Sunderland 0 - 1 Newcastle
Sebastian Larsson and Joey Barton were involved in first-half controversy
Newcastle continue to hold the upper hand in recent Wear-Tyne derbies after Ryan Taylor's goal earned them a narrow win over Sunderland.
The hosts were on top for periods but Joey Barton was denied a goal when his header struck Sebastian Larsson's arm.
It looked like that incident might prove pivotal but Taylor's fine free kick flew straight in on 62 minutes.
Stephane Sessegnon and Asamoah Gyan had chances for Sunderland, while Phil Bardsley was sent off late on.
The Black Cats right-back received his second yellow card for a crude challenge on Fabricio Coloccini a minute from the end, but although the game was keenly-contested it did not boil over.
Victory for Alan Pardew's team means that Newcastle have lost only one of the last 13 league games against their north-east rivals and it was Pardew's first since taking over last season.
The manager will be happy to earn three points during a taxing week following the events against Arsenal last weekend .
Referee Howard Webb may be content, too, that the incident involving Barton did not decide an otherwise tough but entertaining match.
Pardew delighted with derby win
Sunderland will be angry that they did not get reward for a game which they controlled in large chunks.
Steve Bruce's side set the tempo early on with Sessegnon causing bother by picking the ball up between Newcastle's midfield and defence.
And it wasn't long before the Benin international carved out the first chance, but his fierce shot was tipped over by Tim Krul.
Just as it looked as though a Sunderland goal may come, the tide was stemmed by a moment of controversy on 15 minutes.
From a corner Barton nodded Shola Ameobi's flick towards goal and it struck Larsson's arm just as it was heading for the top of the net.
The Swede did not look like he knew much about it, but replays justified Barton's sense of frustration and despite appeals from Newcastle's players to Webb and his assistant, the end result was a corner.
Yohan Cabaye was perhaps fortunate only to pick up a booking for a dangerous high foot tackle on Bardsley, and several players went into the book as the temperature rose on the pitch.
But Sunderland remained in the ascendancy as Sessegnon again worked Krul and Gyan clipped the top of the bar with a left-foot curler just before half-time.
That left Newcastle looking to break on the counter and target Ameobi from deep corners, and although Cabaye had a swerving shot saved, they made few inroads in the first half.
Sunderland began the second half in quieter fashion and that, along with Ryan Taylor's supreme accuracy swung the game back in favour of the visitors.
Bruce bemused by Sunderland display
Jonas Gutierrez was brought down for the free-kick which led to Taylor's strike.
From the left the stand-in left-back arrowed his kick into the top right corner, and although Steven Taylor aimed to get a touch on it at the back post, the ball flew straight in to send the Newcastle fans delirious.
Bookings for Sunderland skipper Lee Cattermole and Barton followed and the latter had the ball in the back of the net but was rightly ruled for offside.
Further chances came for Gyan and substitute Craig Gardner, who made his Sunderland debut.
But it was a welcome relief that Ryan Taylor's goal proved the difference rather than any moment of controversy.
While Bardsley's sending off was probably deserved, it served as a footnote and capped a frustrating afternoon for Sunderland.
Lineup, Bookings (7) & Substitutions (5)
Sunderland
- 22 Mignolet
- 02 Bardsley Dismissed after an earlier booking
- 05 Brown Booked
- 11 Richardson (Ji Dong-Won - 71' )
- 29 Ferdinand
- 06 Cattermole Booked
- 07 Larsson (Wickham - 81' )
- 14 Colback
- 27 Elmohamady (Gardner - 71' )
- 28 Sessegnon
- 03 Gyan
Substitutes
- 20 Westwood
- 19 Bramble
- 40 Laing
- 08 Gardner
- 15 Vaughan
- 10 Wickham
- 17 Ji Dong-Won
Newcastle United
- 26 Krul
- 02 Coloccini
- 05 Simpson
- 16 R Taylor Booked
- 27 S Taylor
- 04 Cabaye Booked (Williamson - 85' )
- 07 Barton Booked
- 18 Gutierrez
- 24 Tiote
- 23 Sh Ameobi
- 25 Obertan (Gosling - 85' )
Substitutes
- 01 Harper
- 06 Williamson
- 15 Gosling
- 22 Marveaux
- 11 Lovenkrands
- 19 Ba
- 20 Best
Live Text Commentary
Full Time The match has reached full-time.
90:00 +4:05Jonas Gutierrez fouled by Jack Colback, the ref awards a free kick. Cheik Tiote takes the direct free kick. Shola Ameobi delivers the ball, clearance by Anton Ferdinand. Corner taken short by Cheik Tiote.
90:00 +0:29Outswinging corner taken by Stephane Sessegnon from the right by-line played to the near post, Shola Ameobi makes a clearance. A cross is delivered by Stephane Sessegnon, Headed effort from inside the area by Asamoah Gyan misses to the left of the goal.
90:00 +0:17Lee Cattermole takes a shot. Dan Gosling gets a block in.
89:54The ball is crossed by Connor Wickham, Jonas Gutierrez gets a block in.
89:29Dan Gosling takes a shot. Save made by Simon Mignolet.
88:08Tim Krul takes the free kick.
88:08 DismissalDismissal Phillip Bardsley is sent off.
87:08Phillip Bardsley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Fabricio Coloccini.
84:25 SubstitutionSubstitution Dan Gosling is brought on as a substitute for Gabriel Obertan.
84:25 SubstitutionSubstitution Mike Williamson joins the action as a substitute, replacing Yohan Cabaye.
82:29Phillip Bardsley sends in a cross. Shot by Asamoah Gyan. Blocked by Steven Taylor. Outswinging corner taken by Stephane Sessegnon from the right by-line, Tim Krul makes a save.
82:20The ball is sent over by Phillip Bardsley, Fabricio Coloccini makes a clearance.
80:58Phillip Bardsley concedes a free kick for a foul on Shola Ameobi. Ryan Taylor takes the direct free kick.
80:58 SubstitutionSubstitution Sebastian Larsson leaves the field to be replaced by Connor Wickham.
79:27Centre by Phillip Bardsley, Craig Gardner takes a shot. Tim Krul makes a comfortable save.
78:22Cheik Tiote fouled by Stephane Sessegnon, the ref awards a free kick. Tim Krul takes the free kick.
77:38The referee gives a free kick against Ryan Taylor for handball. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Phillip Bardsley, Steven Taylor manages to make a clearance.
75:27Jonas Gutierrez takes a shot. Wes Brown gets a block in. Joey Barton is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Simon Mignolet. Asamoah Gyan has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the goal.
73:45Effort on goal by Asamoah Gyan from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.
The ball is sent over by Stephane Sessegnon, Tim Krul makes a comfortable save.
72:17Shola Ameobi takes a shot. Save by Simon Mignolet. Fabricio Coloccini challenges Sebastian Larsson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sebastian Larsson crosses the ball in from the free kick, Joey Barton manages to make a clearance.
71:42Craig Gardner challenges Joey Barton unfairly and gives away a free kick. Tim Krul takes the free kick.
70:06 SubstitutionSubstitution Dong-Won Ji replaces Kieran Richardson.
70:06 SubstitutionSubstitution Craig Gardner on for Ahmed Elmohamady.
67:54Ryan Taylor shoots direct from the free kick.
67:54 BookingBooking The referee books Phillip Bardsley for dissent.
67:35 BookingBooking Joey Barton receives a yellow card for dissent.
66:55 BookingBooking Lee Cattermole goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.
65:48Lee Cattermole challenges Jonas Gutierrez unfairly and gives away a free kick.
64:38Corner taken by Yohan Cabaye from the left by-line, Shola Ameobi takes a shot. Save made by Simon Mignolet.
64:09Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Sebastian Larsson.
64:00The ball is sent over by Ahmed Elmohamady, Steven Taylor gets a block in.
61:38Assist on the goal came from Jonas Gutierrez.
61:38 Goal scoredGoal - Ryan Taylor - Sunderland 0 - 1 Newcastle Ryan Taylor finds the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the top right corner of the goal. Sunderland 0-1 Newcastle.
60:36Jonas Gutierrez takes a shot. Save made by Simon Mignolet. Foul by Lee Cattermole on Jonas Gutierrez, free kick awarded. Joey Barton restarts play with the free kick,
59:38Danny Simpson produces a cross.
59:07The ball is crossed by Shola Ameobi, Lee Cattermole gets a block in.
58:57A cross is delivered by Yohan Cabaye.
55:02Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kieran Richardson by Shola Ameobi. Simon Mignolet takes the free kick.
54:36Joey Barton takes a shot. Wes Brown gets a block in.
53:32Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jonas Gutierrez by Phillip Bardsley. Free kick taken by Ryan Taylor.
52:36Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Simpson on Stephane Sessegnon. Kieran Richardson takes the direct free kick.
51:39Sebastian Larsson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Cheik Tiote. Direct free kick taken by Steven Taylor.
49:52Lee Cattermole challenges Cheik Tiote unfairly and gives away a free kick. Joey Barton takes the free kick.
49:38The ball is delivered by Ahmed Elmohamady, clearance by Danny Simpson.
47:46Cheik Tiote concedes a free kick for a foul on Sebastian Larsson. Free kick taken by Simon Mignolet.
46:56Danny Simpson sends in a cross, Jack Colback makes a clearance.
45:37Centre by Stephane Sessegnon, clearance made by Fabricio Coloccini. Corner taken right-footed by Sebastian Larsson, Joey Barton makes a clearance.
45:01The second half has started.
45:00 +2:29 Half timeHalf Time The ref blows to signal half-time.
45:00 +1:51Asamoah Gyan has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
42:28Phillip Bardsley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jonas Gutierrez. Free kick taken by Tim Krul.
42:21Lee Cattermole delivers the ball.
41:24Asamoah Gyan crosses the ball.
40:34Gabriel Obertan delivers the ball. The referee blows for offside. Simon Mignolet restarts play with the free kick.
39:27Sebastian Larsson sends in a cross.
37:16Free kick taken by Sebastian Larsson. Save by Tim Krul.
37:16 BookingBooking Ryan Taylor booked for unsporting behaviour.
36:31Stephane Sessegnon takes a shot. Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ahmed Elmohamady by Ryan Taylor.
38:02A cross is delivered by Kieran Richardson, Tim Krul makes a comfortable save.
37:16Direct free kick taken by Sebastian Larsson.
37:16 BookingBooking Ryan Taylor receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
36:31Effort from the edge of the area by Stephane Sessegnon goes wide of the right-hand post. Ryan Taylor challenges Ahmed Elmohamady unfairly and gives away a free kick.
35:50Ryan Taylor restarts play with the free kick.
35:50 BookingBooking Wes Brown receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
35:46Yohan Cabaye fouled by Wes Brown, the ref awards a free kick.
33:50Danny Simpson crosses the ball.
31:48Shot by Yohan Cabaye. Simon Mignolet makes a brilliant save. Corner taken left-footed by Yohan Cabaye. Tim Krul crosses the ball, Simon Mignolet makes a comfortable save.
31:24Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Shola Ameobi by Jack Colback. Fabricio Coloccini takes the free kick.
29:07Stephane Sessegnon takes a shot. Steven Taylor gets a block in. The ball is crossed by Asamoah Gyan.
28:12The ball is sent over by Jonas Gutierrez.
25:26Outswinging corner taken by Sebastian Larsson from the right by-line, Close range effort by Asamoah Gyan goes wide of the right-hand upright.
25:09The ball is crossed by Jack Colback.
24:31 BookingBooking Yohan Cabaye goes into the book.
23:21Yohan Cabaye concedes a free kick for a foul on Phillip Bardsley. Direct free kick taken by Simon Mignolet.
22:43Centre by Stephane Sessegnon. Ahmed Elmohamady produces a cross, comfortable save by Tim Krul.
21:40Unfair challenge on Ryan Taylor by Ahmed Elmohamady results in a free kick. Ryan Taylor restarts play with the free kick. The ball is swung over by Cheik Tiote.
20:47Asamoah Gyan crosses the ball, Phillip Bardsley has an effort at goal from outside the box missing to the wide left of the goal.
19:15Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Yohan Cabaye, Header from deep inside the area by Fabricio Coloccini goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
18:06Shola Ameobi fouled by Wes Brown, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ryan Taylor.
17:43The ball is swung over by Jack Colback, blocked by Steven Taylor.
16:13Lee Cattermole concedes a free kick for a foul on Joey Barton. Ryan Taylor takes the free kick. Shola Ameobi gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Lee Cattermole. Simon Mignolet takes the free kick.
14:52Joey Barton takes a shot. Sebastian Larsson gets a block in. Corner taken by Yohan Cabaye from the right by-line, clearance made by Asamoah Gyan.
14:41Shola Ameobi takes a shot. Joey Barton gets a block in.
13:15Corner from left by-line taken by Yohan Cabaye.
12:39Ahmed Elmohamady delivers the ball, clearance by Fabricio Coloccini.
12:11Ahmed Elmohamady sends in a cross.
10:36Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Shola Ameobi by Sebastian Larsson. Joey Barton delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, clearance made by Asamoah Gyan.
9:56Stephane Sessegnon has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
8:42Shot from 30 yards by Stephane Sessegnon. Tim Krul makes a save. Sebastian Larsson takes the outswinging corner, Anton Ferdinand produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
7:36Jack Colback crosses the ball.
6:32The ball is delivered by Jonas Gutierrez, save made by Simon Mignolet.
3:49The ball is crossed by Stephane Sessegnon, blocked by Fabricio Coloccini. Outswinging corner taken by Sebastian Larsson, Joey Barton manages to make a clearance.
2:10The ball is crossed by Ahmed Elmohamady, Fabricio Coloccini gets a block in.
1:02Handball by Jonas Gutierrez. Sebastian Larsson crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, Joey Barton makes a clearance.
0:14Shot from outside the box by Stephane Sessegnon misses to the left of the goal.
0:00The game kicks-off.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association
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