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