Barclays Premier League: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal - Newcastle United 0-1 Sunderland - As It Happened

Full time: Newcastle United 0-1 Sunderland

Full time: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

18:01: A bizarre game ends in fitting fashion with the points shared at Anfield. Liverpool dominated for long periods and grabbed a late point through Martin Skrtel's header to deny Arsene Wenger a 400th Premier League win. Liverpool into the top half with that point and above Merseyside rivals Everton.

Well it's been a dramatic Sunday of Premier League football. We'll be back tomorrow for Stoke City v Chelsea but until then, goodbye.

Full time: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

17:57: Brad Jones keeps out Santi Cazorla. Could Arsenal snatch it?

17:57: Liverpool have been relentless since the red card and they all but claim a point with 10-men. Skrtel hands around the back of a corner and when Gerrard's delivery is a good one, the centre-back nods past Szczesny. Fine header. Now for a winner?

Goal: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal (Martin Skrtel)

17:52: Still seven minutes of added time left but it might be irrelevant because Liverpool have been reduced to 10-men. Borini, who was booked earlier for a show of descent, is shown a second yellow for a high boot on Santi Cazorla. Awful foul and the Italian, who makes a swift exit, can have no complaints.

Red card: Fabio Borini (Liverpool)

17:49: Oxlade-Chamberlain off for Arsenal with what looks like a recurrence of that groin problem. NINE minutes added on at Anfield.

17:46: Arsenal doing themselves no favours in possession and Borini almost levels with a fine header by Szcesny palms the ball behind. Still time for this to go any of three ways.

17:37: Fabio Borini already called upon and now it's the turn of Rickie Lambert to enter the fray for the final 10 minutes. Liverpool have had 18 attempts on goal this afternoon and they look ready to throw everything they have at Arsenal in search of a point.

17:35: Two chances come and go for Liverpool. First Lucas slices an effort after evading Sanchez which drifts just wide before Coutinho miss hits a half-cleared Sterling cross into the arms of Szczesny.

17:32: A response of sorts from Liverpool, with a spate of Steven Gerrard shots from range testing Wojciech Szczesny. Arsenal look as comfortable as they have at any stage of this game and will surely need to show some metal to see out the remainder of this game.

17:24: Liverpool on top but it's Arsenal who hit the front. Giroud plays a first time pass in behind to find Cazorla and when the cross comes in Giroud fires home from six yards. Clinical.

Goal: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal (Olivier Giroud)

17:21: Liverpool back on top after the long break and they have Arsenal at sixes and sevens after Sterling clearly pats the ball on with his hand to help round Szczesny but when his cross finds Gerrard the captain can only head harmlessly over.

17:17: The game is held up for a good six minutes before Skrtel takes to his feet and is taken off after receiving treatment. He now returns for a Liverpool corner which Arsenal successfully defend.

17:11: Problems for Martin Skrtel who is in a bad way after Olivier Giroud stamps accidentally on the Slovakian's head after being adjudged to have fouled the Liverpool defender. Player currently being bandaged up.

17:03: Players out and we're ready for the second half at Anfield. No changes at the break.

16:50: Dramatic end to the first half as Arsenal level in stoppage time at the end of a dismal display in the first 45 minutes. Arsenal keep alive a poorly cleared free-kick and ends with Debuchy out-jumping Martin Skrtel and nodding beyond Brad Jones. The Liverpool faithful can't believe it as they go in at half time level with a team they have dominated for the duration.

Half time: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

Goal: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal (Mathieu Debuchy)

16:47: The Reds are finally rewarded for their first half dominance, and summed up Arsenal's first half performance. Giroud gives the ball away deep in the Liverpool half and when Henderson finds Coutinho the Brazilian shifts the ball out of his feet and drills in off the post.

Goal: Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal (Philippe Coutinho)

16:40: Another opportunity comes the way of Lazar Markovic after Sterling gets some space but with the pace bobbling along the turf and slightly behind him, he curls his effort over. Liverpool's two best chances have fallen the way of the Serbian. Arsenal meanwhile, are nowhere.

16:36: First genuine chance and predictably it comes for Liverpool. Markovic collects the ball after Welbeck only half heads clear and after he scampers away Szczesny smothers the ball with a good save at the near post.

16:28: Not been a vintage game, but while Arsenal's are not four goals down like last season it is Liverpool who have been doing much of the running and are far the better team, outnumbering the visitors in midfield and finding it far easier to control the game. Not many chances to speak of though.

16:04: Early chance for Liverpool as Mertesacker fouls Coutinho outside the box and Gerrard with the resulting free-kick curls well wide.

16:00: Under way at Anfield. Surely we won't get a start like we did last season?

15:57: Players in the tunnel at Anfield. A genuine must-win for both sides this. Whatever the result there will be questions asked of these two, such is the scrutiny which surrounds both sides. Arsenal will obviously want to avoid a performance which accompanied the 5-1 defeat in March while Liverpool need a point to avoid being in the bottom half at Christmas for the first time in the Premier league era.

15:46: Quick look at both teams. Liverpool start with the same team which finished the League Cup win over AFC Bournemouth, with Mamadou Sakho the most notable retention as he makes his first Premier League start since September. Dejan Lovren misses out.

For Arsenal, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes through a late fitness test to start in an attack-minded Gunners team with Giroud, Sanchez and Welbeck all in attack.

15:42: Teams:

Liverpool v Arsenal

Liverpool: Jones, Toure, Skrtel, Sakho, Lucas, Henderson, Markovic, Coutinho, Gerrard, Lallana, Sterling

Arsenal: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Sanchez, Giroud, Welbeck

15:36: Stunning end to the north east derby but now time to turn our attention to the stellar billing of the weekend as Liverpool and Arsenal meet at Anfield in a must-win game for both Brendan Rodgers and Arsene Wenger. Team news and build-up to come.

15:25: A tight 90 minutes is won in the most dramatic fashion via Adam Johnson's last minute winner. Gus Poyet wins a third tyne-wear derby in a row, Sunderland claim a fourth success league win at St James' Park to pile the misery on Newcastle United, who appeared decent for at least a point for so long. Johnson scores on the ground of his boyhood club for a third straight season.

Full time: Newcastle United 0-1 Sunderland

15:20: Newcastle almost take the lead as Pantilimon keeps out Sissoko's strike and Sunderland go down the other end an snatch the points in the 90th minute. Sunderland break from the resulting corner and after being teed up and smashes past Alnwick from 12 yards. Stunning.

Goal: Newcastle United 0-1 Sunderland (Adam Johnson)

15:12: This game is drifting towards an inevitable draw it seems. Sunderland have shut up shop a little bit with Fletcher alone up front while Newcastle are struggling to break through what is often 10 players behind the ball.

15:06: Chances are flowing now and now it's Sunderland's turn to wonder what if as Wickham feeds Johnson brilliantly, but he can't get his foot round the ball and the his shot slides wide. Big let off for Newcastle, who are going all out for a winner.

15:03: Newcastle making all the running now and Perez forces Pantilimon into another save, shooting low and straight at the Sunderland forward. Papiss Cisse now coming on and Tiote. Very bold change with 15 minutes left.

14:59: Lee Cattermole off and Liam Bridcutt on for Sunderland. Mid-way through the second half and we're no closer to finding a winner at St James' Park. Game is lacking the decisive quality we had in the first half. Armstrong does test Pantilimon with a near post cushioned volley but it's an easy save at the near post.

14:56: Better from Newcastle as Sissoko turns away brilliantly, drives towards the Sunderland box, feeds Ameobi whose cross is only just behind the Frenchman. Armstrong does win a corner but Pantilimon gathers at the second attempt.

14:53: You'll go a long way to see a better save this weekend. Newcastle's best chance of the game as Sissoko finds Perez, whose curling shot produces a fine acrobatic stop from Pantilimon. Strike was travelling at some pace but the Romanian turned the ball over brilliantly.

14:47: Steven Taylor back on for Newcastle after having stitches. Youngster Adam Armstrong comes on for Yoan Gouffran, who has been almost anonymous this afternoon.

14:42: Taylor being taken to have stitches and that leaves Newcastle down to 10-men for what could be a lengthy period. Not ideal, with Sunderland having stared the half the better. They almost take full advantage too, but Jordi Gomez misses the target from 13 yards. Inexplicable miss.

14:39: Really nasty start to the second half. Connor Wickham clips the ball towards the back post and when Steven Taylor heads the ball away from the oncoming Steven Fletcher, he collides with the post. Newcastle's medical team are immediately at the scene and Taylor is back on his feet. Mike Williamson is being summoned but he might not be needed.

14:33: Players out and we're under way in the second half at St James' Park. No changes at the break.

14:22: Feisty but not full of finesse at St James' Park. Both teams have had their moments, with Sunderland coming closest through Steven Fletcher and Connor Wickham but you fancy we'll need a big improvement if we're going to get a victor this afternoon.

Half time: Newcastle United 0-0 Sunderland

14:10: Sunderland come close again as Vergini's cross finds Wickham, who gets away from Taylor who is guilty of ball watching, and heads straight at Alnwick. Now the ex-Ipswich forward is booked after a late collision with Alnwick. Very cynical.

14:06: A rare sighting of Ayoze Perez in this first half, with a curling shot which beats Pantilimion but also the left-hand post.

14:01: Connor Wickham, fresh from signing a new contract, warms the hands of Alnwick with a stinging shot from 20 yards after coming off his new-found wide-left role. Sunderland far the better team as we reach the half-way mark.

13:58: The Blacks Cats keep knocking on the door and go within inches of breaking the deadlock. Larsson floats a perfect pass in behind Coloccini and on the volley Fletcher takes aim and hammers the crossbar.

13:54: Best chance of the opening quarter of this game. A Sunderland free-kick catches Jak Alnwick out and Connor Wickham steals in but from all of three yards can only head wide. Bad miss.

13:51: Proud moment for the entire north east as St James' Park unites for a minute's applause in the 16th minute in memory of Newcastle fans John Alder and Liam Sweeney who were killed upon flight MH17 in the summer.

13:49: Better from Sunderland after weathering the storm in the first 15 minutes. Steven Fletcher takes aim from 25 yards but the effort is way off target. Alnwick then almost puts Newcastle in trouble with a poor throw out but Coloccini prevents Johnson from taking advantage.

13:45: First genuine chance and it comes for the home side. Sissoko exchanges passes with Ameobi, takes a touch inside upon receiving the ball back but his shot is straight at Pantilimon.

13:41: Clumsy challenge from Fabricio Coloccini on Steven Fletcher as the Argentine's knee prevent the Sunderland forward from turning away and is punished with a booking. Nine minutes gone, two yellow cards. It's as you were in the Tyne-wear derby.

13:33: Worth mentioning that Anthony Reveillere has limped out of this game in the warm-up and has been replaced by Sebastian Coates. The Liverpool loanee is straight into the action, fouling Ayoze Perez just outside the penalty area. Yellow card for the Uruguay international.

13:31: Right, players are out at St James' Park and we're almost ready to go. No need to go into too much detail over how much this one means to both sets of players and supporters. Put it this way, it would be a nice early Christmas present. We're under way!

13:14: Four changes for Newcastle as they look to end a three-match losing run at home to Sunderland, with Janmaat, Taylor, Ameobi and Tiote all coming in for the hosts. Five Geordies start for the Toon too, as well as 21-year old goalkeeper Jak Alnwick who endured a harrowing time against Tottenham.

Sunderland make just one change and it comes in attack where Steven Fletcher starts in attack. Otherwise the Black Cats are unchanged as they attempt to improve on a record which reads on league win in nine games.

13:10: Teams:

Newcastle United v Sunderland

Newcastle United: Alnwick; Janmaat, Coloccini, S.Taylor, Dummett; Sissoko, Colback, Tiote; Gouffran, Perez, Ameobi.

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Vergini, Reveillere, O'Shea, Brown, Cattermole, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Wickham, Fletcher.

13:00: Bragging rights, local pride, call it what you want but this afternoon's Tyne-wear derby is set against the backdrop of far more than just a historic rivalry. For Newcastle boss Alan Pardew he faces the biggest test of the Toon's recent turnaround while Sunderland have failed to use last season's survival as a catalyst for improvement this term, standing just a point above the drop zone after 16 games. Having only lost one of the last seven derbies the Black Cats have the better recent record but can Gus Poyet land another blow to the club's closest rivals?