Jermain Defoe certainly isn't shirking on his defensive duties as he scurries back to block a couple of Newcastle crosses on the left. Still the Toon Army look completely ineffectual as an attacking force.

Make that four. Jack Colback is cautioned for leaving his leg in a challenge with Jordi Gomez. The home fans enjoy that.

The third yellow card of the game as Jordi Gomez slides into Daryl Janmaat a little recklessly. Nowhere near the ball.

Kyle: Things that can apparently be counted on: Sunderland having an awful season but pulling it out for the Tyne-Wear Derby.

Matthew Sopp: I wish Sunderland could play Newcastle every week.

Dan Wade: Best weekend for goals ever? Just need a Yannick Bolasie backheel volley from his own penalty area now.

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live at the Stadium of Light

"Gouffran has done nothing. He has had no impact on the game. It will be interesting to see how this changes the tactics. Gouffran did so little it is difficult to know exactly what role he was playing. It is a messy period in the game right now. The biggest problem remains for Newcastle that nothing is sticking up front. Can Riviere help that?"

Easy for goalkeeper Tim Krul but Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher is finding too much room. The front man again wins a header all too easily, this time from Seb Larsson's cross, but it flies straight at Krul.

Newcastle are playing like a punch-drunk boxer at the moment. The game is just passing them by. This must be hurting the travelling fans.

John Carver attempts to change things as he brings on Emmanuel Riviere - a derby debutant - for Yoan Gouffran on the right of midfield.

Image source, Reuters

Sunderland are playing with a bit of a spring in their step. They look full of confidence as they ping the ball around looking for another opportunity.

So much energy, so much belief. Newcastle, on the other hand, are still waiting for the first shot on target.

Remy Cabella bobbles a volley out for a goal kick from the edge of the penalty area as Newcastle continue to struggle to make any impression.

They have been pretty awful so far.

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live at the Stadium of Light

"We heard from Newcastle boss John Carver before the match that there would be no lack of fight or passion in his players but maybe there was in the first half. He must have given them a rocket at half-time. He needs more from his players, particularly his midfield."

Newcastle doing their best to gift Sunderland a second. Daryl Janmaat gives the ball away to Jermain Defoe, he passes to Jordi Gomez, who floats it to the unmarked Steven Fletcher. The striker though can only volley into the ground from the right of the penalty area.

Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat looks at home as he roars his side on.

A little bit more positive from the visitors in the opening seconds of the second half as Jack Colback drags a low shot across goal and wide.

I'm sure Newcastle fans don't need reminding but Sunderland have won four Premier League games in a row against Newcastle, their longest run of victories in this fixture.

They are on course to extending their unbeaten top-flight run against Newcastle to a club record seven matches.

Ouch.

Can Newcastle respond? They have to don't they? Game on.

Luke Bristow: Still baffles me that Spurs didn't bring back Defoe. I'd much prefer him off the bench than Soldado

Image source, Opta

No one can say Sunderland didn't deserve the lead.

All they lacked in the opening half was a bit of quality to reward their dominance and then, step forward Mr Defoe.

A dropping ball from high in the air falling onto his weaker left foot and thwack. The roof of the net ripples and the home fans go wild.

Here comes the teams.

What does that do to the bottom of the Premier League then?

As results stand, Sunderland move up two places to 15th and three points clear of the drop zone.

Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator

"I don't think he (Defoe) can quite believe it. There wasn't a lot of quality and then there was that and it's 1-0 to Sunderland at the break."

Image source, Opta

Jermain Defoe's touch map shows he has only touched the ball twice inside Newcastle's penalty area in that half but, when you can strike a ball like that, why does it matter?

The former England man has scored three of his last five Premier League goals against Newcastle.