Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Premier League meeting between Newcastle United and Hull City at St James' Park. The Magpies come into this game winless so far in the league this season and in desperate need of a victory to ease the pressure on under fire manager Alan Pardew.

Hull have yet to get fully up and running themselves so far this campaign, but they sit considerably higher than their bottom-placed opponents this afternoon. Kickoff is now less than an hour away, so let's take a look at how both sides line up...

TEAM NEWS!

NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Krul, Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett, Tiote, Colback, Cabella, Sissoko, Gouffran, Riviere

HULL CITY XI: McGregor, Elmohamady, Davies, Dawson, Robertson, Livermore, Huddlestone, Diame, Quinn, Jelavic, Hernandez

A big afternoon for Alan Pardew then, with anything less than three points this afternoon likely to cost the Newcastle manager his job. The Magpies have been hit by numerous casualties in recent weeks, with Rolando Aarons the latest player to be ruled out of action. It means starts for Emmanuel Riviere and Remy Cabella, who are both yet to get off the mark for their new club since joining over the summer.

There is one major boost for the Premier League's bottom side in Cheick Tiote's return to fitness, with the midfielder returning to the starting lineup for this afternoon's clash alongside Jack Colback.

Hull are of course without Newcastle loanee Hatem ben Arfa for their visit to the North East due to the terms in his loan contract, while Stephen Quinn retains his place over Robbie Brady who is among the substitutes. Abel Hernandez and Mohamed Diame both start, meanwhile, fresh on the back of their goalscoring debuts against West Ham United last time out.

BENCH WATCH!

NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBS: Elliot, S.Taylor, Haidara, Anita, Ameobi, Perez, Cisse

HULL CITY SUBS: Harper, Rosenior, Chester, Meyler, Brady, Aluko, Ramirez

Papiss Cisse has been named among the Newcastle subs this afternoon along with summer recruit Ayoze Perez and Sammy Ameobi who provide further attacking options. Hull certainly don't lack in that area either, with Gaston Ramirez waiting to be called on should he be needed.

Calm before the storm

Welcome to St. James' Park, where #NUFC host @HullCity this afternoon (kick-off 3pm). Team news coming up at 2pm. pic.twitter.com/bU0UdTVz1w — Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 20, 2014

A fiery atmosphere is to be expected at St James' Park this afternoon as supporters crank up their protests surrounding under-fire manager Pardew. Around 35,000 paper sheets and 100 banners carrying anti-Pardew messages are to greet the sides as they walk out onto the field, and you feel that anything less than three points will spell the end of the former Charlton Athletic man's four-year stay at the club.

It's easy to see why Toon supporters are so aggrieved with Newcastle on a poor run this season which has seen them collect just two points from their opening four games. Furthermore, Pardew has picked up just five wins since the turn of the year which has seen more and more pressure laid on his shoulders as each week passes by.

Owner Mike Ashley has remained tight-lipped throughout, but the eight-year contract that he handed to Pardew a couple of years ago is in real danger of being terminated. As touched on already, the Magpies have suffered numerous injury blows already this season which certainly hasn't helped, with the list of absentees constantly growing.

It remained to be seen just how much of a say Pardew actually has over signings, with chief scout Graham Carr said to be the man who gives the green light to signings. One man brought in over the summer, Remy Cabella, has seemingly struggled to adapt to the Premier League so far, but Pardew has stuck by him today.

Cabella will have to get off the mark soon, however, or else stats like this will continue to pop up...

17 - Newcastle have scored only 17 goals in the Premier League in 2014, fewer than any other ever-present side this year. Struggle. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2014

The great irony of all this is the fact that Pardew's opposite number this afternoon, Steve Bruce, is the man tipped with taking over the St James' Park hotseat should he be dismissed. Bruce said links with the position were "disrespectful", yet if the opportunity arises in the coming weeks it may be too hard to turn down for the Newcastle-born man.

That's all speculation, of course, but there is no denying that Bruce has done a simply tremendous job at the KC Stadium since taking over. Promotion from the Championship was followed up with a comfortable finish in the Premier League last season, along with the small matter of an FA Cup final. The Tigers were edged out by Arsenal in an exciting game at Wembley after blowing a two-goal lead, but supporters had a place in Europe to look forward to over the summer as a result of their cup exploits.

Hull disappointingly failed to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League, though, meaning that all focus can now be placed on the Premier League and domestic cup competitions once more. Bruce has set his sights high at the Humberside outfit, and four new signings brought in on transfer-deadline day shows that controversial owner Assemm Allem is still willing to fully back the club.

Two of those new recruits, Hernandez and Diame, are already off the goalscoring mark thanks to their strikes at Upton Park last Monday. Former Everton striker Nikica Jelavic leads the mark in terms of goals scored so far with two to his name this season, while at the other end Michael Dawson and Curtis Davies provide a solid central defensive pairing.

The omens are good for Hull coming into this game having won three of their last visits to St James' Park, while the home side have not come out on top in this fixture since 1991.

PREDICTION! Despite this, and regardless of the negativity that will be circling around St James' Park this afternoon, I'm going to back Newcastle to bag a much-needed first victory of the season with a 2-1 win.

With a little over 10 minutes to go until kickoff, you can also see what the members of Sports Mole's On the Sofa team make of this encounter in the video below:

Today also brings together Alan Pardew and David Meyler for the first time since that infamous headbutt last season, but both men were keen to play down the event to the build-up to this game, saying what happened is now very much in the past. It's just another sideshow in what should be a fascinating afternoon in the Premier League.

In terms of previous meetings, Newcastle were edged out 3-2 by Hull when these sides last met at St James' Park, but the Magpies ran out 4-1 winners when they met later in the season at the KC Stadium.

Well the terms are now emerging from the tunnel to a great reception, although all eyes are now on Pardew. The importance of this game can't be played down, and he knows that he is fighting for his job at the club. Three points today would see the pressure lifted ever so slightly, but Hull will of course have other ideas.

KICKOFF! Here we go then as Hull City get us underway at St James' Park.

Colback wanted too much time on the ball around his own area, and Diame managed to knick it off him before running towards goal, but referee Neil Swarbrick felt he used too much force to win the ball. Early signs that Hull are attempting to get right in their opponents faces.

Once more the visitors win the ball off their opponents, this time legally, but having worked space for a shot Diame's effort flies well wide of goal. Good start for Hull.

Paul Dummett brings down Quinn out wide with the referee awarding a free kick which will test the Newcastle defence. Jelavic working the channels well early on.

Tim Krul collects the in-swinging set piece which sparks a counter-attack for the hosts. Gouffran carried it the length of the field before playing in Riviere out wide. The summer signing picked out fellow new-boy Cabella in the box, but he failed to test Allan McGregor.

CHANCE! Much better from Newcastle who perhaps should be ahead. Moussa Sissoko picked out Cabella through the middle with a fine through-ball, but the striker was reluctant to hit it first time on his left, instead taking a touch to bring it onto his right and prodding away a weak shot which McGregor stops.

Riviere with another shot from the edge of the box which is blocked before reaching the target. It's been all Newcastle for the last few minutes.

CHANCE! A brilliantly-timed run into the box from Colback almost brings about the game's first goal. The midfielder struck the ball on the half-volley following a cross into the box, but McGregor managed to handle to shot. Some very nice link-up play from Newcastle at the moment, with Sissoko in particular looking very commanding in possession.

Yet again Sissoko glides past a raft of opposition players down the right before cutting inside which wins the applause of Toon supporters. Nothing came from the run, but moments later a ball into the box was met by the head of Gouffran who forced McGregor into action once more.

Quinn is often to most advanced of Hull's four-man midfield, but it's all very quiet from the Tigers' point of view. Newcastle getting the better of the midfield better which is easy to understand with Tiote in their team.

A great touch as St James' Park rise as one for a minutes applause for Jonas Gutierrez who is back in Argentina undergoing chemotherapy. Puts the Pardew situation into real context.

Hernandez is left one-on-one with Fabricio Coloccini and the Argentine does well to force his opponent out wide before coming out on top and winning the ball. Moments later some sloppy play in the middle allowed Jake Livermore to fire in a shot, but his radar was well off and it flew wide of the target.

Incidentally, there's been a few signs of anti-Pardew banners around the ground, but focus is very much on the pitch right now. Toon fans giving their players full backing.

CHANCE! Hull's best chance of the game so far as Andrew Robertson bursts down the left-hand side into space left free by Daryl Janmaat, before cutting the ball back for Jelvavic who was unable to test Krul. Hernandez was also available at the back post and may have been a better option.

Janmaat getting forward more and more as the game ticks on, but it's leaving a lot of space of Robertson to burst into as we have just seen. Sissoko is positioned on that side, but he often drifts inside.

Some good link-up play between Riviere and Cabella almost leads to the breakthrough, but the shot is well cut out by a tracking Hull defender. Although Neil Swarbrick disagrees and awards a goal kick which doesn't go down well with home supporters.

Colback offering good support around the edge of the box and he manages to get on the end of a stray ball which he fires straight into a defender. First goal is going to be massive in this game, but it remains goalless with 30 minutes played.

Cabella seeing a lot of the ball in wide areas, but so far he's been unable to create any real openings. Hull starting to knock the ball around their back four now as the tempo of the game slows down.

No real chances over the past five minutes or so as the game slows down somewhat. Hull asking a few questions, but Newcastle still look the more likely to score.

Janmaat once more in an advanced position, and he puts in a half decent cross which Riviere gets on the end of. The headed effort is well wide of the target though, as Hull look to counter.

Pardew kicks the ball back into play and is met by a raft of boos from supporters. Atmosphere rather subdued now at St James' Park to match what we are seeing on it.

Colback, who has enjoyed a decent first half, looks to play in Riviere with a reverse ball on the edge of the box which is just about cut out. Meanwhile. Mike Williamson goes down after taking a blow to the face and requires treatment, but he looks like he will be good to continue.

Diame hits Newcastle on the break and nearly squeezes through a ball to Jelavic who was up with him, but it is well cut out. Been the same old story for the majority of this first half, with some promising moves which have lacked a cutting-edge final pass.

It's goalless at the break then with both sides unable to find a way through in a first half which started promising but faded out. Cabella, Colback and Riviere had half-chances to fire Newcastle ahead in the opening 15 minutes or so, while Robertson's centred cut-back for Jelavic was Hull's only real opening.

We were expecting fireworks at St James' Park but any action both on and off the pitch has failed to materialise so far. Expect that to change in the second half, however, with plenty of options from the bench for both managers to turn to.

UPDATE! There's currently three more games going on in the Premier League this afternoon, with Arsenal leading Aston Villa 3-0 at the break, while Burnley, Sunderland, Swansea and Southampton each remain goalless in their respective encounters. Click here to see the scores from across each league in full.

Switching attention back to this afternoon's meeting between Newcastle and Hull, I'm expecting Robertson to continue making the most of the space vacated by the attack-minded Janmaat on the left. Sissoko has his work cut out covering on that side, but the midfielder enjoyed a decent first half with his powerful, slick runs often causing Hull problems.

Colback, too, has enjoyed a good opening 45 minutes, but he has been unable to find a way through after numerous probing attempts. In terms of the visitors, Quinn is the man who has been given the licence to push furthest forward from midfield to link up with the two-man attack, but it's been a quiet afternoon for Krul so far.

SECOND HALF! Here we go again, as Newcastle get the second half underway.

What. A. Goal. Nikica Jelavic bags his third goal of the season with an incredible acrobatic finish to give Hull a vital lead. Colback was found wanting on the ball, not for the first time this afternoon it must be said, while Elmohamady's cross into the box was played slightly behind Jelavic it didn't matter as the Croatian managed to beat Krul with a world-class finish from seven yards out.

I believe that was actually Hull's first attempt on goal this afternoon, and what a vital strike it was from Jelavic. Newcastle unable to offer a response in the minutes following the goal, with the pressure on Pardew cranking up a few notches.

YELLOW CARD! Coloccini is the first man to enter the referee's book this afternoon.

CHANCE! Big, big chance for opportunity for Newcastle to equalise, and once more it falls to Riviere. Williamson did well to pick out his teammate in a central position in the opposition box, but his resulting effort was straight at McGregor.

NEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTION! Sone Aluko, who scored at this ground almost a year ago to the day, comes on in place of Hernandez.

CHANCES! Aluko nearly heads home with his first touch after being played in, but he failed to divert the ball. Moments later Riviere failed to get on the end of Sissoko's cross on the stretch, but Cabella latched onto the ball in a tight angle which forced McGregor into making a solid save.

YELLOW CARDS! It's all happening now! Robertson receives a caution for kicking the ball away, while Sissoko is shown the yellow for pushing the hull man.

CHANCE! Quinn really should have doubled Hull's lead having latched onto a ball just a few yards from goal, which he put wide of the target. A free kick swung into the box somehow ended in his path where he was left unmarked, but he couldn't convert, What a huge let off for the Magpies.

7 - Nikica Jelavic is now Hull's second top scorer in PL history (7 goals); only Geovanni (11) has more for the club. Worthy.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2014

Incidentally, Jelavic has now scored three goals from just four shots this season. What Pardew would give right now for a striker as prolific as that. Riviere simply hasn't done enough this afternoon.

In fairness to the forward, the service to him has been fairly poor this afternoon. There's simply no end product for Newcastle who continue to probe the Hull backline with no reward.

Anything that Jelavic can do, Diame can do better. The summer recruit has bagged his second goal in the same number of games with an absolute pearler. Tiote's stray ball in midfield allowed Hull to attack, and Diame unleashed a strike from the edge of the box with his left foot which flew past Krul. Two fantastic goals from Hull, and Pardew really is hanging on now.

Pardew held his sides up in the air as that goal struck the net as if to say 'what can I do?' He's got a point - that was an unstoppable strike from Diame which came about following a sloppy pass in midfield.

NEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTION! A return to action for Cisse who replaces the ineffective Riviere with 20 minutes to go.

Well he's only been on the field for a matter of minutes, but Cisse has given Newcastle - and Pardew - a real lifeline here. Tiote, very much at fault for Hull's second goal, charged forward before playing in his teammate at a tight angle on the right. But the striker fired the ball past McGregor at his near post to make it 2-1. The keeper probably should have done better, but credit to Cisse who stayed onside before taking his chance.

PENALTY APPEAL! Big shout for a penalty from the Gallowgate End who felt that a Hull played handled the ball inside the box. Neil Swarbick's having none of it and waves play on.

SHOT! Cisse takes range once more, but this time his effort is deflected wide for a corner. This is what Newcastle needed from the off. A tense final 15 minutes lie ahead for the Tigers.

YELLOW CARD! Cabella is the fourth player to enter the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.

HULL SUBSTITUTION! Jelavic leaves the field with Meyler the man to replace him. Pardew stands well clear.

Newcastle continuing to press forward in search of an equaliser, but Hull too are looking to attack. Less than 10 minutes remaining, but as it stands Newcastle heading for yet another defeat unless they can find a late goal.

414 - Newcastle United have finally had a player caught offside for the first time in the PL this season, after 414 mins of action. Flagged. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2014

NEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTION! The hosts are forced into a chance as Tiote, who has had a good game bar that mistake for Hull's second goal, limps off the field. Ameobi is the man to replace him as Newcastle alter their formation.

Fifteen minutes ago Newcastle were down and out, but Papiss Cisse has found the net for the second time to surely rescue his side a dramatic point. Gouffran deserves huge credit for knocking down a cross into the box at the back post into his teammate's path, and Cisse makes no mistake as he prods the ball home from inside the six-yard box to make it 2-2.

Well can Newcastle find a winner?! As long as Cisse is on the field they certainly can. Unsurprisingly it is they who are asking all the questions late on, as Hull look to waste time with their set pieces.

We're into the first minute of five added on at the end of the second half. Still time for a winner!

HULL SUBSTITUTION! Incidentally, Liam Rosenior replaced Robertson a few minutes ago as Hull look to bring on a pair of fresh legs at the back. Smart decision by Steve Bruce.

NEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTION! Gouffran makes way for Perez, who has a couple of minutes to become a hero in front of the Gallowgate End.

YELLOW CARD! Aluko receives a booking late on for his late challenge. No real chances at the moment, it looks like we're heading for a draw.

Half a chance for Davies at the death who fired wide when the ball came to him inside the box. Time is now officially up.

Well beforehand a 2-2 draw would not have been seen as a good result for the Toon Army, but having found themselves two goals behind with 15 minutes remaining, a share of the spoils is not to be sniffed at. Hull will kick themselves after looking comfortable at 2-0, only to throw away two points late on.

Well that's all from me, but stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you a match report, player ratings and analysis from St James' Park. For now, goodbye.