Alas the final ball has been lacking. This time Andros Townsend cross straight to Vito Mannone. Looks like we will have another Newcastle change. Vurnon Anita is on for Daryl Janmaat, also on a yellow card.

Image source, Getty Images

Signs of recovery from Newcastle? A tad. Sunderland have certainly been required to do more defending in the last five minutes. 

Another break forward from Newcastle down the left. It's passed inside and then forward to Siem De Jong, who receives a tug from Younes Kaboul. The Gallowgate End wants a penalty but, soon after, they will have to make do with a corner. That comes to nothing. 

Image source, PA

But here come Newcastle. Andros Townsend cuts inside, feeds the ball to Ayoze Perez but his shot is tame and along the floor into a grateful Vito Mannone's grasp. 

Sunderland would do well to see this one out but they tried that against Southampton a week ago and conceded a last minute equaliser. The same here would be devastating for Sam Allardyce and his players. 

Well it won't be any more. Rafael Benitez is wise to the ploy and the already-booked Jack Colback is withdrawn. Siem De Jong comes on in his place. Sensible move. 

This shows you how much of Sunderland's play has been about getting right-winger Fabio Borini on the ball. A deliberate ploy to expose Jack Colback? 

Image source, Opta

Jack Colback fouls Fabio Borini once again on the Sunderland right wing. The Newcastle left-back is walking a tightrope. Borini then shoots from range, but it's about a foot wide. 

This is a belter of a save. Wahbi Kazri makes inroads into the Newcastle area, loses the ball, but Patrick van Aanholt follows up and smashes a shot towards goal which Rob Elliot brilliantly tips over. 

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger for 5 live Sport

"St James' Park is strangely quiet. Daryl Janmaat went over to take a corner and roused the fans and that has had an effect on the players. They need Ayoze Pérez on the ball, he is their most creative outlet."

Andros Townsend, easily Newcastle's best player, bursts down the right and crosses to Moussa Sissoko. Unfortunately his team-mate makes a right hash of his volley and it's easily gathered by Vito Mannone.  

Newcastle growing is confidence. Moussa Sissoko gathers the ball on the left wing, turns inside and delivers a nice cross to Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the Serb's glancing header is well taken by Vito Mannone. 

Image source, Getty Images

Jack: Where would Sunderland be without Jermaine Defoe? Most underrated performer of the season, great signing. 

Kaushik Gorai: Fans nowadays are too quick to raise expectations and increase pressure. Give the manager time. Have some patience and faith.  

Rob Gibson: In Australia, can't even watch the second half because I am too angry and it's upsetting my family, disgruntled Newcastle fan.

Jonjo Shelvey is the latest Newcastle player to go into the book, as he hacks down Jan Kirchhoff after the big German recovered the ball well. 

Image source, Reuters

Image source, AP

Rafael Benitez has started with his customary 'birdie-song' hand gestures. With a little bit of this and a little bit of that, maybe he can sense something?

Off the line. Andros Townsend takes the corner, it's flicked on and Ayoze Perez's shot comes back across goal with the ball cleared off the line by Yann M'Vila. That's just what the home team needed. 

Image source, Reuters

Still a sombre silence inside St James' Park but Daryl Janmaat wins an early corner and get the fans going. 

No changes from either team, as Newcastle give the ball away cheaply. 

MS: NUFC players just don't seem to care - they'll still get their ridiculously high wages if they lose.

Pete Roach: Newcastle are a team in trouble. It's right there in black & white.

Aaman Khan: Aren't Sunderland the *Black* cats amongst the pigeons for Newcastle? 

Matt Blazey: Time to start preparing for the championship. There's nothing positive to take from that half of football. 

Image source, Reuters

Newcastle get us under way. Can they find an equaliser?