Newcastle 0-1 Sunderland - as it happened

1. Johnson smashes home late winner for visitors
2. Sunderland break on the counter to score
3. Seven bookings in feisty Tyne-Wear derby
4. Sunderland now won last four league derbies

While the Sunderland Twitter bod is full of the joys, their Newcastle counterpart has had more enjoyable days.

This is how they have done post-match reaction.

Newcastle

Those are the breaks.

We are done here for the day, but head over to the Liverpool v Arsenal live with Luke Reddy for more Premier League action.

@SunderlandAFC

Sunderland on Twitter: 'Poyet Poyet, give us a wave' - and so he does!

@SunderlandAFC

Sunderland on Twitter: Big smiles as the players leave the pitch - led by match-winner Adam Johnson

Getty Images

After a couple of years mostly warming benches at Manchester City Costel Pantilimon looks like he is enjoying the chance to actually play some football.

Two splendid saves - the first from Ayoye Perez, the second from Moussa Sissoko - kept his team in it when they were under the cosh.

Being six foot eight is a pretty imposing sight in goal for the opposition.

So how did Jack Colback do in his first derby in Newcastle, rather than Sunderland, colours?

Pretty well, after a couple of clumsy challenges could have seen him walking in the first half.

He was Newcastle's top passer, making 59 in the game. He completed a healthy 83% of those and created three chances for his side.

Manager reaction

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, speaking to Sky Sports: "We were chasing the game and in terms of cover committing we had warned the players that Sunderland might score that way, and we were punished. But on another day we would have won. We had good chances. Ayoze Perez was the brightest player on the pitch.

"You are pushing and we wanted to win - we would take the draw now but if you draw without pushing for the win you would be disappointed. Maybe we pushed a bit too hard but I am not going to criticise my players. They put in everything they could. Sunderland edged the first half but second half we went up a level. We should be sitting here as winners but we have lost. We now have to regroup and take our second half form into the game against Manchester United.

"Both goalkeepers played well, but I was pleased for Jak Alnwick. He stood up to enormous pressure but it is disappointing for our fans. Losing four times in a row against Sunderland is a tag that is going to stick on me now so I will have to wear it.

"I am proud of how the team approached the game today. It wasn't our day. Criticism that might come my way or the teams way, we will have to accept. We can't listen or absorb it, we have to prepare ourselves for the next game."

AP

Alan Pardew is accentuating the positives in defeat, insisting his team played well, but admitting that he is going to have live with being the first manager to lose four successive derbies against Sunderland.

He adds that he is not going to criticise his team for pushing for the win late, but concedes that they lost "a bit of discipline" at the end.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Andi Brown: Every club has it's bogey team. Why on earth does it have to be Sunderland?!

Anthony Rhodes: Why can we not play well in the derbies?!?! I feel sick

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

Manager reaction

Reuters

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet, speaking to BBC Sport: "To understand what this means you need to live here and be on one side. To see the faces of the people, the fans in the street - they only talk about this game. It is the biggest present the players could have given - three points over their biggest rivals - and it was totally deserved.

"One action was the difference but overall we had the better chances. But you still need something special to happen. Before we scored there was a great save by Costel Pantillimon, and I was thinking to change Adam Johnson.

"But he really wanted to stay in and scored the goal. Sometimes there is very little you need to win or lose a game. We needed a break that means you score one chance. We missed a few but we didn't stop believing. The idea today was to get three points, to be proud of the team, to make history with the four wins in a row."

Getty Images

That has to hurt. Steven Taylor is left nursing the missed opportunity to leapfrog Swansea as well as a battered face after today's defeat.

I think the face might sting more in the morning.

BBC

Getty Images

Gus Poyet is up in front of the television cameras and is struggling to keep his Cheshire grin under wraps.

The Uruguayan reveals that he had planned to take Adam Johnson off in the 81st minute, but changed his mind after the winger wriggled through and missed a chance in the 78th minute.

Text us on 81111

Jalaj, from London: Great Goal by Adam Johnson, probably one of the best of the season so far, the run, the composure, the finish and all in the most important game of the season

Andy: Adam Johnson, the toast of Sunderland tonight! What massive goal at a massive time! Happy Christmas Mackams!

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

BBC

The Sunderland players are back out on the pitch and, with the stands deserted apart from the small away section high in the third tier, they celebrate with a collective belly slide towards their fans.

Never mind the local bragging rights, it was important in pure points terms for the Black Cats. They pull away from the drop and up to 14th.

Player reaction - They hate me here

Getty Images

Matchwinner Adam Johnson on Sky Sports: "We've won three years in a row now, they must hate me here, three wins, three clean sheets. It's a personal favourite of mine coming to play here, it's a great atmosphere and the crowd all seem to rise to the occasion.

"I missed a chance earlier and I would have been devastated if I'd missed that one at the end. I took my time and set myself and it went in. It's massive for us, it gives us a great boost."

@mhardysport

Football writer Martin Hardy: Up There. Sunderland fans celebrate an historic fourth successive victory against Newcastle

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Craig Andrew Smith: Best Christmas present ever!!! Derby victory over #nufc. Get in!!!!

Evan Pritchard: No buttery gravy then....

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

Getty Images

A celebration almost in the Paolo di Canio class.

Look at Alan Pardew in the background as well. Absolutely gutted.

Getty Images

Steve Harper

Hull City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 live

"That is a killer blow for Newcastle. They had a good run recently but that is soon forgotten. This will hurt. The fans will be hurting. The manager will be hurting. Losing four derbies in a row... that is tough to take. It is a by-product of football that when you do well everything is rosy and when you lose it is the worst thing in the world.

"The scrutiny will probably get a bit silly on Pardew again. This Newcastle team have proved they can compete with anyone on the day but these derbies are proving a step too far at the moment."

The stadium tannoy blares John Lennon's War is Over as the players and fans depart. The powder keg never quite went off after a fiery first half, but Adam Johnson's late goal ensures there will be plenty of spice when the two teams next meet.

It is some run Sunderland are on. The Black Cats have won four successive league derbies against Newcastle for the first time.

Adam Johnson explodes with delight on the final whistle, shaking his team-mates in celebration. The visitors are off to take the ovation from their fans up in the St James' Park gods.

Jack Colback trudges off, taking consoling pats from his former team-mates as he goes.

FULL-TIME

CLOSE!

Daryl Janmaat! No, his header slips wide.

Surely all done for Newcastle...

Sebastian Coates booms a clearance up and out. Sunderland are seconds away from another famous derby win.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Seb Amann: How on earth have Newcastle lost this? Great goal by Sunderland though

Jared Maobe: EPL refs make mistake now n then, but Sunderland should thank Kevin Friend for waving playing on

Tallal: Watching Sunderland in recent weeks, is like watching Stoke under Pulis!

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

SUBSTITUTION

Sebastian Larsson off. Jack Rodwell on. Another few seconds eaten up.

CLOSE!

To seal it....nope!

Sebastian Larsson rounds Jak Alnwick, but the the angle beats him with his shot into the wrong side of the side-netting.

INJURY TIME

Five minutes added on.

Steve Harper

Hull City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 live

Getty Images

"I said it earlier that I was worried about the counter-attack. It was a save from Pantilimon and Sunderland have broken down the other end and Johnson was very calm to fire it into the net. It is good play from Sunderland. They have not settled for the draw, have looked to hit on the break and haven't panicked when the chance came."

GOAL

AP

A body blow for Newcastle and it looks like it is the knockout punch.

Sunderland break upfield, twice Newcastle try to foul to bring the move to a end, but Sebastian Larsson picks out Will Buckley and his lay-off is hammered home by Adam Johnson.

Gus Poyet almost gives himself a hernia with his celebration.

Getty Images

GREAT SAVE!

What an effort! What a save! An absolute rasper from Moussa Sissoko, tipped over the top by Costel Pantilimon.

SUBSTITUTION

Newcastle's fans groan as Sammy Ameobi misplaces a pass. That is his last contribution. On comes Remy Cabella in his place.

Adam Armstrong fires over the top. It was only a quarter-chance though from the angle and with lots of Sunderland defenders around him.

Newcastle are loading the box. Plenty of black-and-white bodies in there. Has one of them got a winner in them?

Will Buckley nicks the ball off Fabricio Coloccini on halfway, but the Argentine sprints back to make amends and regain possession.

Steve Harper

Hull City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 live

Getty Images

"It is very tense. Newcastle have been growing into the game in the second half after Alan Pardew made some positive changes. You do worry about them at the other end though and Adam Johnson missed a really good chance."

Moussa Sissoko outmuscles Sebastian Larsson to earn a free-kick and ironic cheers from the crowd after an earlier decision had gone against the hosts.

Under ten minutes left and to be honest I can't sense a winner. These two sides look like they have an allergy to goals today.

SUBSTITUTION

Connor Wickham's race is run. The Sunderland striker has been energetic, if ultimately ineffective. Will Buckley is on in his place.

TEAM NEWS

Getty Images

The teams are in for the 16:00 GMT kick-off at Anfield.

Liverpool XI: Jones, Toure, Skrtel, Sakho, Lucas, Henderson, Markovic, Coutinho, Gerrard, Lallana, Sterling.

Arsenal XI: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Alexis, Giroud, Welbeck.

You can follow that one here.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Tattz: El Classico this ain't, but this is an old fashioned full-blooded physical ding-dong of a derby. El Smackico?

Sho: Have these lot forgotten how to score a goal. Painful to watch.

Mark Chmarny: Living in US I often hear the argument of boring 0:0 football. Do check NEW v SUN if you hold on to this misguided notion

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

WHAT A MISS!

AP

Adam Johnson stares into the whites of Jak Alnwick's eyes as he cuts inside Fabricio Coloccini and bares down on the Newcastle goalkeeper. The angle is tight, but he should do a whole lot better than the trundling side-foot wide of the post that follows.

Just thrashing the life out of it, would have been my choice.

Sunderland have not had many chances since the break and that was a gilt-edged one.

Ayoze Perez is still causing Sunderland problems with his scurrying and scampering. He weaves past Wes Brown but his shot is slow, central and smothered by Costel Pantilimon.

SUBSTITUTION

A change for Sunderland as Liam Bridcutt comes on for Lee Cattermole.

Alan Pardew responds with Papiss Cisse replacing Cheick Tiote.

The momentum is with Newcastle at the moment.

Newcastle are building nicely and it is Adam Armstrong who is finding holes in the Sunderland defence.

The teenager flicks a shot straight at Costel Pantilimon from Sammy Ameobi's near-post cross and then shots into the goalkeeper's shins when he would have been better to square to Moussa Sissoko.

Great movement though.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Mathew Brown: Fletcher is too good for Sunderland. Great hold up play

Neil Leverett: Pantilimon, now he has a starting place is starting to exude the sort of confidence of a thibaut courtois. Beast.

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

YELLOW CARD

There is the first cruncher of the second half. John O'Shea clatters into a tackle, getting all of the man and very little of the ball. Into the book he goes.

CLOSE!

Newcastle cheers stick in Gallowgate throats.

Getty Images

Sammy Ameobi looks like he served up the opening goal on a platter for Moussa Sissoko with a sliderule low cross into the Frenchman's path, but Wes Brown gets tickle of touch to just divert it away as Sissoko prepares to pull the trigger.

Both managers seems to have whispered some cooling words to their men at half-time. There hasn't been any of those bone-shuddering challenges in the second half so far.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Yousuf Ali: It doesn't take a genius to figure that Sunderland desperately needs a clinical striker in January, otherwise it's relegation

Abhishek: Big games are decided on small moments. Gomez's chance should have been put in

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

GREAT SAVE!

PA

Costel Pantilimon needed every bit of his six foot eight inch to get to that. Ayoze Perez's first-time curler from the edge of the box looked destined for the top corner of the Sunderland goal before the Romanian got a big paw to it. Superb save.

Adam Johnson crosses the pitch to wrap his left foot around a free-kick from out on the right. His delivery is punched clear by Jak Alnwick, but only to the edge of the box, and Sebastian Coates diverts a header over the top as the ball is played back in. Shaky.

Steve Harper

Hull City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 live

"Alan Pardew needed to do something because Sunderland should have scored, which has become a common theme for today. Armstrong instead of Cisse surprises me. I was expected to see the latter because he provides a goal threat."

SUBSTITUTION

Yoan Gouffran is heading off and Adam Armstrong, a member of England's under-17 European Championships-winning side, is on in his place.

Armstrong has gone up front with Ayoze Perez in the hole behind and Moussa Sissoko out to the right wing.

Armstrong takes the local-lad contingent up to six for Newcastle.

Steven Taylor, smeared in grease and swelling already around his eye, is back on the field to a great cheer.

YELLOW CARD

Lee Cattermole decides that this is a good time to pick up his customary derby-day yellow card, cynically bringing down Ayoze Perez as the Newcastle forward skips beyond him.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Naveed Afzal: That was incredibly good and BRAVE defending by Taylor. It's the equivalent of a wonder goal IMO

Matt Blazey: Taylor running to the changing room to have stitches on his face so he can continue playing. Other footballers please take note

Daniel Woodley: That is absolutely phenomenal defending from Taylor! A classic example of taking one for the team

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

WHAT A MISS!

Getty Images

Has to be! Somehow though it isn't!

Jordi Gomez secures his place on the blooper reel of shame as he inexplicably side-foots over the top with a huge slice of goal to aim at from eight yards out.

Steven Fletcher won't be best pleased either after setting his Sunderland team-mate up with fine work.

Getty Images

Steven Taylor has warrior blood. Which is just as well as he tends to be in the wars. The Newcastle defender jogs off for further treatment, Paul Dummett filling in at centre-back and Jack Colback in at left-back.

Getty Images

That has to hurt. Steven Taylor defends magnificently, heading away from under his own crossbar just as Steven Fletcher is poised to turn in a Connor Wickham cross.

After making his clearance though the defender cracks his head on the post. There is some claret, but the physio is on quickly to patch him up and Taylor is up and standing.

The atmosphere is a little subdued as people make their way back to their seats at St James' and Daryl Janmaat doesn't give the crowd anything to get excited about as he wastes a good position on the right with a poor cross.

I'm not sure he is getting any closer, but Connor Wickham isn't hiding. The Sunderland striker's fifth effort of the match is a flier, clearing the crossbar by plenty as Jak Alnwick waves it on its way.

KICK-OFF

Steven Fletcher and Sebastian Larsson get in a quick bit of PR, chatting away with referee Anthony Taylor before kicking off the second half.

Dress to the left

BBC

Both side are channelling play down their left flank in attack.

Sammy Ameobi has been busy for the Toon with Adam Johnson seeing plenty of the ball for the visitors.

On an individual basis, Newcastle's Cheick Tiote is out on his own in terms of the fouling stats.

He has racked up five in the first half, with Sunderland pair Lee Cattermole and Sebastian Coates lagging on a paltry two.

In the absence of any goals, let's tot up the disciplinary misdemeanours.

Fouls: Newcastle 10-7 Sunderland, Yellow cards: Newcastle 3-2 Sunderland.

First to a red loses?

It might be whichever team can keep a full complement on the pitch, who finishes with the three points.

BBC

Guy Mowbray

BBC Match of the Day commentator

"No goals but very, very lively as you'd expect. Steven Fletcher came closest to scoring by hitting the woodwork while Wickham came close on one or two occasions. One or two will have to be careful in the second half as they are on yellow cards."

Text us on 81111

Getty Images

Chris, Liverpool: Think the refs been excellent, firm and fair which is exactly what the derby needs. A yellow is a yellow.

James, Belfast: This Derby match is one of the best derbies in the world for passion

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

HALF-TIME

AP

"Feisty", "combative", "physical". Choose whichever adjective you want, it was a typical derby dust-up in the first 45.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Cliff B: Soccer seems to have a different definition to the term "contact sport" as actual contact sports...

Neil Smith: Has Gouffran done anything yet? How he starts before Cabella makes no sense to me when u pay so much for him

Mark Taylor: If Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao are watching this Newcastle defence they must be salivating. They resemble a mobile colander

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

INJURY TIME

Two minutes of injury-time at the end of the first half.

YELLOW CARD

Jack Colback is teetering on the edge.

The Newcastle midfielder, already on yellow, bundles into Sebastian Larsson in a very deliberate attempt to stop him crossing from the left.

He trots away from the scene of the crime and is lucky to be called back by referee Anthony Taylor.

Taylor should be on overtime for this one.

PA

Connor Wickham's heft is causing the Newcastle defence some bother. The Sunderland striker buys himself some space on the edge of the box with some muscular play, but his shot is a bobbler wide.

YELLOW CARD

PA

"Get at Alnwick". I think we can safely presume that was one of the points on Gus Poyet's tactical flipchart.

Sunderland striker Connor Wickham takes the chance to barge into the Newcastle keeper as he chases a lost cause. Referee Anthony Taylor produces the game's fifth yellow in response.

Steve Harper

Hull City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 live

"Sunderland should be ahead. Wickham cant believe he hasn't scored with the header from the corner. For all Newcastle had a good start in the first 15 minutes they have a problem now as both of their central midfielders have been booked giving Sunderland the freedom to play in there."

Connor Wickham, picked out by a fine cross from Santiago Vergini, nods a tame header straight at Jak Alnwick. He should have made the Newcastle goalkeeper work harder for his money there.

Reuters

Ayoze Perez comes to life for Newcastle, rattling in a punchy effort from 25 yards that the giant frame of Costel Pantilimon just about had covered, before forcing a good sliding tackle out of Sebastian Coates as he runs at the Sunderland defence.

He is a lively presence.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez is in the stands and joins in another round of applause on the 33rd minute to mark the £33,000 raised by Sunderland fans for the victims of MH17.

Sunderland have stationed Wes Brown to stand on Jak Alnwick's toes at set-pieces and it is working as a tactic.

The Newcastle goalkeeper is getting agitated with the Sunderland defender's presence.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Chris Goodall: Awful miss from Wickham, it's no wonder Sunderland are in trouble with finishing like that

Kyle Wilson: This referee needs to go to specsavers, really poor calls for the majority of the match so far, questions need to be asked here

Phil Jenkins: How can people say ref had lost his head. Foul is a foul regardless of 1st min or last. Cattermole and Tiote to see red for sure

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

CLOSE!

Getty Images

Sunderland are the more threatening side at the moment. Jak Alnwick has to get down sharply at his near post to push away Connor Wickham's 20-yarder. The Newcastle goalkeeper has been shaky and has only just got enough on the ball to see it wide.

YELLOW CARD

Jack Colback has his name taken and it is the worst challenge of the game so far, amid some fierce competition.

The Newcastle midfielder, long-time of Sunderland, hacks a chunk out of Jordi Gomez's shin to see yellow and is then rabbiting at Lee Cattermole.

Temperature rising.

HITS THE WOODWORK

AP

What a ball! Sebastian Larsson's curling lobbed through-ball cuts apart the Newcastle defence and drops perfectly for Steven Fletcher on the stretch. The Scotland international can't quite keep his volley down though, his effort beating Jak Alnwick but not the crossbar.

YELLOW CARD

Getty Images

Cheick Tiote has been fighting the law and finally the law catches up with him.

The Newcastle midfielder clatters into an aerial challenge with Connor Wickham and picks himself up to find yellow waved in this face.

CLOSE!

Massive let-off for Newcastle! Connor Wickham, almost on the line, contrives to glance a header wide of the post with Jak Alnwick stranded. It was a wicked delivery from Adam Johnson after he had been on the receiving end of Cheick Tiote's fourth foul of the match.

Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie: Sissoko = problem

During the minute's applause, Newcastle goalkeeper Jak Alnwick almost put his captain into deep trouble, rolling the ball past Fabricio Coloccini, forcing the Argentine to stretch to keep Connor Wickham from intercepting and running in on goal.

Steve Harper

Hull City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 live

AFP

Discussing the foul on Steven Fletcher by Fabricio Coloccini, which earned the defender a yellow card: "It's a big ball hung up to Fletcher and Coloccini knows exactly what he is doing. On another day he could have seen red and I think he is quite fortunate. It has been a lively start. Sunderland are just starting to get a foot-hold in the game."

The atmosphere changes to warm applause as Newcastle fans stand to thank their Sunderland counterparts for their support and fund-raising in the wake of the deaths of fans Liam Sweeney and John Alder on flight MH17 earlier this year.

Sunderland's Steven Fletcher clumps the ball clean over the bar from 25 yards. Jonny Wilkinson-esque.

Amid all the fouls and niggles, the first chance of the game.

Moussa Sissoko cuts inside, swaps passes with Sammy Ameobi, but fails to connect cleanly with his right foot, dribbling a shot straight into the gloves of Costel Pantilimon.

Getty Images

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand: Cattermole took his time with his 1st foul...15seconds

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Getty Images

Karl Cobane: Less than 2 minutes and the ref has given a yellow card. Refs lost his head already

Siddharth Kochar: Shouldn't Cattermole be called Lee CLATTERMOLE?

Shohidur Rahman: 8 minutes in and already a yellow each. No way this is ending 11 vs 11

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

Cheick Tiote is walking the tightrope. The Newcastle midfielder, one yellow away from an automatic ban, commits his third foul of the match, catching Sebastian Larsson around the ankles.

One more offence and surely he is heading into the little black book and out of contention for the hosts' next game.

Jack Colback stirs the pot as he responds to the applause of Newcastle fans with a handclap of his own as he heads over to take a corner.

Nothing results from the corner as John O'Shea gets up highest and heads clear.

YELLOW CARD

Getty Images

Getty Images

Sunderland want red. Gus Poyet's eyeballs are on stalks. But Anthony Taylor decides that Fabricio Coloccini's knee into the back of Connor Wickham is worthy only of yellow.

It was your classic 'orange card'. It could have gone either way, but was probably more clumsy than malicious.

AFP

Jak Alnwick comes and claims the free-kick comfortably. That will be a confidence-builder for the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Sunderland finally get up over the halfway for the first time as Sebastian Coates strides forward. Jordi Gomez is flattened by a strong shoulder from Cheick Tiote.

Sebastian Larsson asks the question, but the yellow is staying firmly in the referee's pocket.

If he keeps his red hidden for the full game he will be doing well.

YELLOW CARD

Getty Images

Referee Anthony Taylor holds out until only the second minute. Sebastian Coates catches Ayoze Perez to earn the game's first yellow card and Paul Dummett curls the resulting free-kick over the top. Newcastle have started full of aggression and intent.

Getty Images

Check that one off your Tyne-Wear derby bingo card.

Lee Cattermole flings himself into Daryl Janmaat, it could have been a yellow card, but referee Anthony Taylor holds fire.

Newcastle's Sammy Ameobi heads just over from the resulting free-kick.

KICK-OFF

Newcastle kicking towards the Gallowgate End in the first half...

AFP

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew: "They're nerve-wracking games for players and staff because they affect the city for 10 days and it makes you uncomfortable when you lose, so the best answer to that is to win - and then the gravy will taste nice and buttery and the chicken will be good."

Mmm, buttery.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew: "It's huge for this area. We've not done well in recent games. This team that Gus Poyet has is good at punishing you if you make an error.

"We have to make sure we get the goals. We still haven't scored enough. Papiss Cisse had a tough week - he didn't train until Thursday. But he's on the bench and he's had an uncanny knack of scoring late in games.

On five local players in the starting XI: "We've had a strong French influence in last couple and maybe they didn't quite get intensity of game. We are a team that can reach heights that a lot can't reach, but we cant reach it consistently because our players are young."

"Are you ready for the 151st Tyne Wear derby?" shouts the stadium announcer.

I'm pretty sure they are, but just to make sure he follows up his questions with a call-and-response of "Toon, Toon, Toon".

Jack Colback gets a cheeky wink from Lee Cattermole as the two teams shake hands and the Newcastle midfielder's name gets the biggest cheer when read out over the tannoy.

Sebastian Coates is in animated discussion with Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon. The on-loan Liverpool defender has been called into the starting XI to replace Anthony Reveillere, who was injured in the warm-up.

The teams are in the tunnel.

No home comfort for Pardew

BBC

2 Good 2 Bad

MOTD2

Getty Images

This one's for the eagle-eyed amongst you. Today we are asking for your contributions to the 2 Good 2 Bad segment on Match of the Day 2. If you happen to spot any comedy gold you can share it using #2good2bad on Twitter - and please make sure to include a time for your moment of hilarity.

You can watch the best contributions on tonight's programme from 22:20 GMT on BBC One in England and Wales, 22:40 in Northern Ireland, and 23:25 for viewers in Scotland.

Reveillere prompts a reshuffle

Steve Harper

Hull City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 live

"It does cause chaos [losing a player before kick-off]. Set-pieces wise it will be an issue as they will have different setups for corners and free-kicks. They will have some re-organising to do. As a player you will have gone through the game a million times in your head so the last thing you need is for your job to change just before kick-off."

You can listen to live commentary online as well as on the wireless. Click on the live coverage tab at the top of this page.

PA

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet: "I would like to say it's about three points, but for the whole two cities this is the biggest game of the season.

"We need to show our supporters that we do really care. We have won the last three - the first one under Paolo Di Canio, it was the end of the season and we needed the points and then in my first one the situation was is similar. The second one we remember better, we were calm and performed well. I'm sure today will be different.

"It's strange to see Colback in black and white. I wish him the best - but not today. But he's a great lad. Steven Fletcher had a knock and he has recovered and he's desperate to play this fixture."

Text us on 81111

Mark, Redcar: As a teacher, I've seen 100's of young boys sacrificing so much to be part of PL club academies only to be discarded so brutally when they were no longer useful to the club. SAFC must recognise what Colback did was simply a tiny fleck of payback for all those young boys.

Does loyalty cut both ways? Is Colback within his rights to leave on a free to Sunderland's local rivals?

Get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ page.

Hartlepool do not plan Ched Evans signing

Hartlepool have rejected the chance to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Evans, 25, was released in October after serving half of a five-year sentence for the rape of a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room in 2011.

Hartlepool manager Ronnie Moore had said he was considering signing the former Sheffield United striker.

Join the debate at #getinspired

Get Inspired

With BBC Sport

Anthony Rhodes: Barton Rovers vs Dunstable Town... Always a feisty one!

Jack Jeffree: Hereford vs Cheltenham was probably my favourite derby day ever. Winning it in extra time to set up Everton at home.

Nickoluoch: Gor Mahian vrs AFC Leopards has to be the biggest derby in Africa. Two with most wins in the Kenyan league

Get in touch via #getinspired or 81111 on text.

Austin for England?

Martin Keown

Former Arsenal defender on MOTD2 Extra

"There is a sharpness to top strikers at international level. If you are not able to match that as a defender you will get done. Charlie Austin is growing and enjoying the ride. I think you have to look at a different tool in the box and I think Andy Carroll offers England that. He looks fitter. And Harry Kane is an interesting player. There are opportunities for some of these players."

Charlie chalking up the goals

Former Wales international Robbie Savage

MOTD2 Extra

"Charlie Austin has done exceptionally well. Stepping up from where he has come from to score goals in the Premier League is a very tough thing to do. All credit to him. International football is becoming more like Premier League football. The style of playing on the counter attack, scoring goals on the break, and Austin's movement is fantastic."

Reveillere limps out

There is going to have to be a change to Sunderland starting line-up. French right-back Anthony Reveillere has just limped out of the warm-up and it will take more than heat spray and the magic sponge to get him right.

Sebastian Coates looks the likeliest to get promoted from the bench.

Jack Colback is one of five local lads in the Newcastle starting line-up today, alongside Paul Dummett, Steven Taylor, Sammy Ameobi and Jak Alnwick.

After failing to beat Sunderland in their last five league meetings with a side with a French accent, Alan Pardew has gone for a local twang.

Sunderland

Sunderland: Sunderland in red and white this afternoon, with white shorts

Getty Images

Inside the stadium, the man of the moment, Jack Colback is out and warming up...

Toon on run at home

BBC

Getty Images

There is even a round of applause planned by the Newcastle fans in the 17th minute of today's match to express their thanks for their Sunderland counterparts help in the wake of John Alder and Liam Sweeney's deaths.

Having said all that, the atmosphere around St James' Park this afternoon looks pretty lively as the two sets of fans arrive ahead of kick-off.

Getty Images

This Tyne-Wear derby should be surrounded by a very different atmosphere from the one that spawned violence back in 2013.

Following the death of two Newcastle United fans - John Alder and Liam Sweeney - on Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in July, Sunderland fans contributed to fundraising in their memory.

The Football Supporters' Federation have built on that sad occasion and the Black Cats' fine response by staging meetings between the two sets of supporters. They have also launched a slogan - "A Derby to be Proud Of" - while the police plan a lower-key approach to the match.

Another Toon nightmare?

This sight will send a shudder through any Newcastle fan.

Getty Images

Not only was Sunderland's 3-0 win at St James' Park last season emphatic, it was their second win by the score line at the stadium in as many years.

The Black Cats have not tasted derby-day defeat in five league outings.

'Poyet needs lift off'

Martin Keown

former Arsenal on MOTD2 Extra

"If you are losing games you have to be intelligent and make an adjustment. Last year they did a double dip and got themselves out of trouble and then, because of the League Cup and the extra fixtures, they fell back into it. I don't know how in love Gus is with his players. Some of them are in and out. It is not really lifting off for him at Sunderland and it needs to if he is to stay in a job."

Alnwick to be tested

Steve Harper

Hull City goalkeeper on MOTD2 Extra

"The selection of Steven Fletcher is telling as he is powerful in the air and I think Sunderland will look to test Jak Alnwick in the Newcastle goal. The two games he's played so far haven't gone well for him but today is a chance for him to make himself a hero."

Jak in the box

BBC

Getty Images

With Tim Krul and Rob Elliot injured, it is down to the bare goalkeeping bones for Newcastle.

With Jak Alnwick, 21, between the sticks, it is 17-year-old Freddie Woodman, son of the club's goalkeeping coach Andy, on the bench.

He is an England youth international though, who played for Newcastle's reserves at the age of 14 though.

It wasn't just Woodman looking around the breakfast table for a suitable sub.

Team news

Newcastle's goalkeeper Jak Alnwick recovers from a shoulder injury to make his Tyne-Wear derby debut. Right-back Daryl Janmaat returns from suspension to take his place in the line-up. Spaniard Ayoze Perez will play the furthest forward in a 4-3-3 formation with Papiss Cisse on the bench.

Newcastle: Alnwick, Janmaat, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Dummett, Tiote, Colback, Ameobi, Sissoko, Gouffran, Perez. Subs: Williamson, Cisse, Haidara, Cabella, Riviere, Armstrong, Woodman.

Sunderland start with Steven Fletcher, who returns from injury to take his place in attack. United States forward Jozy Altidore is named as one of the substitutes.

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Vergini, O'Shea, Brown, Reveillere, Cattermole, Johnson, Larsson, Gomez, Wickham, Fletcher. Subs: Bridcutt, Rodwell, Altidore, Alvarez, Mannone, Coates, Buckley.

Draw written all over it...

BBC

"Respecting the point" is what got Sam Allardyce to where he is today.

Sunderland

Sunderland: Niall says 'ha'way the lads!'

Former club chairman and player Niall Quinn is at St James' Park for the big Tyne-Wear derby.

Austin proving a point

Martin Keown

Former Arsenal defender on MOTD2 Extra

"It has to continue. Charlie Austin knows all his manager talks about is buying strikers and he needs to let him know he doesn't need to. There is a hunger about him. He wants it more than anyone else. He is reading this morning's headlines and he wants more of it."

These are the two line-ups in full for you. Plenty of bite in those two midfields with messers Tiote and Cattermole clashing shinpads.

Newcastle: Alnwick, Janmaat, Coloccini (c), S Taylor, Dummett, Sissoko, Colback, Tiote, Gouffran, Perez, Ameobi

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Vergini, Reveillere, O'Shea (c), Brown, Cattermole, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Wickham, Fletcher.

BreakingBREAKING NEWCASTLE TEAM NEWS

Goalkeeper Jak Alnwick is passed fit for Newcastle who welcome back defender Daryl Janmaat and start with Ayoze Perez up front.

BreakingBREAKING SUNDERLAND TEAM NEWS

Steven Fletcher starts up front in place of Jozy Altidore for Sunderland.

MOTD2

The studio lights are just warming up over on Match of the Day 2 Extra. Robbie Savage is basking alongside former Arsenal defender Martin Keown and Times football writer Rory Smith.

Text us on 81111

Get Inspired

With BBC Sport

Here are some more of your local rivalry tales. The smaller the teams, the higher the stakes I find...

Andy in Grimsby: Grimsby Town vs Scunthorpe United is a great derby, we played in the FA cup last year! #memories

Decky, Londonderry: All this talk of great rivalries- they pale in comparison to Derry City vs Finn Harps. Decades of hard fought contests!

Get in touch via #getinspired or 81111 on text.

Jack Colback doesn't have a future career as a diplomat lined up either, judging by his comments in today's programme.

Asked if he would celebrate should he score against his former side he said: "What do you think?"

"Of course. I'd probably be in the Gallowgate End with my shirt off!"

At which point the roof of St James Park might lift a couple of inches.

Programme portrait

NUFC

Christmas cards are usually heart-warming scenes of goodwill and kindness.

This effort of a Jack Colback in front of a snowy Tyne Bridge probably won't be on display in many Sunderland fans' house.

It has made the front cover of today's programme though.

It does look like it was made by one of those sketch-your-photo booths you see in some arcades though.

"I hope they can understand the chance I've had here to move to my boyhood club," said Colback of Sunderland.

"For him to leave the club that has supported him throughout his formative years in such a manner, with no chance for Sunderland to recover any of the significant investment that it has made in him as a player, has left a bitter taste," said Sunderland of Colback.

We'll take that as a no then.

And Colback's fine form can't have improved the Black Cats' mood. An England call-up can't be far off.

Col-Back In Toon

Getty Images

Jamie Carragher wore long sleeves throughout his Liverpool career to hide an Everton tattoo. That was the story.

Turned out it was entirely untrue, but the fear that one of your club's prodigies will suddenly decamp to your rivals is Sunderland fans can relate to.

After 14 years coming up through the ranks at Sunderland, Jack Colback left last summer, after allowing his contract run down, and turned up at Newcastle.

Join the debate at #getinspired

Get Inspired

With BBC Sport

Ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland, we are after the story behind your own local rivalry...

Peter Collins: Aldershot vs Woking. Just happens to be on the 28th... If we win its a great Christmas present!

Get in touch via #getinspired or 81111 on text.

Both team coaches have just rolled up at St James' Park. Newcastle striker Ayoze Perez is in perky mood, greeting a member of staff with a breezy morning.

A less friendly welcome for the Sunderland players who disembark to jeers from the Newcastle fans who have arrived early.

Real win world crown

AP

Newcastle and Sunderland may be playing for north-east pride. Real Madrid's next stop is to play some Martians for the title of best team in this solar system.

The Champions League winners breezed to victory against Argentina's South American champions San Lorenzo in the Club World Cup final last night with goals from Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale.

Lennon: "Every derby is different"

Getty Images

Lennon (left) is no stranger to high-pressure derby games

Neil Lennon has played and managed in one of the biggest derbies in the world in Glasgow during his time at Celtic. He discussed the Tyne-Wear derby on Football Focus on Saturday and had this to say...

"Every derby is different. The next one is the most important. I know from my time at Celtic how important they are - it's the fixture the fans look for first. This will have been building up over the last three or four weeks. For the manager, if you win, it gives you such a lift going forward."

"If I don't score I don't leave the house"

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC

Over on BBC Radio 5 live on Friday night, former Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy were discussing the pressure of derby day.

The case of Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore, who has not scored a league goal for the club yet this season and goes into Sunday's derby with Newcastle off the back of a glaring miss in last weekend's draw with West Ham came under the microscope.

Former Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts tells BBC Radio 5 live: "You're passionate about what you do. It's not a case of going home and forgetting, this is an issue and it's your passion.

"My way of dealing with it would be not to leave the house. The majority of players I've been with, it means that much to them."

'The future is bright for Kane'

AP

On to another England hopeful...

Harry Kane took his tally for the season to 14 with a header against Burnley, and the Tottenham striker has impressed former England centre-forward Alan Shearer.

"Harry Kane has been brilliant," Shearer told Match of the Day. "When you look at the money Spurs have spent - some would say wasted - on the players in their team, it's ironic that a kid comes in form the youth team and does so well.

"He is quick, he's bright and he gets into the box where you are going to score your goals. His movement is brilliant. His desire to get into the box - that is what I like about him.

"He is intelligent. The future is bright for him."

It's like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife Alan.

Austin powers QPR

Getty Images

Charlie Austin was on top form for Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, his hat-trick against West Brom earning praise from two former England internationals on Match of the Day.

Former England defender Phil Neville: "Charlie Austin is single-handedly keeping QPR out of the bottom three. His overall goalscoring record is fantastic. He is one of the in-form strikers in the league this season. At the start of the season I had my doubts about whether he could step up to the Premier League, but he has done really well."

Former England striker Alan Shearer: "It helps Charlie having Bobby Zamora up front, who is willing to be a bit of a battering ram. Austin's finishing looks natural and it's an incredible story from where he was to where he is now."

After Rickie Lambert's rise from beetroot factory to England international, it might not be long before former brickie Austin gets a call-up.

Get Inspired

Get Inspired

With BBC Sport

BBC

It might be cold and wet out there at this time of year, but that's no excuse for you not to be joining a Sunday League team and strutting your stuff in the middle of a muddy field. If you are thinking of getting involved then head on over to our Get Inspired site, which will give you all the information you need!

You might also want to follow the BBC Get Inspired Twitter feed. and like the Facebook page.

Get Inspired

With BBC Sport

Ahead of Newcastle v Sunderland, we are after the story behind your own local sporting rivalries.

Aly Sherif: CompSci vs Maths in Cardiff Uni. Maths stole our players, we went on bad losing run, beat them 2-1, celebrated like crazy.

I'm imagining an Anchorman-style showdown on the astro.

Get in touch via #getinspired or 81111 on text.

Van Gaal on the warpath

Mail on Sunday

The Mail on Sunday lead on Louis van Gaal getting stroppy with his Manchester United team after their six-match winning run came to a halt with a draw away to Aston Villa.

Strikerless City

Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday hail Manchester City's strikerless side after they made light of the absence of Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko to beat Crystal Palace 3-0.

Away from football they lead on an interesting interview with welterweight contender Amir Khan, explaining why he is heading to Pakistan to speak out against the Taliban.

Title frustration and new Manchester faces

'Useless Rodgers', Louis van Gaal in title frustrations, Pardew bang up for the derby and a Spanish recruit at Manchester City. The Star Sunday back page is bumper this morning.

Dailly Star

Van Gaal told his news conference following a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa that his side had to win such fixtures if they were to compete for the title.

Their rivals Manchester City are linked with a move for Atletico Madrid's Koke but needed no added firepower to see off Crystal Palace in a 3-0 win on Saturday.

The Twitter lads...

Some of the Premier League's Twitter-loving players have been active since Saturday's results.

Adrian: Great 3 points and another clean sheet...It is the best Christmas present for everyone! Happy Hammers Christmas.

The West Ham goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Leicester City.

Shane Long:Big result for us today against a good Everton side. Congrats to Harrison Reed on an immense performance and Dominic Gape on making his debut.

Southampton saw off Everton 3-0 at St Mary's.

Bale the Red Devil?

The Sunday Express leads today on news of a potentially huge acquisition for Manchester United.

Sunday Express

Bale scored as Real Madrid won the Club World Cup on Saturday evening but is the focus of attention for United boss Louis van Gall who hopes to bring the 25-year-old back to England next summer.

Getty Images

The Sunday papers have already had their say, so let's take a little skirt around the newsstand.

And, unlike down at the newsagents, there is no danger of someone shouting "this isn't a library" at you do so.

Join the debate at #getinspired

Get Inspired

With BBC Sport

Adam Howarth: Lancing Rangers vs Thistle Utd. We would lose nearly every week but never against our hometown rival. If you want it enough...

That is the spirit Adam.

Get in touch via #getinspired or 81111 on text.

Join the debate at #getinspired

Get Inspired

With BBC Sport

Getty Images

The mood in workplaces across the north-east is hanging on the outcome of today's meeting between Sunderland and Newcastle, but every club, be it big or small, has some noisy neighbours to put in their place.

As part of the BBC's Get Inspired scheme - encouraging you to get involved in sport in your local area - we are interested in your own local rivalries.

Tell us which is the grudge match that is the first to look for in your local football team's fixture list and the cauldron of mild resentment that brews up around it.

#getinspired on Twitter or 81111 on text is the way to get in touch.

MOTD2 Extra

Yep, as Premier League action goes, today is landing with a one-two punch that Amir Khan would be proud of.

To warm you up, Mark Chapman and guests to hand out a punditry pummelling to Saturday's action on MOTD2 Extra from 12:30 GMT. That is on BBC One, BBC Radio 5 live and at the top of this very page.

"Have you seen that?" "Unbelievable."

Getty Images

Then it will be time re-run the fun on another of last season's seismic scorelines.

Liverpool's 5-1 hammering of then-leaders Arsenal was pure jaw-drop - a result so shocking that BT Sport based a star-studded advert just on people reacting to the Reds' early flurry of goals.

Since then Suarez has left, Sanchez has arrived, and the sands have shifted.

Liverpool v Arsenal kicks off at 16:00 GMT to show us what, if anything, remains the same.

Why the long face?

Getty Images

Somewhere in a paddock in Yorkshire, Bud will be getting ready.

The police horse, attacked by a Newcastle fan after their clash with Sunderland in April 2013, was back on duty when the teams next met the following October.

In the meantime Sunderland fans had adopted horse masks and presented Bud with a pack of 'Paolo' mints in honour of their then-manager.

It has been Newcastle fans with the long faces after the last two derbies at St James' Park though.

Back-to-back 3-0 defeats by the Wearsiders will do that.

Newcastle v Sunderland is the first match on our card this afternoon.