Late first-half drama has seen Sunderland take a 1-0 lead into the break of their derby encounter against Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.
The visiting Magpies dominated much of the opening 45 minutes on Wearside, but in stoppage time Steve McClaren's men were reduced to 10 men when Fabricio Coloccini was dismissed for a foul on Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson stepped up to convert the resultant penalty.
Fresh from having scored six times against Norwich City last weekend, it was the visitors that made the brighter start to proceedings.
As early as the third minute Newcastle skipper Coloccini tried his luck with an acrobatic effort from close range, but Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon was able to scoop the ball to safety.
As the half wore on it was the Magpies that continued to carve out the better of the chances, but Aleksandar Mitrovic was unable to keep his headed effort on target in the 17th minute, while 10 minutes later former Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback called Pantilimon into action with a near-post volley.
Having seen his team spend much of the encounter on the back-foot, new Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce was then forced to make two substitutions in quick succession when both Ola Toivonen and captain John O'Shea limped off, which handed opportunities from the bench to Jermain Defoe and Sebastian Coates.
However, the change in personnel and tactics did little to stem the tide, with Newcastle still the side in control as the clock ticked towards the interval.
They had one final opening in the 44th minute when Georginio Wijnaldum sized up a free kick 20 yards from goal, but the Dutchman's dipping effort was tipped over by Pantilimon.
But, just when it looked as though the two teams would head back to the dressing rooms level, a collision between Colocinni and Fletcher inside the area saw the former red carded, before Johnson kept his cool to fire in from 12 yards out.
Liam Apicella
