Sunderland succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against Hull City in the Premier League Boxing Day clash at the Stadium of Light.
The hosts took the lead through Adam Johnson within the first 30 seconds of the game, but Gaston Ramirez struck a lucky goal in the 33rd minute to level proceedings.
Gus Poyet's charges then had a number of penalty appeals turned down late in the first half, before the Tigers took the lead in the 51st minute through James Chester.
Steve Bruce's side then killed off the game deep in injury time when Nikica Jelavic added a third for the visitors, who climb out of the relegation zone.
Find out how the game unfolded with Sports Mole's live text commentary.
Good afternoon everybody, and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League clash between Sunderland and Hull City!
First of all I hope that all you readers have had a great Christmas day, and have truly enjoyed proceedings, whatever you got up to. Now that it's Boxing Day, however, it means one thing - football!
Now, onto today's match. Following last season's survival heroics, today's hosts have found themselves struggling a tad, but they come into today's game on a bit of a high after securing a 1-0 win against rivals Newcastle United last weekend.
That result has put the Black Cats 14th in the table, four points above the drop zone. They have a bit of leeway now, and will fancy their chances against a team that's been having a torrid time of things lately.
Onto the visitors - Hull have not won in 10 matches. Their last victory was nearly three months ago, against Crystal Palace on October 4. They now find themselves 19th in the table and two points from safety.
Team news filtering through...
SUNDERLAND STARTING XI: Pantilimon, Vergini, Jones, O'Shea, Coates, Cattermole, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Alvarez, Fletcher
SUNDERLAND SUBS: Bridcutt, Brown, Rodwell, Altidore, Giaccherini, Buckley, Mannone
HULL STARTING XI: McGregor, Rosenior, Bruce, Chester, Davies, Elmohamady, Meyler, Brady, Quinn, Ramirez, Aluko
HULL SUBS: Figueroa, Hernandez, Jelavic, Sagbo, Ince, Maguire, Harper
So that's two changes for Sunderland, as the suspended Connor Wickham is replaced by Ricky Alvarez, who makes his third appearance for the Black Cats, while Wes Brown drops to the bench with Billy Jones coming into the starting XI. And let's not forget that Anthony Reveillere is out for up to one month after he injured his leg on Sunday.
As for Hull, they've made four changes. Jake Livermore is suspended and Andy Robertson are injured and so drop out of the squad, while Abel Hernandez and Nikica Jelavic drop to the bench. In their place, Steve Bruce has selected Liam Rosenior, Sone Aluko, Stephen Quinn and Robbie Brady.
Now, the Tigers have a pretty decent record against Sunderland. Last season, the Humber outfit secured a hat-trick of victories against the Black Cats, including an emphatic 3-0 win in the FA Cup quarter-final on the way to the Wembley clash against Arsenal.
In fact, Hull won their last three meetings with Sunderland in all competitions without conceding a single goal.
However, since that quarter-final triumph, Hull's form has been poor. They've mustered just four wins in 27 Premier League matches, losing 15 games along the way. Little surprise that they're in the drop zone.
As for Sunderland, they certainly gave their supporters a jovial Christmas by securing a win - and local bragging rights - in the Tyne-Wear derby, which also provided three very valuable points to see them climb further away from the bottom three. That was just their third victory in the league though, so they will really need to make the most of today's fixture.
Sunderland's win over Newcastle did, however, end a run of six matches without a victory. Now to sort out their home form - they have won just one of their nine league games at the Stadium of Light this season, that victory coming against Stoke on 4 October. So can they be said to have turned a corner or was the derby win just a blip? Just twenty minutes to go before we can judge for ourselves.
Some more grim reading for Hull I'm afraid - at this stage of the season, they have four fewer points than they did when they were relegated from the top flight in 2009-10. Five years ago it was 17 points from 17 games, whereas now they're currently on 13 from 17. And on top of that, the Tigers have scored only two goals in their previous nine league games and are without a goal in their last three matches. Will they be able to end the year on a high? Just quarter of an hour to go now!
PREDICTION: So we've checked all the statistics, but what do the Sports Mole pundits think will happen today? Let's have a look.
As for myself, I reckon that Sunderland will sneak a 1-0 win this afternoon, with Alvarez to score the game's only goal.
The teams are out, handshakes have been dealt - not long to go now!
Sunderland are in a 4-5-1 formation, with Fletcher leading the line, while Hull are in a 3-5-2 setup.
KICKOFF! We're underway here at the Stadium of Light!
GOAL! SUNDERLAND 1-0 HULL (ADAM JOHNSON)
And they're off... and it's a goal! Unbelievable! I know Sunderland were favourites going into today's game, but that was some start, and Hull will be rueing how they came about conceding it. A poor backpass is seized by Johnson, who goes on to round the keeper and slot home to send the Black Cats fans wild!
How cruel for Hull captain Curtis Davies - he passed a late fitness test to start the match, but then goes on to provide the backpass that set the hosts well on their way.
Sunderland are passing the ball nicely while Hull are left reeling from that early blow, but the game has yet to get into any sort of rhythm after the chaotic opening exchanges.
Some signs of life from the visitors who are pushing back, eager to try and erase this early deficit. They're applying pressure on Sunderland's back four, but are unable to make their play count in the final third.
Sunderland break quickly and Fletcher sends a ball over the top for Larsson, who comes forward. The midfielder gets in behind the defence, but McGregor reads it well to come out and collect. That could have been very dangerous.
CHANCE! Despite a decent spell for Hull, here come the hosts again. A corner is delivered into the visitors' box, with O'Shea getting his head onto the ball, but the effort flies just over.
CHANCE! And again! Gomez finds Johnson on the left with a pinpoint ball, and the goalscorer then picks out Larsson into the area, but the midfielder goes on to scuff this great chance, snapping his shot wide of the far post.
CHANCE! It really is all Sunderland at the minute. The livewire Johnson weaves past two Hull defenders and floats the ball across goal to Fletcher, but the delivery is just too high for the Scot to convert.
BOOKING: Sunderland's Larsson picks up a yellow card for a needless tackle on Ramirez.
BOOKING: Hull weathered the earlier storm and now seem to be working their way back into the game as Aluko breaks clear of Coates, before Pantilimon comes to clear. Moments later, Brady gets fouled by Vergini on the left flank, which earns the Argentinian a booking.
More pressure from Hull as Ramirez makes a darting run through the centre, but his final ball for Aluko is thwarted by O'Shea, who clears the danger.
Elmohamady and Alvarez clash down the right flank as they chase for the ball, which goes out of play in the process. Referee Andre Marriner decides to give a goal kick rather than penalise either player.
The game has found itself going through a bit of a lull in the last few minutes, and play is now stopped as Pantilimon is given treatment after being hit while trying to catch a cross.
GOAL! SUNDERLAND 1-1 HULL (GASTON RAMIREZ)
And it's all level here at the Stadium of Light! Ramirez decided to try an audacious shot from long range, and luckily for him and his side, the ball appeared to take a lucky bounce a yard in front of Pantilimon before finding itself in the net.
Was Pantilimon still a bit shaken up following the hit a few minutes earlier? That was a bit of an awkward bounce leading up to the goal, but you could argue that the keeper should have done better. The game is held up again now as Elmohamady receives treatment following the equaliser.
The pendulum has swung from Sunderland to Hull, as the visitors now have a spring in their step against their opponents, who look shaky.
CHANCE! And of course as soon as I write that, the hosts then have a great chance as Alvarez breaks down the right and into the box, with Rosenior blocking his cross. The corner is poor, however, with Hull clearing easily.
PENALTY SHOUT! The Sunderland players are up in arms as Bruce appears to handle Johnson's flick past him, but Marriner signals for a corner instead. This will be debated about post-match, I'm sure.
CHANCE! Sunderland have another two - yes, two - claims for a penalty waved away before having the ball cleared off the line following Alvarez's effort. Poyet will not be pleased with all that!
BOOKING: Three minutes of added time to be played here as Chester is booked for a high tackle on Jones.
HALF TIME: SUNDERLAND 1-1 HULL CITY
Marriner brings an end to 45 minutes of action that began with a lightning-fast goal for the hosts, before a lucky equaliser for the visitors, and ended with a scramble in the box that saw a bevy of penalty appeals turned down for Sunderland. The referee on the receiving end of a lot of boos.
It looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for Hull following Johnson's goal after 30 seconds, but in the 32nd minute, Ramirez's shot skimmed past a crowd of players and the goalkeeper to level proceedings. But Sunderland will feel they should be in the lead following that chaotic scramble on the stroke of half time.
Adam Johnson will be pleased with his tally though - he's been on fire lately! His second goal in as many games.
© Getty Images
KICKOFF: The second half gets underway here, with all to play for. No changes for either side.
No goals as of the first 30 seconds of the second half...
It's been pretty scrappy so far following the restart. Maybe both sides are a bit tired following the frantic opening half?
BOOKING: Gomez earns himself a yellow card after catching Meyler with a reckless challenge.
GOAL! SUNDERLAND 1-2 HULL (JAMES CHESTER)
And the visitors are in the lead! Following Gomez's booking, a Hull free kick was then put out for a corner. With Sunderland under pressure following a succession of Tigers corners, Chester gets onto the end of Ramirez's set piece - their third corner in a row - to nod home!
Hull have scored just twice in nine games coming into today, but they now have two away goals to lead Sunderland after falling behind after 30 seconds. Football, eh?
BOOKING: Frustration is setting in now for the hosts as Fletcher fouls Quinn in the centre circle to earn himself a yellow.
CHANCE! A big chance for the ever-dominant Hull as Aluko gets a sight of goal, but his shot is poor and Pantilimon is able to save.
Ramirez goes down clutching his face after a challenge with Cattermole in the air. The game is paused while he receives treatment before Sunderland restart.
SUBSTITUTION: A double change for the Black Cats as Giaccherini replaces Alvarez, while Altidore is introduced in place of Gomez.
At this stage in the first half, it was all Sunderland. Now, it's all Hull. The hosts now look bewildered and lost as Bruce's charges control proceedings.
Sunderland appear to be converting into a 4-4-2 setup, with Altidore playing alongside Fletcher up front, while Johnson and Giaccherini will play on the wings with Cattermole and Larsson in the centre. Will this invigorate Poyet's side?
CHANCE! And the American substitute already makes an impact, collecting a pass and finding space on the edge of the box before taking a shot, which takes a deflection and goes behind for a corner.
CHANCE! Hull, however, launch forward and win a corner of their own, which Ramirez takes. The unmarked Davies heads the floating ball towards goal but Fletcher is on the line to fend it off!
It almost feels like Sunderland have just conceded defeat here - Hull are passing the ball around to try and kill some time, and the hosts are being so lacklustre in going after them to try and win it back.
BOOKINGS: Two in quick succession for both sides as Brady pushes Vergini away and is booked, before Jones sees yellow for bringing down Elmohamady.
CHANCE! Hull come forward again as Aluko curls a shot from the edge of the box, but it flies harmlessly off target.
SUBSTITUTION: A change for Hull as Sagbo comes on in place of goalscorer Ramirez. You'd have thought that Bruce would try and shore up his defence, but it looks as if he wants to go for the kill.
Sunderland continue to be wasteful in possession as Coates sends a long ball forward for nobody in particular, allowing McGregor to collect. The home crowd is not impressed here.
SUBSTITUTION: The hosts make their final change as Vergini comes off, with Buckley coming on in his place.
Sunderland have actually had the bulk of possession in the last five or so minutes, but they have done nothing with it. They're playing as if they were the side in front rather than the one chasing the game.
CHANCE! And the visitors drive forward once again, setting off on a counterattack with Sagbo playing a ball into the centre for Elmohamady to run onto. However, Pantilimon reads it well to get to it first.
SUBSTITUTIONS: A double change for Bruce's side as Brady and Aluko come off for Ince and Jelavic.
I wonder what's going on in Poyet's mind right now? His side started so well, only for the referee to deny not one but three penalty shouts, before the opposition got back into the game, took the lead and now appear set to win this. The Sunderland players have had all the energy and zest sucked out of them.
There will be six minutes of injury time added on.
Buckley weaves his way through the Hull defence before winning a corner. Sunderland to pour all their men forward.
Hull are seeing this game out pretty easily, exploiting the gaps in the Sunderland formation to maraud forward and nearly extend their lead several times over.
GOAL! SUNDERLAND 1-3 HULL (NIKICA JELAVIC)
And that is it! All hope has now vanished for the hosts as Hull strike their third and secure all three points! The substitute collects a pass from Elmohamady and slots the ball into the bottom corner. Sunderland had to gamble in pushing forward, but this is what happens on the flip side - it leaves you so exposed at the back.
FULL TIME: SUNDERLAND 1-3 HULL CITY
The final whistle blows at the Stadium of Light and it's been a torrid afternoon for Sunderland, who took the lead through Adam Johnson within the first 30 seconds and went on to dominate proceedings against beleaguered Hull - but following Gaston Ramirez's lucky goal in the 33rd minute and the failure of the referee to gift a penalty in a wild scramble, the visitors turned this right round and claimed all three points on Boxing Day!
Sunderland remain 14th in the Premier League table and four points clear of the drop, so it may not necessarily have been too bad for them, while Hull climb out of the relegation zone!
That's all we have time for here but stay tuned to Sports Mole as we bring you match analysis, player ratings and all the latest reaction from this game! Thanks for following us and enjoy the rest of your Boxing Day!
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
