Live Commentary

Last Updated at 2:28 pm, March 4th 2012

1. A magnificent game for the neutrals ends in hugs and handshakes as Ameobi rescues a point for the Magpies in a thrilling Tyne-Wear derby. Thanks for your company and I'll see you all soon.

2. FULL TIME. Newcastle 1 Sunderland 1.

3. 90+5

   The corner causes complete confusion as Sunderland scramble it away before a foul is given against Newcastle. That should be all she wrote at St James' Park.

4. 90+4

   Sunderland have everyone back as they try and keep Newcastle out, with Gutierrez's ball into Cabaye brilliantly defended by Turner!

5. 90+3

   Newcastle deserve their goal but O'Neill will be furious as Bridge comes on and makes a crucial mistake in allowing Ameobi in to convert. Two minutes left for either side to snatch a winner.

6. 90+1

   It's a ball in from Gutierrez that is knocked on by Lovenkrands, with Bridge poorly letting in Ameobi at the far post who coolly slots in the equaliser!

7. 90+1

   GOAL! Ameobi scores!

8. 90+1

   Five minutes of time added on!

9. 90

   Tiote pushes his luck with a foul on McClean right in front of Riley but it looks accidental on the replay and the Ivory Coast man avoids a second booking.

10. 89

    Taylor is subtituted as Peter Lovenkrands takes to the field.

11. 88

    Ben Arfa uses his trickery to create a yard, playing in Cabaye who only fire over as time continues to run out for the Magpies.

12. 87

    The Sunderland fans are the ones making all the noise as the Toon faithful seem consigned to defeat, as Gutierrez's touch eludes him as he tries to find Ba.

13. 85

    Richardson is replaced by Wayne Bridge to boost Sunderland's defensive efforts.

14. 85

    Campbell was booked for that tackle on Amoebi that led to the penalty.

15. 84

    Ameobi, this time, has a pop but Sunderland have 11 men behind the ball as they desperately stick any body part in the way to clear, with Mignolet able to celebrate after his terrific reflex save!

16. 83

    Mignolet saves Ba's penalty superbly, and from the resulting corner Ameobi can only hit wide!

17. 82

    Campbell inexplicably slides on Ameobi in the area and Ba will take the spot-kick!

18. 82

    Penalty to Newcastle!

19. 81

    Krul is urged to shoot on the half way line after O'Shea's clearance from Taylor's free-kick, but it's another corner with backs to the wall for Sunderland now.

20. 80

    Pressure from Newcastle forces Richardson into a shocking clearance, as a foul is then awarded, for a reason that no-one seems to know.

21. 79

    Ben Arfa makes another surging run, claiming a penalty after his run is cut short by McClean. He has been a massive influence since arriving at the break.

22. 78

    Ben Arfa is again wonderful as he sells Richardson for a fool before firing at the near post drawing a smart save from Mignolet.

23. 77

    There are further appeals for a penalty against O'Shea, but it would have been harsh, as a corner is given which Sunderland again defend.

24. 76

    Bardsley has been really impressive as he again slides on Gutierrez, the right-back really stepping up his game in the last 15 minutes.

25. 75

    Ben Arfa is incredible as he skins McClean and Turner, winning a corner for Newcastle, which is uncharacteristically awful from Cabaye.

26. 73

    Larsson is taken off and local boy Jack Colback replaces the Swedish winger.

27. 73

    Cabaye audaciously shoots from 30 yards. High and wide from the Magpies midfielder.

28. 72

    Meanwhile for Newcastle, Cisse is taken off as Shola Ameobi takes to the field.

29. 72

    Bendtner is withdrawn as the speedy England new-boy Fraizer Campbell arrives.

30. 71

    Newcastle are camping out in Sunderland's half as they look to exploit their numerical advantage, with Sunderland really struggling to make any forward movement.

31. 70

    Cabaye tries a speculative effort but Mignolet is more than equal to it, as Newcastle continue to dominate exchanges all over the pitch right now.

32. 69

    This time Bardsley does well to knock Gutierrez out of his stride, while replays show that Newcastle should have indeed had a penalty after that handball by Turner.

33. 68

    Gutierrez is growing in stature on the left wing, as he bombards Bardsley before handball claims are made against Turner in the penalty area. Nothing occuring from Riley though.

34. 67

    Gardner is penalised for a tug on Cabaye, but their free-kick is poor as Cattermole intercepts and does well to win a foul on Tiote, who is booked for persistent fouling.

35. 66

    Gutierrez delivers a superb ball into the box, with Turner clearing before Tiote's drive takes a touch of Cisse and rolls behind goal.

36. 64

    Bendtner this time is left clutching his head as the fouls turn to injuries in this second half. He's back on his feet though.

37. 63

    Bardsley takes a knock from the corner, which Sunderland clear regardless through Turner.

38. 63

    Gutierrez draws a good challenge from Bardsley, which wins Newcastle a corner to be taken by Taylor.

39. 62

    Ben Arfa nearly finds Ba with a sublime through ball but Mignolet is equal to it as Ba fails to make contact.

40. 61

    Tiote again has a punt from 25 yards, but that blow must have disorientated him as he skies his effort is well over.

41. 60

    Tiote's fall was exaggerated but Sessegnon can have no complaints, as the Tyne-Wear derby sees it's first casualty.

42. 59

    The first red card of the day is shown, inevitably perhaps, as Sessegnon is shown a straight red card for an elbow on Tiote.

43. 58

    Sunderland come agonisingly close to scoring a second as Krul is the hero, first denying Sessegnon with a point blank save before getting in the way of McClean's rebounded strike!

44. 57

    Ba is hurled to the ground but the Magpies resume play instantly, with Tiote deciding to drive on the edge of the area that anti-climactically sails wide.

45. 56

    No foul is given despite Simpson's claims after he fell during a run, and Sunderland resume play with Sessegnon.

46. 55

    Sunderland look to break with Sessegon from the corner but Tiote performs his defensive duties superbly in breaking up the attack.

47. 54

    Sunderland can't get it clear as another delivery comes on from Gutierrez with Turner getiing his head on it to frantically clear behind.

48. 53

    Taylor's corner is met by the charging Bardsley but he has the chance to whip it in again, as this time Turner is the man to head away.

49. 52

    Gutierrez shatters a cross into Bardsley as Newcastle continue to impress since emerging at the break.

50. 51

    Gardner is claiming an elbow in the jaw from Gutierrez, before the next yellow card is shown to the complaining Sunderland man for a poor tackle on Coloccini.

51. 50

    Cisse helps on Krul's ball, but the striker is caught offside in the process.

52. 49

    Ba seems to have had a bum kicking at the break as he turns to find a yard past Turner before shooting a curling effort wide.

53. 48

    Cabaye and Ben Arfa link up as Newcastle start strongly, with a ball in avoiding contact with Cisse who should have buried it.

54. 47

    Great chance early on as Cisse delivers a peach of a ball into the box which Ba narrowly heads wide.

55. 46

    Ben Arfa is on at the break with Santon the man replaced for Newcastle.

56. 46

    Newcastle get the second half underway.

57. Ryan tweets: "The rise of James McClean could be a hollywood movie.. not getting the praise he deserves." Nic Cage takes any role these days, I'm sure he'd be up for it.

58. Bendtner's penalty is the difference at the break after a furious first half that has threatened to boil over multiple times. Send your second half predictions to jack.woodfield@bskyb.com or tweet @JWoodfield365

59. HALF TIME. Newcastle 0 Sunderland 1.

60. 45+3

    Taylor's free-kick is poor, travelling well wide of goal and that should be your lot for the first half.

61. 45+2

    Huge penalty claims are made as Ba takes a tumble in the box, before a free-kick IS given as Tiote is floored by Bardsley.

62. 45+1

    Cabaye can't find Ba on the side, while three minutes of time is added on.

63. 45

    Cisse and Ba nearly combine to great effect before Bardsley makes an essential sliding tackle. Newcastle are ending the half on top after a solid five minutes from the Toon.

64. 44

    Taylor, this time, gets the chance to let rip, the corner falling sweetly for the full-back who earns another corner, which Ba heads on to the crossbar!

65. 44

    The free-kick falls to Cabaye, who rifles an effort at goal which takes a touch of Turner for a corner.

66. 43

    Cabaye is back, and Newcastle win a free-kick on the half way line which Krul will boot upfield.

67. 41

    It was a tackle from Larsson that left Cabaye down, but the French midfielder hobbles to the side and should be fine to continue.

68. 40

    Cisse loses out to Bardsley, and while Cabaye is down struggling Sunderland continue play before the referee insists the ball be played out.

69. 39

    Taylor does well on the byline and earns a Newcastle a corner. Taylor delivers and Coloccini draws a fine save from Mignolet at the near post.

70. 38

    Newcastle venture forward smoothly, before Cattermole makes a crucial interception to prevent Cabaye breaking away.

71. 37

    Nothing's going right for Newcastle at the moment as Simpson looks for Santon with the left-back nowhere in sight.

72. 36

    The corner is cleared but Larsson gets a second chance to deliver with Coloccini again denying the ball reaching Sessegnon at the far post.

73. 35

    Gardner's effort on the edge of the box is deflected for a corner which Larsson will take.

74. 34

    McClean gets his cross in which is met by Coloccini. Sunderland have been impressive since taking the lead, with the Irish winger proving influential.

75. 33

    Bendtner makes a solid effort in shooting on the turn, with Krul diving to make a good save from the striker.

76. 32

    Bendtner nearly goes right through Coloccini but pulls away before making contact, before Tiote continues to sail close to the wind with a nudge on Sessegnon.

77. 31

    Gutierrez and Larsson exchange "words", as play resumes with a Sunderland throw-in.

78. 30

    Gutierrez stayed down after the tackle, whick Mike Riley deemed acceptable despite Toon fans' protests.

79. 29

    Larsson's cross is headed away by Coloccini, and Newcastle surge forward with Gutierrez who is floored by Bardsley on the side.

80. 28

    A succession of sloppy headers in the centre of the pitch eventually ends with McClean earning a questionable corner after a solid run down the wing.

81. 26

    Sunderland find space as Sessegnon breaks, before Gardner's shot is hounded down by Williamson. Newcastle need to pick up their game here as they are struggling in every area of the pitch.

82. 25

    Bendtner stays cool but Krul is unlucky as he was agonisingly close to reaching the strike.

83. 25

    GOAL! Bendtner converts the penalty!

84. 24

    Williamson is caught tugging down Turner which earns him a yellow card!

85. 24

    Penalty to Sunderland!

86. 23

    The fifth booking of the game now as Ba wildly lunges through Gardner. Incredible scenes.

87. 21

    O'Shea clears away after Turner's poor header allowed Cisse to cross in, with the dangerous Ba his target at the far post.

88. 20

    Sessegnon dispossesses Gutierrez but Gardner is pick-pocketed by Cabaye. The atmosphere at St James' Park is out of this world.

89. 19

    It's all kicking off now. McClean makes a horror tackle on Simpson which sparks both teams, and both managers to react, with the referee booking both McClean and Simpson.

90. 18

    Tiote makes a silly tackle on Cattermole, in what will surely be his last warning. The passion here is commendable but you get the feeling that one team could be down to 10 before the end of the game.

91. 17

    Bardsley inexpicably plays a shocking ball down the line, which lands nearer his manager than any other Sunderland player.

92. 16

    Simpson makes amends with a perfect slide to prevent McClean breaking down the left after Santon's pass was deflected across the park.

93. 15

    Simpson is penalised for charging through McClean, which arguably should have been the third booking of the game.

94. 14

    Newcastle knock the ball around nicely, without making too much progress, before the combative Cattermole tackles Ba impressively.

95. 13

    Cabaye earns the second booking of the game for a late slide on Bardsley. Feisty stuff this.

96. 12

    A loose pass from Gardner nearly plays Bardsley into trouble but the right-back keeps his compsure, as Bendtner plays in Larsson whose ball across goal is missed by Sessegnon in the six-yard box.

97. 11

    Krul claims Larsson's corner with ease and gets Newcastle forward with a long ball upfield.

98. 10

    Ba is back to clear the corner, but Sunderland are still in control as Sessegnon does well to keep the ball in before earning another corner.

99. 9

    Coloccini fouls Sessegnon, with Larsson whipping a free-kick from 25 yards which is charged down by Ryan Taylor, who moved considerably forward from the wall to block it.

100. 8

     Bardsley gets his head to Coloccini's ball as both teams struggle to settle early on, conceding possession far too frequently.

101. 7

     Sunderland's defence lets a long ball from Krul land between them but Ba can't capitalise as Bardsley comes across to claim possession.

102. 6

     Simpson is the man this time to make a questionable tackle, with Cattermole the man going down. Free-kick to Sunderland.

103. 5

     A corner follows the free-kick, but multiple cases of player pushing, largely from Tiote on Mignolet result in a Sunderland goal kick.

104. 4

     Santon cuts across Bardsley but the Sunderland cannot avoid making the foul and Newcastle have a free-kick 25-yards out.

105. 3

     Gardner searches for Sessegnon on the left but Coloccini comes across to intercept.

106. 2

     Tiote hobbles to the sidelines as Newcastle resume play with the free-kick in their own half.

107. 1

     Lee Cattermole needs just 45 seconds to be booked, making a hideous challenge on Cheick Tiote. His tenth booking of the season, which means he will miss Sunderland's next match.

108. 1

     Sunderland get the game underway.

109. Zach Kingsbury writes: "Tough one to call today, Sunderland will hope to shake themselves off and redeem themselves after their drubbing from West Brom. Newcastle on the toher hand are in a strong position and wil feel confident. I think it's gunnabe a 2-2 draw with Ba scoring both for Newcastle and Larsson and Sessognon on target for Sunderland."

110. Lewis Foskett writes: "What a game this is set out to be! Newcastle flying high at the top heading for a European place while Sunderland have targets of their own under Martin...Considering both teams poor performances last week this is going to be a fantastic game. 3-1 Newcastle with Cisse, Ba and Taylor scoring for Newcastle and I'm going with an own goal or dodgy deflection for Sunderland! Come on Toon!"

111. Newcastle boss Alan Pardew names an unchanged team as he looks to complete a derby double over neighbours Sunderland. Pardew keeps faith with the men who squandered a 2-0 lead against Wolves to draw 2-2 last weekend, and that means another start for Ryan Taylor, the man whose free-kick secured a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light in August. O'Neill makes just one change to the side beaten 4-0 at West Brom as striker Nicklas Bendtner replaces midfielder Jack Colback, with new England international Fraizer Campbell among the substitutes.

112. Newcastle are maginal favourites with our friends at Sky Bet, their price at 5/4 reflecting that. Sunderland are 23/10 to secure Martin O'Neill his first derby win as Black Cats boss, while the draw is avaliable at 11/5.

113. And today's referee is the one and only Mike Dean (Wirral).

114. Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Ryan Taylor, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez, Ba, Cisse. Subs: Elliot, Guthrie, Ben Arfa, Lovenkrands, Perch, Shola Ameobi, Obertan.

115. Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, O'Shea, Turner, Richardson, Larsson, Cattermole, Gardner, McClean, Sessegnon, Bendtner. Subs: Gordon, Bridge, Campbell, Kilgallon, Colback, Vaughan, Meyler.

116. Here are the teams....

117. Welcome to the Sports Direct Arena (St James' Park) for the Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland. I'll be here to be provide live commentary throughout the game and publish your thoughts along the way. If you'd like to drop me a line you can e-mail jack.woodfield@bskyb.com or tweet @JWoodfield365

118. Kick off is at 1200 GMT...