Almost a terrible mistake by Mbemba! Borini, who is the only player inside the Newcastle half of the pitch, muscles his way down the left flank as he tries to carve out a late chance on goal. It initially looks as if he's unable to do so but he then breaks past the Congolese defender, who completely falls asleep, but he's unable to get a shot away before the danger is cut out by Elliot at the near post.
90' +3
Mitrovic is back on his feet and looks absolutely desperate to get back on to the pitch, but Benitez and the Newcastle medical team are adamant that he needs further treatment. The Serbian striker isn't having any of it, however, and is practically barging his way past them to rejoin the action!
90' +2
Ouch! Anita breaks down the right wing on a great run before swinging a lovely cross into the middle of the penalty area. Mitrovic rises high and tries to meet it before being clattered into by Kone, sending him flying to the ground and only half concious. The players immediately call for the medical staff, who sprint on to the pitch to see to the Serbian striker.
90'
V. Mannone gets yellow.
Sunderland win themselves a free-kick deep down the right wing after a strong challenge from Mitrovic and Mannone takes his time with it, resulting in him receiving a late booking for time-wasting.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
89'
Play gets underway once again as Newcastle immediately bomb forward. They work the ball around quickly down the left flank before a looping cross is sent into the penalty area, but O'Shea is there to cut out the danger before winning his side a free-kick after being clattered into by Mitrovic, who looks incredibly hungry for a second goal.
87'
There's a brief break in play as Van Aanholt receives medical attention for what looks like cramp. The Newcastle fans and players aren't at all happy, however, as they believe that the Dutchman has deliberately gone down to waste time and deny the hosts from capitalising on the momentum gained from their goal.
85'
The Newcastle fans are roaring as their team fly forward on yet another dangerous attacking move. They work the ball around well before Shelvey tries to test Mannone with a thumping strike from 25 yards out, but it's underhit and is sent straight into the hands of the goalkeeper in the middle of the goal.
84'
L. Cattermole enters the game and replaces J. Kirchhoff.
A. Mitrović gets yellow.
Sunderland have made a late substitution, with Cattermole coming on to replace Kirchhoff.
Mitrovic receives a yellow card for taking his shirt off whilst celebrating, but he won't mind at all!
83'
A. Mitrović has scored a goal for Newcastle United! Assist by G. Wijnaldum.
Assist Georginio Wijnaldum
GOAL! Newcastle have equalised! Wijnaldum, who has been largely quiet today, twists and turns deep down the right wing before whipping a lovely cross towards the far post. It finds Mitrovic, who does wonderfully well to rise high above Yedlin before sending a brilliant header past Mannone and into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. St. James' Park is buzzing!
82'
Brave goalkeeping by Mannone! A looping cross from the left wing is only half dealt with by O'Shea, allowing Shelvey to send in another from the right-hand side of the Sunderland penalty area. It's well hit and finds Cisse, but the striker is just a yard or so offside and the linesman's flag is quickly raised just as the Italian goalkeeper is clattered into whilst grabbing the ball at the near post.
Minute
Description
80'
Shelvey picks up the ball in a pocket of space 30 yards away from the Sunderland goal and sends a lovely chipped pass into the middle of the penalty area. It looks set to find Mitrovic, but the Serbian is out-muscled by Kone and O'Shea, who do well to make sure that the ball bounces into the safe hands of Mannone.
78'
Defoe breaks into the Newcastle box on a rare foray forward before dinking a lovely chipped pass over to M'Vila at the far post. The Frenchman is unable to get a quick shot away but does do well to fire a low cross off the foot of Shelvey and out for a corner, which, understandably, Sunderland take their time with.
76'
P. Cissé enters the game and replaces A. Townsend.
Cisse makes his return after nearly four months out and receiving a rousing round of applause from the Newcastle fans as he replaces Townsend.
75'
D. N'Doye enters the game and replaces W. Khazri.
Sunderland have made an attacking change, with Khazri making way for N'Doye for the final quarter of an hour.
Chance for Perez! Sissoko muscles his way into the left-hand side of the Sunderland penalty area before poking a pass over to the Spaniard, who quickly unleashes a shot towards goal but sees his thumping effort deflect off Kone and out of play for a corner.
74'
Newcastle continue piling bodies forward as they desperately try to find an equaliser, but nothing seems to be going right for them today. They quickly move the ball around deep inside the Sunderland half of the pitch as they aim to find a way through the sea of green shirts in front of them, but Shelvey ends up firing a tame shot into the hands of Mannone.
73'
J. O'Shea enters the game and replaces Y. Kaboul.
Kaboul seems to have picked up a slight injury, and he makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by O'Shea, who has never been on the losing side when playing against Newcastle.
72'
Townsend picks up the ball on the right wing and quickly cuts inside before finding Perez. The Spaniard is in a pocket of space just outside of the Sunderland penalty area and isn't closed down quick enough by the visitors, but his rushed strike is poor and ends up sailing high and wide of the goal.
71'
V. Anita enters the game and replaces D. Janmaat.
Newcastle have made their second substitution of the afternoon, with Anita coming on to take the place of Janmaat.
70'
Townsend, who has arguably been Newcastle's biggest creative threat this afternoon, breaks down the right channel on a great run before sending a dangerous low cross into the Sunderland box, but there's nobody there to meet it and it ends up rolling straight into the hands of Mannone before it can find a black and white shirt.
69'
Ball after ball is being flung into the middle of the Sunderland penalty area, but Newcastle's crosses have let them down today and they're proving to be easy for Sunderland to deal with. This time it's Janmaat who clips a hopeful one towards the penalty spot, but it's comfortably cut out by Kaboul before Borini fires the ball away from danger.
68'
Perez, who has looked far better during the second half, breaks down the left wing on a great run and does well to earn his side a corner. Shelvey steps up and curls it into the penalty area, but it's sent too near to Mannone and, as a result, the Italian is easily able to cut out the danger on the edge of the six-yard box.
67'
Sissoko and Perez link up well on the left-hand side of the Sunderland box before the Spaniard whips a low cross into the feet of De Jong. The Dutchman controls it well but is unable to spin round Kaboul, which allows Kone to pick his pocket before kick-starting a quick counter-attack.
65'
Perez twists and turns on the left-hand side of the Sunderland penalty area as he tries his hardest to weave his way through a sea of green shirts. He's unable to do so but is still able to get a shot away, however, but it isn't struck at all sweetly and sails straight into the hands of Mannone in the middle of the goal.
63'
De Jong immediately wins his side a free-kick after being clattered into as soon as he comes on the pitch, but Shelvey's cross from the set-piece is poor and sails over everyone inside the Sunderland penalty area before bouncing out for a goal-kick.
62'
S. de Jong enters the game and replaces J. Colback.
Colback makes way for De Jong in Newcastle's first substitution of the game. It looks as if Sissoko is going to play at left-back, whilst the newly-introduced Dutchman will operate just behind Mitrovic.
61'
After spending the last few minutes on the back foot, Newcastle are finally able to push forward on an attack of their own due to Sunderland dropping off ever so slightly. They initially move the ball around well before Townsend tries to tee up Janmaat, but his pass is poor and rolls out of play for a goal-kick.
60'
It's all Sunderland at the moment as they continue to put Newcastle under an incredible amount of pressure. Borini, who has been finding an increasing amount of joy when battling against Colback, cuts inside from the left wing and heads towards the penalty spot before firing a rocket of a shot towards the bottom left-hand corner of the net, but it's slightly mishit and flies several yards wide of its intended target.
58'
What a save by Elliot! Khazri muscles his way down the left flank as he barges his way into the left-hand side of the Newcastle penalty area. He then pokes the ball through the legs of Janmaat and into the path of Van Aanholt, who unleashes an almighty strike that the goalkeeper is somehow able to tip over the top of the crossbar with a wonderful diving stop.
56'
And now Sissoko is presented with a great opportunity! Newcastle come back again, this time through Townsend, who darts down the right wing before curling a cross towards the far post. It finds the Frenchman, who peels off into space before receiving the ball, but his attempted volley is completely mishit and bounces straight into the hands of Mannone.
54'
Chance for Mitrovic! Sissoko finds himself in a pocket of space down the left flank and quickly heads towards goal before sending a looping cross into the middle of the Sunderland penalty area. The Serbian striker does well to beat Kaboul to the ball before heading it towards goal, but Mannone does well to stop his effort from finding the back of the net.
52'
J. Shelvey gets yellow.
After dealing well with the danger, Janmaat tries to fly forward on a quick run through the middle of the pitch, but he's swiftly closed down and has his pocket picked by an excellent sliding tackle by Kirchhoff. The German then spins and tries to tee up a teammate, but before he can do so he's clattered into by a hefty challenge from Shelvey, who receives a yellow card as a result.
51'
Sunderland come back again as they try to find joy down the left flank, but this time it's Townsend who Van Aanholt isn't able to beat, and the winger does well to dispossess the Dutchman before kick-starting a quick counter-attack for the hosts.
49'
Khazri and Van Aanholt link up well on the left-hand side of the Newcastle penalty area before the Tunisian tees up the Dutchman with a well-placed poked pass. The full-back then tries to beat Mbemba at the near post, but the defender comes out on top and dispossesses his opponent with a well-timed tackle.
47'
Off the line by M'Vila! Newcastle quickly push forward on a determined attack down the right flank before earning themselves a corner, which is curled into the heart of the penalty area. Mannone completely misses the ball before it's headed towards goal by Perez, but the French midfielder is there to fire it away from danger at the vital moment.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45' +1
Newcastle push forward on one last attacking move of the first half as they quickly work their way down the left flank. Colback gets himself into a good position before trying to swing a cross into the penalty area, but it deflects off Yedlin and out for a corner, but the referee brings the first period to an end before the set-piece can be taken.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
J. Defoe has scored a goal for Sunderland!
GOAL! Sunderland have taken the lead, right at the end of the first half! Khazri whips the corner out to Borini, who is completely unmarked just outside of the penalty area. The Italian immediately fires an excellent long-range strike that Elliot is just about able to stop with a strong save. The Newcastle defence fall asleep and are unable to fully clear the danger, however, and the ball ends up bouncing over to Defoe, who is completely unmarked and able to control it before blasting a shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
43'
Borini twists and turns on the right-hand side of the Newcastle penalty area before teeing up Yedlin, but his pass is slightly too late and can only find Colback, who then pokes the ball out of play for Sunderland's third corner of the game.
41'
Mitrovic does well to hold up the ball on the left wing before spinning and working it back to Shelvey. The midfielder then quickly tees up Mbemba, who spots space in front of him and immediately charges into it. He breaks forward on a positive run and heads towards the penalty area, but instead of trying to pick out a teammate with a pass he unleashes a fierce, 25-yard strike that sails comfortably over the top of the crossbar.
39'
A bouncing pass forward from Kirchhoff almost finds Khazri, but, despite slipping, Mbemba is just about able to blast it out for a throw-in. It's sent to Borini, who then plays a one-two with Yedlin before sending a cross into the middle of the Newcastle box, but it's fired too near to Elliot and it's easily collected by the goalkeeper.
37'
Great strike by Khazri! Borini weaves his way forward before being fouled 30 yards away from the Newcastle goal. It's just about in shooting range and the Tunisian winger decides to do just that, but his curling shot ends up bouncing just wide of the near post after beating the outstretched limbs of Elliot.
36'
D. Janmaat gets yellow.
Janmaat cynically tries to pull back Kirchhoff as he breaks away on a quick counter-attack and becomes the latest player to receive a yellow card.
35'
Mbemba breaks forward before picking out Perez, but the Spaniard is fouled by Van Aanholt before he can spin and find a teammate. Shelvey takes the free-kick quickly and fires it into the chest of Mitrovic, but the striker's clever knock-down fails to find Townsend and is cut out by Kirchhoff at the vital moment.
33'
Khazri sends the resulting free-kick deep into the Newcastle penalty area and towards the towering figure of Kirchhoff, but Elliot does well to charge out and collect the ball before it can find the head of the German.
32'
Khazri picks up the ball near to the halfway line on the left wing and is immediately clattered into by a late challenge from Janmaat, leaving him in a heap on the floor and in plenty of pain. It initially looks as if the Dutchman is going to receive a yellow card, but the referee decides to give him a stern talking to, despite Kaboul's protestations.
30'
So close from Shelvey! Perez picks up the ball just outside of the Sunderland penalty area and nutmegs Kaboul before being tripped over by the defender, resulting in a free-kick for Newcastle in an incredibly dangerous position. After spending an age eyeing up the target, the former Swansea City midfielder steps up and unleashes a wonderful curling strike that beats the wall before flying mere inches wide of the far post.
28'
Wijnaldum breaks forward on a great run through the middle of the pitch before working the ball out to Sissoko on the left wing. The Frenchman takes a quick touch before whipping a cross towards the penalty spot, but it's well cut out by Mannone before it can find Mitrovic, who had beaten Kaboul after the centre-back slipped over in front of goal.
26'
Newcastle work the ball around patiently as they work their way down the right flank, and, despite being under pressure from a group of Sunderland players, Janmaat is eventually able to swing a cross into the visitors' penalty area. It's poorly hit, however, and sails straight into the hands of Mannone.
24'
Defoe holds up the ball up well midway inside the Newcastle half of the pitch before being dragged to the ground by Mbemba, and Sunderland are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position as a result. Khazri steps up and picks out Kaboul with a dinked cross into the penalty area, but the big centre-back is unable to send his header towards goal.
22'
Inches away from Defoe! Sunderland work the ball around quickly just outside of the Newcastle penalty area before Khazri is picked out in space on the right-hand side of the box. He then fires a low pass across the face of goal and towards the back post, but it ends up missing the striker's outstretched foot by the narrowest of margins. Any sort of contact would surely have sent that flying into the back of the net!
20'
And now Townsend almost puts Newcastle in front! The winger has been finding plenty of joy down the right flank, where he's constantly causing problems for Van Aanholt. This time, he cuts inside and weaves his way through a sea of green shirts before firing a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Mannone is just about able to parry it away from danger with a save that doesn't look entirely comfortable.
19'
So close from Defoe! The resulting free-kick is taking quickly and sent short before Yedlin picks out Rodwell with a smart through-ball into the penalty area. The midfielder then cuts a great pass back to the striker, who is in a wonderful position in front of goal, but he can only blast his first-time shot just wide of the near post.
18'
J. Colback gets yellow.
Borini sprints down the right flank on a great run before skipping past Colback, but just as he beats the makeshift full-back he's clattered by an outstretched foot from the former Sunderland man, who receives a yellow card and a two-game suspension as a result.
16'
Tentative play from Newcastle denies them the opportunity to work the ball out of their own half of the pitch and forces them into playing it all the way back to Elliot. Lascelles' pass isn't the greatest and is quickly cut down by M'Vila, who forces Elliot into firing his rushed clearance out of play for a throw-in on the left flank.
14'
Great chance for Sissoko! Townsend breaks down the right wing on an excellent run before swinging a dangerous cross into the box. It bounces past both Kone and Mitrovic, who are involved in a wrestling match in front of goal, before falling to the Frenchman, but his first-time volley ends up sailing well wide of the goal. Newcastle are able to regain possession, however, and work the ball over to Shelvey on the edge of the penalty area, but the midfielder's thumping strike ends up flying the wrong side of the near post.
12'
Lovely one-touch football from Sunderland sets up Van Aanholt to charge into the space left behind by Janmaat down the left wing, but Mbemba does well to dart out and dispossess the Dutch left-back with a well-timed sliding tackle just outside of the penalty area.
10'
And now Kone goes close! This time, Khazri's cross from the resulting corner is far better than his last one, and it finds the centre-back in acres of space near to the penalty spot. He rises high and sends a looping header towards goal, but Elliot is able to watch the effort sail comfortably wide of its intended target.
9'
Good save by Elliot! Borini is pushed to the ground by Colback, and Sunderland are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position deep down the right wing. It's curled into the penalty area, where it finds Rodwell, but the midfielder's great header is tipped over the top of the crossbar by a strong stop from the Newcastle goalkeeper.
8'
What a chance for Mitrovic! Khazri commits a cynical challenge in the middle of the pitch, resulting in a free-kick for the hosts that they take quickly. It's worked out to Townsend, who charges down the right flank before sending a brilliant cross into the middle of the Sunderland penalty area, where it finds the Serbian striker. He beats Kone with ease before unleashing a first-time volley from the edge of the six-yard box, but he can only send it a yard or two over the top of the crossbar.
7'
Borini muscles his way down the right wing as he battles with Wijnaldum, and the Italian does well to win his side their first corner of the game. It's horrendously hit, however, and fails to beat the Dutch midfielder at the near post, allowing him to break away on yet another counter-attack.
6'
After spending the opening five minutes largely on the back foot, Newcastle are finally able to push forward and they do so well through Janmaat. The Dutchman charges down the right wing before whipping a looping cross into the Sunderland box, but Mannone is there to cut out the danger with a well-timed catch.
5'
Sunderland push forward again through Van Aanholt, who cuts inside from the left flank before trying to pick out M'Vila. He's unable to do so before being dispossessed by Wijnaldum, who flies forward on a swift counter-attack down the right wing. He then plays a quick one-two with Townsend before trying to find the winger again, but they're not on the same wavelength and the Dutchman's pass ends up rolling down the flank and away from danger.
3'
Early chance for Defoe! After an even start to the game from both sides, Sunderland patiently work the ball down the left flank before Van Aanholt fires a well-placed cross over to the far post, where it finds Borini. The Italian brings it down well before knocking a pass into the feet of the striker, who spins quickly and fires a close-range volley that flies a few yards over the top of the crossbar.
1'
And we're off! Sunderland, playing in their green away kit, get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St. James’ Park.
Due to the precarious positions that the two sides currently find themselves in, today’s Tyne-Wear is arguably one of the biggest and most important in recent memory. Difficult seasons for Newcastle and Sunderland have left them languishing near the bottom of the table, and, with just nine games left to play, both are in real danger of being relegated. Just one point currently separates them heading into this afternoon’s huge clash, and it is the hosts who are in worst form as a result of a miserable five-week period. The Magpies are now without a single point in their last four Premier League games after last weekend’s 1-0 defeat against Leicester City in Rafa Benitez’s first game in charge, whilst just one of their last seven has ended in a victory. During that time they have conceded 15 goals, scoring just four in the process. Injuries have hit them hard and has left their back four looking nervous and shaky to say the least, and whilst they showed positive signs in last weekend’s loss against the league leaders, their new boss will be well aware that he has a lot of work to do if he is to save them from dropping down to the second tier.
They may head to St. James’ Park ahead of their fierce rivals in the Premier League table, but things look just as bleak for Sunderland, who once again find themselves inside the relegation zone after Norwich City’s big win against West Bromwich Albion yesterday. However, after suffering a difficult end to 2015, the Black Cats have performed better since the start of the year, and that has particularly been the case over the past month and a half. A decent run of form - which was made even better by last month’s 2-1 win at home to Manchester United - has resulted in Sam Allardyce’s side losing just one of their last five league games, only the second time they have done so all season. Nonetheless, inconsistency is still plaguing the former Newcastle manager’s side and, with just one from their last eight, wins are proving hard to come by. They still have to face Leicester, Arsenal, Stoke City and Chelsea before the end of the season, so clashes like today’s are absolute must-wins if they are to have any chance of pulling themselves out of the relegation zone.
Tyne-Wear derbies have been happy occasions for Sunderland over the past few years, and they head into the 156th meeting between the two sides with recent history firmly on their side. Last October saw them comfortably beat their fierce rivals 3-0 to extend their derby winning streak to six games, and during that time they have scored a whopping 21 goals, with Newcastle managing just one in reply. It’s now almost four and a half years since the Magpies last beat the Black Cats, whilst their last derby victory at St. James’ Park - a 5-1 thrashing made possible by a Kevin Nolan hat-trick - came way back in October 2010.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Sunderland XI (4-1-4-1): Mannone; Yedlin, Kone, Kaboul, Van Aanholt; Kirchhoff; Borini, M’Vila, Rodwell, Khazri; Defoe.
Newcastle United substitutes: Darlow, Taylor, Anita, Saivet, Riviere, Cisse, De Jong.
Newcastle United XI (4-2-3-1): Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Lascelles, Colback; Sissoko, Shelvey; Townsend, Wijnaldum, Perez; Mitrovic.
Rafa Benitez has decided to make two changes to the Newcastle side that started the 1-0 defeat against Leicester last weekend, with Chancel Mbemba and Andros Townsend coming into the starting line-up to replace Steven Taylor and Vurnon Anita, respectively.
Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has decided to make just one alteration to the side that featured in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Southampton, with Dame N’Doye making way for Jermain Defoe, who scored the equaliser in last weekend’s game after replacing the Senegalese striker in the second half.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off. The atmosphere inside the stadium is electric, with both sets of fans in fine voice.
HALF-TIME: NEWCASTLE UNITED 0-1 SUNDERLAND
It's been a hard-fought first half with both sides enjoying their fair share of chances in front of goal, but Sunderland have arguably been the better of the two and head into the break with a well-deserved one-goal lead. They've looked particularly dangerous down the right wing, where Borini's pace and skill has caused Colback problems on several occasions, whilst Defoe has constantly made a nuisance of himself in the middle of the penalty area. At the other end, Mitrovic has been presented with two good opportunities to score, but both times he failed to take them due to good defending by the visitors, who have looked far more compact and well-organised than they have in recent weeks.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: NEWCASTLE UNITED 1-1 SUNDERLAND
The referee blows his whistle and brings an end to another thoroughly enjoyable Tyne-Wear derby, one that, under the circumstances, deserved to end 1-1. Sunderland were the winners of the first half but Newcastle did wonderfully well to fight back in the second period as the visitors began to sit deep and tire. Townsend and Sissoko looked particularly dangerous, resulting in Mitrovic finally finding the back of the net after having a tough afternoon up until then. From then onwards it looked as if the hosts might be able to find a late winner, but the Black Cats were just about able to hold on and did well to leave with a well-earned point.
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