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?

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.

Some atmosphere at St James's Park today and a riproaring start by the home side as Perez finds space down the left side but drills his cross straight into the gloves of Pantilimon.

Dummett goes for goal from the resultin free-kick but it's high and wide.

Tackles are flying in today. O'Shea loses possession to Perez and Coates comes steaming in late and Coates, a late replacement, is shown yellow.

First free-kick is conceded by... yes, Lee Cattermole. He clatters into Janmaat and is lucky not to be carded. Could be a difficult day for the referee.

KICK OFF. Newcastle get us underway in the derby!

Late Sunderland change: Reveillere has limped off during the warm-up and will be replaced by Sebastian Coates at left-back..

We're five minutes away from kick off and the players have emerged from the tunnel at St James's Park. Who are you backing? Tweet me your predictions and thoughts on the game @mjdasilva

Sunderland are without a victory in their last six league matches - although they have drawn five of those games.

Newcastle have won four league games in a row at St James' Park - they have not won five successive games at home since April-August 2006.

Under Alan Pardew, Newcastle have never beaten Sunderland at home.

So a few stats for you... Sunderland are unbeaten in five league meetings with Newcastle and have won two consecutive Tyne-Wear derbies at St James's Park 3-0.

The news for Sunderland is that Steven Fletcher starts up front in place of Jozy Altidore.

The main team news for the hosts is that goalkeeper Jak Alnwick is passed fit for Newcastle who welcome back defender Daryl Janmaat and start with Ayoze Perez up front.

NEWCASTLE: Alnwick, Janmaat, Coloccini, S Taylor, Dummett, Sissoko, Colback, Tiote, Gouffran, Perez, Ameobi. Subs: Williamson, Cisse, Haidara, Cabella, Riviere, Armstrong, Woodman /// SUNDERLAND: Pantilimon, Vergini, Reveillere, O'Shea, Brown, Cattermole, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Wickham, Fletcher. Subs: Bridcutt, Rodwell, Altidore, Alvarez, Mannone, Coates, Buckley.

The team news is in and here's how the sides line up...