Sunderland Vs. Newcastle United: Halftime, Physical, Controversial Match Scoreless After 45

It's been a nasty, controversial and fun match in the first 45 minutes at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, meaning it's been everything we expect the Tyne-Wear Derby to be each season. Sunderland and Newcastle are currently locked up at 0-0, but that hasn't been for a lack of action.

Referee Howard Webb has missed a couple of difficult calls, while goalkeepers Simon Mignolet and Tim Krul have both been absolutely brilliant. The first serious moment of controversy came in the 14th minute, when a Shola Ameobi header was cleared off the line by the arm of Sebastian Larsson. Howard Webb and his assistant either did not believe that the ball hit his arm or couldn't come to a decision, and Newcastle were only given a corner.

The second moment of controversy came just nine minutes later when Yohan Cabaye went in high and studs up on Phil Bardsley, hitting him with a dangerous tackle. He was given a yellow, but a case could easily be made for Cabaye deserving a red. That decision or lack thereof almost seriously affected the game in the 32nd minute, when Cabaye came close to scoring but was brilliantly denied by Mignolet.

For the rest of the half, it was Sunderland who created the top-notch chances, but both times they were denied. Stephane Sessegnon unleashed a fantastic shot at goal in the 37th minute from the edge of the penalty area, but Krul made an even better save. In the second minute of first half stoppage time, Asamoah Gyan unleashed an equally impressive shot, but unluckily had it bounce off the crossbar.