end of the first half at St James's Park.

This weekend continues as one that will be remembered for many contentious decisions.

Looking at another replay of Newcastle's second goal, Ameobi played a part in preventing Sunderland defending the ball after being in an offside position. Perhaps Sunderland have a case.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> And now <b>Simpson (Newcastle)</b> is booked for a foul on Welbeck. But again, I must say, that wasn't a foul. He took the ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Onuoha (Sunderland)</b> is booked for chopping down Gutierrez.

Steve Bruce is forced into a tactical change so early into the game. He feels that his side need that three-pronged forward-line I was talking about earlier!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Gyan on, Ahmed Al Muhammadi off (Sunderland)

Asamoah Gyan is coming on for Sunderland already!

Sunderland, believe it or not, haven't actually been that bad. But have paid the price for slack defending.

Ameobi was offside at the moment Carroll shot, but as he wasn't interfering nothing was give. Sunderland can't wait for the half-time whistle.

<b>Steve Bruce will be sweating even more after this. Terrible defending. Gutierrez was involved as his shot was blocked on the edge of the box, it fell to Carroll who attempted an ambitious overhead kick, the ball found it's way to Nolan, who calmly tucked it away for his second of the game.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL 2-0 Newcastle!</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Malbranque (Sunderland)</b> is unfairly booked for a foul on Barton. But he won the ball, and it wasn't a foul.

Steve Bruce is sweating on the touchline as his gesticulating is becoming frantic.

Breathless stuff here!

Sunderland have the chance to respond immediately. Welbeck rolls the ball to Cattermole who is motoring his way to the edge of the area but he is stretching for the ball and his shot is wide.

<b>It's been coming. The corner is whipped in by Barton, headed into the 6 yard area by Carroll and Nolan, with his back to goal, hooks it into the roof of the net.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL 1-0 Newcastle!</b>

Barton smacks a long-range effort and the keeper, Mignolet, turns it around for a corner.

And that was a brilliant header by Carroll, who is proving to be a real handful for Sunderland.

<b>Chance for Newcastle!</b> Carroll heads the corner across the face of goal expertly and Ameobi has the ball taken off his toes in the 6 yard box and Sunderland survive again. But the home side are getting closer...

Gutierrez wins a corner for Newcastle.

Barton's cross is half cleared by Sunderland and falls to the feet of Nolan, but he scuffs his left-footed effort harmlessly wide.

Newcastle are marginally the better side but Sunderland, with their three-pronged attack of Gyan, Bent and Welbeck can counter-attack with pace and venom. This game has goals in it, you'd think.

Infact, it was Bramble who tangled with Carroll and replays show that a penalty would have been harsh. Not as much contact as I first thought there.

<b>Penalty claim turned down for Newcastle!</b> Carroll, through on goal again, appears to be tugged down by Ahmed Al Muhammadi, but nothing is given. The crowd are NOT pleased about that.

Enrique gets himself out of a mess at left-back and eventually finds Barton, who sweeps a tremndous long ball out to Ameobi, who is unlucky not to win a corner.

This game is not for the faint-hearted. Challenges flying in from all angles. Phil Dowd has his work cut out keeping a lid on this.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Andy Carroll (Newcastle)</b> is booked for a hack on Welbeck.

Coloccini did seem to foul Ahmed Al Muhammadi in the build-up to that move with a flailing elbow but it went unpunished.

Andy Carroll is through on goal and Bardsley comes across to tackle him superbly on the edge of the box. Carroll would have had a shot on goal if not for that challenge.

Williamson does brilliantly to get some of the ball from Bent in the box, with Bent about to release his hot at goal. Williamson had a lot of ground to make up theere and did well.

Henderson gets on the ball again and looks long for Bent, but the pass doesn't find the striker and Newcastle can regroup with a throw.

Jordan Henderson hits a long-range effort on the half-volley and it goes just over the bar. Decent shot by the youngster though.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Tiote (Newcastle)</b> picks up the first yellow card of the afternoon after he caught Malbranque late.

Titus Bramble's every touch is being greeted with the expected boos. A former Newcastle defender, of course.

Needless to say, the atmosphere at St. James's Park for this ficture is coruscating.

Sunderland clear the ball and launch a counter attack with Gyan whose pace takes him away from the chasing defenders. But Gyan, with Bent is acres of space to his left, goes for goal and Bent is furious!

He went for goal and it flicks off Bardsley's head for a Newcastle corner.

Newcastle have won an early free-kick 30 yards out. Joey Barton to take...

<b>It's the Geordies vs the Mackems. Here we go then...</b>

We are just a couple of minutes away from kick of at St. James's Park.

Sunderland's Kieran Richardson returns to the bench after recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered last month. Striker Fraizer Campbell and midfielder David Meyler are still absent, but winger Ahmed Elmohamady has recovered from a foot problem.

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has confirmed that Steven Taylor is not yet ready to make a return from the shoulder injury that has ruled him out since January. Fellow defender Sol Campbell, who has a thigh problem, also misses out.

<b>Sunderland:</b> Mignolet, Bardsley, Bramble, Turner, Onuoha, Henderson, Cattermole, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Welbeck, Bent. <b>Subs:</b> Gordon, Richardson, Mensah, Zenden, Da Silva, Ferdinand, Gyan.

<b>Newcastle:</b> Krul, Jose Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Simpson, Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Ameobi, Carroll. <b>Subs:</b> Soderberg, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Ranger.

The teams are in...

I'm Michael Da Silva and I'll be guiding you through all the action, kick-by-kick, from what promises to be a closely fought encounter.

Hello everyone. One of English football's fiercest rivalries is renewed at St James's Park today as Newcastle take on Sunderland.

Steve Bruce thinks he <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=837240&sec=england&cc=5739" target="_blank">made the right choice</a> by opting for Sunderland. We'll soon see.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0925/stevebruce20100925_275x155.jpg"><br>Bruce almost joined Newcastle.

Join us for the Tyne-Wear derby at 1330 GMT, to see if Steve Bruce can cause some Toon torment.