Hello everyone. Welcome to LIVE text commentary of this afternoon's first Sunday game in the Premier League. And what better way to kick things off than with the Tyne-Wear derby?

Nothing comes from the corner and Newcastle can breathe again.

Wickham goes close again as he cuts inside from the left and drills a powerful low shot that Alnwick palms around his near post.

Cattermole doing his best to get Colback sent off by jumping out of Colback's challenge and then claiming he was fouled. Not good.

OFF THE BAR! What a goal this would have been for Sunderland! Larsson whips in a brilliant first time cross to Fletcher, who volleys against the top of the bar at full stretch. Almost a superb goal.

Another yellow card. This time it's former Sunderland man Jack Colback, who catches Jordi Gomez late.

Tiote is booked for a foul on Wickham. Seems a bit harsh but he has been fouling persistently during the opening 24 minutes here. That booking rules Tiote out of Newcastle's next game: vs Man Utd.

CHANCE! Johnson swings in a teasing free-kick from the right that reaches Wickham at the far post, but he heads wide. Wickham had to score there.

Good counter-attack by Sunderland. Tiote gets back to hold up Johnson but ends up fouling the winger - and the Black Cats have a chance from this free-kick.

Good pressure by Ameobi, who forces a corner for Newcastle. but Gouffran's ball in is short and hooked away.

Applause around the stadium in the 17th minute from both sets of fans in memory of John Alder and Liam Sweeney. Class.

Good play by Sunderland as Johnson receives the ball in the box. He twists and turns and tees up Larsson but the shot is blocked by Tiote.

CHANCE! Sissoko and Ameobi combine with a neat one-two and Sissoko gets into a shooting position but fires straight at Pantilimon. The game's first clear opening.

Newcastle have had the better of the game so far but the game is being fought in the middle of the park. Not a game for the feint-hearted, this.

Tackles flying in. Tiote late on Larsson this time. What are the odds on a red card?

Another booking. Coloccini is into the book for a knee in Steven Fletcher's lower back. Not nice, definite yellow.

Opening for Newcastle as Colback delivers an excellent free-kick to the far post, where Dummett meets it but heads straight at Pantilimon.

Colback is chopped down in central midfield. He'll have expected that today.

Sunderland's first attack. Johnson's deep cross from the right finds Wickham in the box, but his header back into the danger area is hooked away by Newcastle.