Sunderland made the trip to the KC Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face Hull City in the Premier League.
The visitors fell behind in the 25th minute of the game when Carlos Cuellar inadvertently headed the ball into his own net.
Sunderland's task was made even more difficult before the break as both Lee Cattermole and Andrea Dossena were shown red cards for reckless tackles in first half stoppage time.
Hull failed to add to their goal in the second half but the home side were able to secure a 1-0 victory to move to 10th in the table.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.
Good afternoon everyone. Sunderland's season came to life last weekend thanks to a victory over their fiercest rivals but they face a tough test if they are to build on that confidence booster. Hull City have surprised many in this campaign, can they regain some form of their own today?
It's been a long time since Sunderland supporters have dared to be confident prior to a Premier League game but that's exactly what a derby win will do. Gus Poyet will be desperate to earn his second league win since taking over the team.
Hull have had a very difficult week. They were superb on Sunday at White Hart Lane but an unfortunate penalty call condemned them to defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. Steve Bruce's men faced the same side just a few days later but they were beaten in a penalty shootout and crashed out of the Capital One Cup. They need a result today.
HULL: Harper, Rosenior, Figueroa, Davies, McShane, Huddlestone, Livermore, Elmohamady, Boyd, Aluko, Sagbo
SUBSTITUTES: Jakupovic, Meyler, Koren, Brady, Proschwitz, Faye, Quinn
SUNDERLAND: Westwood, Bardsley, Dossena, O’Shea, Cueller, Cattermole, Colback, Larsson, Fletcher, Altidore, Borini
SUBSTITUTES: Mannone, Brown, Gardner, Johnson, Celustka, Giaccherini, Sung-Yueng
Tom Huddlestone was given a rest in midweek but his return in midfield for Hull will be crucial today. Sone Aluko and Yannick Sagbo will provide the main attacking threat for the hosts, who also welcome back Jake Livermore.
You have to salute Poyet for his positive attitude. Fabio Borini is rewarded for his winner in last week's victory by being given a start today, while Steven Fletcher and Jozy Altidore both keep their places. It looks like an attacking lineup from the visitors.
Due to their poor start to the season, Sunderland cannot move out of the relegation zone today but things are certainly looking up for the Black Cats after that win last weekend. Poyet will always encourage his team to play a passing game but there's nothing more important than survival.
Today, Bruce faces the club he was dismissed from two years ago. He recently admitted that he may have made a mistake in becoming Sunderland manager due to the fact that he supports Newcastle. Bruce wasn't always a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light but he looks settled in his current surroundings.
I think we'll see both sides looking for the victory today. Bruce usually sets up with a pretty positive team in front of his own supporters and the Sunderland side named suggests that the visitors fancy their own chances of collecting three points.
Sunderland have won the last six games between the two sides, with Hull scoring just twice in those matches. There has also been four red cards during that same period.
Hull should be boosted by the fact that a victory today could see them move into the top 10 in the Premier League. That's a very impressive to be in for a team which was tipped to struggle on their return to the top flight of English football. There's a long way to go but Hull's start has been promising.
Adam Johnson is the player sacrificed to make room for the introduction of Borini today. It hasn't quite clicked for the winger at Sunderland yet, has it? He deserves credit for leaving Manchester City to look for regular football but he's been too inconsistent.
PREDICTION: There's just under 30 minutes left until the action begins, so it's time to guess what the score will be. I don't think everything has been fixed at Sunderland yet but I reckon they'll do just enough to earn a point today. 2-2.
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Hull have enjoyed more success than they were expected to by this stage of the season and a big reason for that has been the form of Curtis Davies. Once tipped to be a future England star, his career seemed to curtail slightly but he's currently standing out as one of the in-form players in the Premier League.
Davies hasn't been the only player to stand out for Hull during this campaign. Tom Huddlestone has started to find his feet at his new club and he's proving why he was once considered to be one of the finest young midfielders in the country. His partnership with Jake Livermore will be crucial today.
For the visitors, they key man today could be Steven Fletcher. The striker scored last weekend and he provides real quality in attack for the Black Cats. Fletcher was certainly missed while he was injured and it's his goals that could be the difference between survival or relegation at the end of the season.
There's already been a shock in the Premier League this afternoon. Newcastle have secured a 2-0 victory over Chelsea, who miss the chance to go top of the table. Can Sunderland follow their bitter rivals by winning today?
BREAKING NEWS: There's been a late change to the home team at the KC Stadium. It appears that Sone Aluko has suffered an injury in the warm-up and he's been replaced by David Meyler. Gedo is added to the bench.
Bruce will be annoyed that he's been forced to make a change just before kick off. Meyler will play in a deeper role, so I wasn't be surprised if George Boyd was asked to push even further forward.
The players have completed their pre-match preparations and they've returned to the changing rooms for a final team talk. We're just over five minutes away from the action.
The two teams have arrived on the pitch now. Just the handshakes left. It's the kind of game when the first goal is going to be absolutely vital. Whoever makes the better start could prove to be the winner.
This is Hull's closest home game to Remembrance Day, so they're going to have a minute of applause at the KC Stadium.
Hull will get the match underway.
Positive start from Sunderland as Altidore wins a free kick from Huddlestone following a direct run straight through the middle of the pitch.
The delivery from the free kick drops to Altidore, who scuffs a shot straight to Harper in the Hull goal.
A long ball is headed towards Figueroa and he decides to unleash a shot at goal. It's a wild effort from the full back though and the ball is not a danger to the Sunderland goal.
Both teams have started the game with good attacking intent but we've seen a lot of misplaced passes in the early stages.
Sunderland have adopted a slightly more direct approach than their opponents, mainly because they are struggling to win the early battle in midfield. Poyet may be getting worried about the amount of space Huddlestone is getting at the moment.
A promising move from Hull is halted by a raise of the flag from the assistant referee. Good spell of pressure from the hosts in the last couple of minutes.
Hull are settling down now and they passing the ball around at a good tempo. Huddlestone and Livermore have already asserted their dominance in midfield.
Borini has been asked to play on the left for Sunderland by Poyet. Altidore and Fletcher are playing as the central strikers but they haven't been able to link up yet.
Excellent work from Cattermole in midfield to tackle Meyler just as the hosts had threatened to launch a counter attack after clearing a free kick.
It's been a very tight start at the KC Stadium. Neither team are offering much to their opponents. Elmohamady earns some space on the right but his cross is too deep for Sagbo inside the box.
Figueroa is fortunate not to be hurt when he's clipped in the face by a high foot from Bardsley, who is lucky not to be booked. Hull win a free kick in a dangerous position.
CLOSE! Huddlestone delivers a superb cross from the free kick and Livermore is inches away from providing the touch which would have seen the deadlock broken.
Fletcher receives the ball in a difficult position in the corner and he does very well to win a free kick from Figueroa. Larsson will deliver the ball.
Livermore rises highest inside the box to clear Larsson's free kick and relieve the pressure. No clear chances for either side yet.
Hull are enjoying more of the possession but they've struggled to keep the ball in advanced areas of the pitch. It's the defenders who are enjoying themselves the most at the moment.
There's a worrying moment for Sunderland supporters when Fletcher goes down after failing to control a long ball. Thankfully for the Black Cats, it doesn't look too serious. He may have just pulled something in his stomach but he manages to quickly return to action.
Sunderland are starting to come into this game a bit more as the game passes the midway point in the first half. They still looking for Altidore with long balls though and Davies is dealing with that easily so far.
GOAL! HULL 1-0 SUNDERLAND (CUELLAR O.G)
Hull take the lead but Cuellar won't want to see the replay. Rosenior delivers an inviting delivery and Sunderland's defender inadvertently heads into his own net as he looks to challenge Sagbo.
Sunderland look to hit back immediately when they win a corner. Larsson's corner is well directed but the Hull defence once again handle the threat with ease.
It's the visitors who are applying the pressure now as Fletcher wins another corner. The ball breaks loose to Cattermole on the edge of the box but his effort is charged down. Harper responds well to collect the ball inside the area just moments later.
Lovely skill from Huddlestone, who earns some space with a good turn before picking out Figeuroa. The full back should do far better with his cross as he fails to pick out a teammate.
Hull are beginning to relax now. Huddlestone, Livermore and Meyler are all involved as the home side enjoy a sustained spell of possession. Excellent football.
Huge cheers from the home supporters as Hull seem to complete around 30 passes before Huddlestone's cross is blocked on the left. Great signs for the home side.
Boyd causes plenty of problems with a brilliant free kick from the left but play is halted when McShane collides with Westwood, who had bravely challenged the defender for the ball. There's some real concern as the physios treat the goalkeeper.
The medical staff have been checking Westwood's next but the news gets slightly better when he gets back on his feet. It looks like he'll try to continue.
Westwood's first contribution after taking that knock is to launch a long ball forward. Borini fancies his chances of creating an opportunity but he's adjudged to have fouled Figueroa.
Hull are in control of this game now. Cattermole is doing his best to rally the troops in midfield but his commitment isn't being rewarded at the moment.
Larsson blocks off Sagbo on the edge of the box to gift Hull a free kick in a good position.
SUBSTITUTION: Andre Marriner wasn't happy with Westwood staying on and he brings the physios on again when the goalkeeper begins to look groggy again. Vito Mannone comes on to replace his teammate but he's not tested as Huddlestone fires the free kick at the wall.
CLOSE! Boyd allows the pass from Livermore to run through his legs and reach Sagbo, whose deflected effort rolls just wide of the post. Inches away from a second goal for Hull.
The fourth official confirms that five minutes will be added on following that injury to Westwood.
RED CARD! Will he ever learn? Cattermole receives the eighth red card of his career for an awful challenge on Elmohamady in the middle of the pith. Marriner had a clear view of the tackle and he had no choice but to send the midfielder off.
Poyet is complaining to the fourth official and he seems to be suggesting that the tackle wasn't two footed. He's right, it wasn't but the studs were high and the only intention seemed to be to hurt Elmohamady.
The Sunderland manager is given a lecture by Marriner, who has had enough of the complaints. He's not been sent to the stands yet.
RED CARD! Sunderland are now down to nine men at the KC Stadium. I thought Cattermole's challenge was bad but this is even worse from Dossena. It's a disgraceful challenge from the defender as he stamps on Meyler's shin. The Hull player is very lucky not to have done some serious damage. Dreadful few minutes for Sunderland, who can have no complaints.
HALF TIME: HULL 1-0 SUNDERLAND
Well, what a crazy first half at the KC Stadium. Hull took the lead thanks to an own goal from Cuellar and Sunderland pressed the self destruct button after the opener. Cattermole was sent off for a reckless challenge on Elmohamady and Dossena received a red card of his own just a few minutes later for a cowardly tackle on Meyler.
I'm not sure how Sunderland can come back from being reduced to nine men. Poyet was angry with the officials but he really should be pointing the finger at his own players. Hull are firm favourites to secure all three points from this position.
Sunderland need something very special to take anything away from the KC Stadium this afternoon. The visitors have already been forced into one change following the injury to Westwood and Poyet is likely to make another substitution very soon.
Hull must be ruthless when they return for the second half. They'll surely dominate possession but a second goal is needed to put this game to bed.
Both teams have returned to the pitch for the second half. I wonder what Poyet has told his team. Can they produce an unlikely comeback?
SUBSTITUTIONS: Poyet decides to use his two final substitutions before the second half begins as Wes Brown and Adam Johnson come on to replace Borini and Altidore. Sunderland get the game back underway.
Poyet will be hoping one of his players don't suffer an injury in this second half. 11 vs. 8 really would be ridiculous.
It's clear to see that Poyet has told his team to drop much deeper. Nearly everyone is playing on the edge of their own box, with Fletcher the only player standing in an advanced position.
Hull are doing exactly what they need to do in this position. The hosts are using the ball very well to force the eight Sunderland outfield players into a lot of running.
Huddlestone fakes a shot to earn himself some room before picking out Sagbo, who curls a wild effort over the crossbar from 25 yards.
Good move from Hull and Huddlestone is the creator once again. The midfielder chips a great pass over the Sunderland defence to Elmohamady but Egyptian can't pick out a teammate with a drilled cross.
CLOSE! Hull continue to dominate and it's Boyd's turn to come close to doubling the lead when he fires an effort just wide from the edge of the box.
SUBSTITUTION: Meyler receives a great ovation for his performance as Robert Koren comes on to replace the midfielder.
Elmohamady is enjoying plenty of space on the right but he continues to frustrate with his inability to find a Hull forward inside the box.
SAVE! Huddlestone finds midfield partner Livermore, who forces Mannone into a good a save with a powerful long range effort.
You must salute the Sunderland defence for the way that they are keeping Hull out in the second half but it's surely only a matter of time until a second goal arrives.
The crosses keep coming but Brown, Cuellar and O'Shea continue to make vital clearances inside their own box.
A few Hull players are trying their luck from distance. Figueroa is the latest person to fire a wild shot into the stands behind Mannone's goal.
SHOT! Much better play from the visitors as they work the ball from the right to the left wing, where Johnson drills a decent effort just wide.
Cuellar puts his team under pressure with a poor pass back to Mannone, who is forced to clear the danger under a lot of pressure from Boyd.
Sunderland are gifted a free kick when Boyd hauls down Bardsley 25 yards from goal. Larsson steps up for the visitors but his low effort is nowhere near troubling Harper.
Mannone is far from convincing when he comes out to get fingers on a cross from Elmohamady but the substitute goalkeeper does much better just moments later to claim a delivery from Boyd.
SUBSTITUTION: Rosenior is apparently struggling with a hamstring injury and he's replaced by Nick Proschwitz.
Brown has already shown us what Sunderland have been missing during his spell on the sidelines. The former Manchester United defender has made a number of crucial blocks and interceptions in the second half.
Huddlestone picks out Boyd on the left before making a run into the box to slice a volley wide from his teammate's inviting cross. That hair won't be cut anytime soon if he continues to shoot like that.
Hull keep the ball for at least a minute on the edge of the box. A promising move comes to an end though when Brown rises highest to clear Elmohamady's cross.
Fletcher deserves some credit for Sunderland. The striker is working incredibly hard on his own in attack but he's finding it difficult to force Davies or McShane into a mistake.
SUBSTITUTION: The home side make their second change of the game as Robbie Brady replaces Boyd.
CLOSE! Rare sight of goal for the visitors as Larsson's low effort from the edge of the box drifts just wide of the post.
The Hull players in the box are furious with Elmohamady as he whips another cross out of play from the right.
SAVE! The scores should be level. Hull fail to deal with a long ball and Johnson is clean through on goal but Harper makes himself big to save the shot. What a chance!
WOODWORK! Livermore almost punishes Johnson immediately but his fine strike from 25 yards hits the post. Proschwitz has a chance to convert the rebound but his touch is poor.
Bruce will be concerned that his side haven't killed this game off in the second half. Sunderland are battling impressively but will they be made to regret that missed chance from Johnson?
It's very difficult for Fletcher out there. The Scottish forward does superbly to collect a long kick from Mannone but he's quickly crowded out as he attempts to wait for support.
SAVE! Great stop from Mannone to prevent Huddlestone from securing the win with a powerful effort on the edge of the box.
Hull are continuing to dominate possession at this late stage of the game but their frustration is obvious as Koren smashes another long range effort over the crossbar.
YELLOW CARD! Brady takes one for the team as he chops down Johnson on the halfway line just as Sunderland were threatening on the break.
SHOT! Sunderland send almost everyone into the box for the free kick, which is taken by Mannone. The ball is cleared to Bardsley on the edge of the box and he hits a half-volley just over the bar.
YELLOW CARD! Figueroa is the next player to be cautioned following a poor tackle on Colback. Mannone is heading into the box for this free kick.
O'Shea wins the header inside the box but the contact is poor and Hull have a goal kick. Just two minutes of stoppage time to be played.
It's Hull who end the game on the front foot but Sunderland's players continue to show great commitment as they charge down three shots within the space of a few seconds.
FULL-TIME: HULL 1-0 SUNDERLAND
It wasn't as simple as it probably should have been in the second half but Hull have managed to secure all three points. The victory takes Bruce's side to 10th in the Premier League table and the home supporters are overjoyed.
Poyet was let down by both Cattermole and Dossena but he's learned a lot about his squad today. Sunderland could have capitulated after the break but they displayed great determination to make life difficult for Hull. If things had gone their way, they could have snatched a draw.
We've seen plenty of drama at the KC Stadium this afternoon but the end result is a 1-0 victory for Hull. Sunderland remain in 19th position following that defeat.
Thanks for joining me today, I hope you've enjoyed the coverage. Goodbye.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
