Half-Time Report: 10-man Newcastle United lead Sunderland at the break

Newcastle United hold a deserved lead over local rivals Sunderland after 45 minutes at the Stadium of Light, despite being reduced to 10 men.

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Cheick Tiote was shown a straight red on 25 minutes for a high-footed tackle on Steven Fletcher.

The Magpies had earlier taken a third-minute lead when Yohan Cabaye slid home a rebound after Demba Ba's low drive had been parried away by Simon Mignolet.

Craig Gardner came close to levelling the scores on 35 minutes, but his 25-yard free kick landed just wide.

Ba then almost doubled the visitors' lead with an ambitious overhead kick from close range, which flew inches over.