Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Tyne-Wear derby as Newcastle United play host to Sunderland in the Premier League. We should have some team news through for you shortly...

NEWCASTLE: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, S Taylor, Santon; Tiote, Sissoko, Anita; Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Elliot, Dummett, Haidara, Yanga-Mbiwa, Marveaux, Armstrong, de Jong

Newcastle, who begin officially begin life without Yohan Cabaye today, make just the one change following last weekend's goalless draw at Norwich City. Shola Ameobi comes into the side to partner brother Sammy up front as Loic Remy sits out the game through suspension. Meanwhile, loan signing Luuk de Jong makes the bench.

SUNDERLAND: Mannone; Bardsley, Alonso, Brown, O'Shea; Bridcutt, Colback, Ki, Johnson; Borini, Altidore

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Larsson, Gardner, Wickham, Giaccherini, Vergini, Scocco, Ustari

Big team news regarding Sunderland as Liam Bridcutt makes his debut following a deadline-day move from Brighton. What a chance for the midfielder to make himself an instant hero for the Black Cats. In fact, that's the only change for the visitors. Seb Larsson is the man to drop out. January signing Ignacio Scocco is also among the subs.

Needless to say, The North East is abuzz today as these two bitter rivals go head to head. This particular derby is always filled with passion and we expect nothing less this afternoon.

So, what's at stake for Newcastle and Sunderland? The Magpies are currently in eighth place in the table and will remain there unless they beat their neighbours by seven goals. A win for Sunderland would see the Black Cats move five points clear of the drop zone ahead of today's other matches.

RECENT FORM:

NEWCASTLE: LLLLWD
SUNDERLAND WWDLWW

Looking at the form guide, it's Sunderland who are most likely to be the more confident coming into this match. However, to use a shameless cliche, form goes out of the window when it comes to derbies.

New boy takes number 26... pic.twitter.com/K9BuVoqKfY — Sunderland AFC (@SAFCofficial) February 1, 2014

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet was delighted to have signed Bridcutt from former club Brighton yesterday. Here's a few words from the Uruguayan explaining the move to the Black Cats' official website:

"The idea with Liam is many, many things. One, how important it is to have a British player. It's important that we got him at that age and at the price we got him for, and he knows the way we want to play and understands the game. When you put it all together, it's a great acquisition."

Overall, it was a busy January transfer window for Sunderland as they were involved in a total of 14 deals. Five players came into the club on both loan and permanent transfers, while nine went the other way.

The same can't be said of Newcastle. Luuk de Jong was the only arrival at St James' Park following a loan switch, while Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez and Curtis Good all left. Gutierrez and Good both departed on loan, but it is the permanent move of Cabaye to Paris Saint-Germain that will hurt the team the most. The French midfielder has been a lynchpin for the side.

HEAD TO HEAD: Newcastle have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these sides with 51 wins to Sunderland's 44. Meanwhile, there have been 44 draws. However, Sunderland have ran out victors in the last two games, including last season's 3-0 drubbing here at St James' Park. Can they make it three in a row this afternoon?

7 - Shola Ameobi has scored more goals against Sunderland (7) than he has managed against any other Premier League opponent. Pumped. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 1, 2014

REFEREE WATCH: The man in charge of this afternoon's derby is Phil Dowd. He'll need to be firm with the players - there have been five red cards in the last seven games between the teams.

Just over 10 minutes until kickoff and there is a real sense of anticipation around St James' Park. There are plenty of Sunderland fans here who are making a real noise, but the Newcastle supporters are also in fine fettle.

PREDICTION TIME: How do you see this match going today? We here at Sports Mole can see it being an entertaining encounter with goals, but we've got Sunderland down to edge it 2-1. Newcastle have been pretty poor as of late and that could count against them this afternoon.

Around five minutes until this one gets underway and the players are just starting to emerge from their respective changing rooms. A few pensive faces among them.

KICKOFF! The players are out, the crowd is pumped, and it will be Newcastle to get us underway in the Tyne-Wear derby. Hold onto your hats!

CHANCE! An early opportunity for Newcastle, who have come flying out the blocks. Debuchy is found by Sissoko inside the box, but the French defender can only drag his shot wide on the angle.

CHANCE! Oh, that should be 1-0 to Sunderland! The visitors earn a free kick on the right side which Johnson whips into the box with real menace. Alonso rises highest from close range, but the January signing somehow heads over with no one around him. Judging by the look on his face, he knows he should have done better. It's been a great start to the game from both sides.

It's Sunderland who are looking the more dangerous at the moment. The visitors are showing plenty of attacking intent in the final third with Borini and Altidore linking well. Meanwhile, Newcastle are resorting to pumping the ball long when they're in possession.

Good pressure from Sunderland sees Colback's cross put out for a corner, which Ki takes. Krul gets absolutely nowhere near the ball as it comes in, but the Newcastle defence do enough to see it out of danger.

YELLOW CARD: The first booking of the matches goes the way of Sunderland captain John O'Shea for deliberate handball.

O'Shea's handball leads to a free kick in a threatening position for Newcastle. However, Santon's fierce effort from 25 yards goes straight into the arms of Mannone. A foot or two either side of the goalkeeper and that could have been a different outcome. The game is still nice and competitive.

Santon has another crack at goal, but this time his drive is a wild one that sails high over the crossbar. Cue sarcastic cheers from the Sunderland faithful. It's very hard to separate these teams right now. If anything, it's probably Newcastle who are just about on top.

Sunderland lead as Fabio Borini does it again in the derby! The penalty was initially awarded after Anita had clumsily brought down Bardsley. Borini stepped up to take the resulting kick and rammed it straight down the middle of the net. The Italian then goes into the book for his over-exuberant celebrations. A bit harsh.

3 - Fabio Borini has now scored in all three Premier League appearances against Newcastle United. Occasion. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 1, 2014

Would you believe it?! Sunderland now have a 2-0 lead thanks to Adam Johnson! Altidore did well to flick a long ball onto Colback who ran at the Newcastle defence before seeing his shot saved by Krul. However, there was Johnson to tap in the rebound from close range.

Newcastle just seem shell-shocked at the moment. The home fans are doing their best to get their team going, but it's just not working. Sunderland are looking far more confident on the ball and are posing a threat whenever they surge forward.

This is better from Newcastle. They're starting to show a bit more menace in the final third. Credit to them, they're not trying to rush themselves back into the match. Instead they're opting for a patient approach. The hosts win a corner following an error from Mannone, but they can't make anything of it.

YELLOW CARD: Newcastle's Davide Santon now goes into the book for cynically chopping down Johnson. That gives Sunderland the chance to pump a free kick into the box, but they fail to do any damage with it.

It's all getting very end to end as we head into the final 10 minutes of the half. Both teams are bombing forward whenever they can. However, there seems to be a sense of frustration creeping into the Newcastle players. One or two of them have shown some petulance during the last few minutes.

CHANCE! Almost a third for Sunderland. Borini and Altidore link inside the box before the latter twists and turns to work some space for himself. He does well to find a gap in the Newcastle defence, but his tame effort is easily saved by Krul.

Five minutes of normal time left in this first half and it's Sunderland who look firmly in control. Meanwhile, Newcastle are struggling to get out of their own half. The home side have shown some flashes of danger this afternoon, though they've been largely toothless up front.

Still no sign of a late surge from Newcastle as the half-time whistle looms. Alan Pardew has something of a pensive look on his face down on the touchline. He's sure to give his players a few choice words during the break.

Two minutes of added time at the end of the half...

Phil Dowd blows the half-time whistle and St James's Park echoes with boos as Sunderland go down the tunnel with a 2-0 lead over Newcastle. Fabio Borini opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 19 minutes before Adam Johnson doubled the away side's lead five minutes later. Plenty of work to do from a Newcastle perspective.

Make no mistake, Sunderland are fully deserving of their advantage. The visitors have been superior in almost every department and just looked like they've wanted it more.

PHOTO @borinifabio29 now has three goals in his three #BPL matches against Newcastle #NEWSUN pic.twitter.com/8md3H1kr9E — Premier League (@premierleague) February 1, 2014

UPDATE: Today's other early kickoff in the Premier League has seen West Ham United move into a 2-0 half-time lead over Swansea City at Upton Park. Kevin Nolan has been the hero for the Hammers, scoring both of their goals.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out for the second half and it will be Sunderland to kick us off. Luuk de Jong is on for his Newcastle debut, with Sammy Ameobi coming off for the visitors. Can the Dutchman make an instant impact?

Not exactly an explosive start to the second half from Newcastle, but they're in the ascendancy. Sissoko tries his luck with an audacious free kick from 30 yards that goes straight into the Sunderland wall. Not much of a chance. Still, there's a little bit more vim and vigour about the home side.

Not much in the way of involvement from De Jong so far. The Dutchman has arrived at St James's Park without a goal in 13 games for Borussia Monchengladbach so far this season. A goal today could be huge for Newcastle.

Sunderland win a free kick right on the edge of the box following a foul on Ki. Johnson steps up to take it and curls it narrowly over the crossbar. There were a few hearts in mouths there from a Newcastle perspective.

We're approaching the hour mark and Sunderland are looking fairly comfortable at the moment. They've been solid in defence this afternoon and still haven't been truly troubled in this second half. Tiote takes a snapshot from long range, but Mannone saves with ease.

CHANCE! Sunderland are knocking on the door. Colback receives the ball on the edge of the box and drills a low drive towards goal with his left foot. However, the midfielder, who has been excellent today, can only drag his effort inches wide of the post.

UPDATE! West Ham are still leading Swansea 2-0 at Upton Park, but Andy Carroll has been sent off for the Hammers.

SAVE! That's more like it from Newcastle! Tiote hits a stunning effort from long range that Mannone does brilliantly to tip away from danger. That would have burst the net had it gone past the Italian goalkeeper.

SUBSTITUTION: Newcastle make their second change of the afternoon as Paul Dummett replaces Davide Santon. Time is starting to run out for the Magpies. Can they get a goal back soon?

OFF THE POST! So close for Sunderland! Johnson does brilliantly to bob and weave his way into the Newcastle box. The winger manages to get a shot away with plenty of bodies around him, but his shot comes back off the far post.

Newcastle are starting to commit more men forward, leaving a lot of space at the back for Sunderland to exploit. A quick counter-attack ends with Ki smashing the ball wide from 25 yards. Newcastle then go up the other end with De Jong, though his weak shot goes straight to Mannone. The loan signing hasn't been successful as of yet, but he's certainly not afraid to have a go.

CHANCE! Almost a third for Sunderland! Sissoko is caught in possession, allowing Altidore to run through on goal. However, Krul is quick off his line and dives at the feet of the attacker to retrieve the ball. That could have been game over. As it stands, Newcastle still have a bit of hope.

SUBSTITUTION: Newcastle's final change of the match sees Vurnon Anita replaced by Sylvain Marveaux. Just over 15 minutes left for the Magpies to get something out of this game.

SUBSTITUTION: Now it's Sunderland's turn to make a change as Adam Johnson comes off for Sebastian Larsson. Johnson has been superb for the visitors today, giving Newcastle plenty of problems out wide.

Just like last season, Sunderland have a 3-0 lead over Newcastle at St James' Park. It's Jack Colback who gets the goal this time. A swift counter-attack sees Borini play in the midfielder who made no mistake with en emphatic finish into the roof of the net.

Unfortunately we've had a couple of Newcastle fans on the pitch following that third goal. There's plenty of unrest in the stands from the Newcastle fans, as you can imagine. This is turning out to be a bit of a nightmare day for the club.

Alan Pardew is still trying to encourage his players down on the touchline, but this game is over. One should imagine that he will have to answer quite a few questions after this match about the club's lack of action in the January transfer window.

YELLOW CARD: Newcastle's Paul Dummett goes into the book for a poor challenge on Bardsley. That was borne out of pure frustration from the defender.

SUBSTITUTION: Sunderland's final swap sees Craig Gardner enter the action in place of Fabio Borini, who has also been excellent for the away side.

Three minutes of added time at St James' Park...

Phil Dowd blows the final whistle and it's Sunderland who win the Tyne-Wear derby thanks to an emphatic 3-0 victory at St James' Park. Fabio Borini opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Adam Johnson and Jack Colback got on the scoresheet for the visitors. What a triumph for the Black Cats.

Anyway, that's all from me but don't forget that you can follow live text coverage of all today's other Premier League games right here on Sports Mole. We have links galore right here. Thank you very much for your company and enjoy the rest of your weekend. Goodbye!