Sunderland took on Norwich City this afternoon desperate for a third victory of the campaign to boost their fleeting hopes of survival.
Norwich arrived on Wearside looking for a win to take them into the top of the table, but were frustrated in a tight first 45 minutes.
Gus Poyet's side largely controlled possession but lacked quality in the final third, with both sides forced to settle for a battling point.
Look back at how a Premier League six-pointer unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Good afternoon Premier League fans. Another packed weekend of action continues today at the Stadium of Light and Sports Mole has got you covered, with a huge clash between Sunderland and Norwich City our feature match.
For Sunderland victory today is absolutely essential, with the arrival of Gus Poyet not enough to prevent the Mackems being bottom of the table and four points away from closest strugglers Fulham. Time is fast running out for Sunderland to turn things round and mount a sustained challenge for Premier League survival.
Sunderland fans go have genuine reason to be optimistic this afternoon though, after their side showed fighting spirit in spades to beat Chelsea in the League Cup on Tuesday night. League form is what counts though, which means anything other than a victory today would have to be viewed as a genuine disappointment.
Norwich meanwhile should also arrive on Wearside with thoughts of taking three precious points home, after surviving a shaky spell to climb the table in recent weeks. The Canaries swiftly rejected any pressure on coach Chris Hughton following a poor run of results earlier in the campaign, a show of faith which has been rewarded with 14th place in the table.
The form of summer signing Gary Hooper has definitely been a factor in a recent Norwich revival, with the former Celtic striker bagging his fourth league goal last weekend in a 1-1 draw with Swansea. Hooper looks primed to improve that tally today, a clinical finisher if provided with consistent service in the final third.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! The starting lineups are at the Stadium of Light and feature changes for Sunderland, with Fabio Borini's goal against Chelsea in midweek enough to earn a recall. A full look at both teams will follow in just a few moments.
SUNDERLAND XI: Mannone, Celustka, Bardsley, Brown, O'Shea, Cattermole, Ki, Larsson, Borini, Giaccherini, Altidore
NORWICH XI: Ruddy, Whittaker, Turner, Bassong, Olsson, Snodgrass, Fer, Johnson, Redmond, Elmander, Hooper
Today's Sunderland team features three changes, with Borini the most notable inclusion as he takes Adam Johnson's place in an advanced wide role. There are also recalls for Phil Bardsley and Ki, who is picked in midfield fresh from slamming home the winner against Chelsea in extra-time on Wednesday.
Borini's inclusion will mean lone striker Jozy Altidore will be flanked by the Italian and Emanuele Giaccherini, with Ki and Sebastian Larsson supporting from midfield.
Norwich have made just a single change to the team which drew with Swnasea last Sunday, which sees Robert Snodgrass return to replace Johnny Howson in midfield. Gary Hooper and Johan Elmander will continue in attack, a partnership which has shown potential in recent weeks.
BENCH WATCH! There are a pair of notable players among the Sunderland substitutes this afternoon, with Steven Flethcer and Jack Colback both back from illness and in the matchday squad. A full look at the options waiting in the wings will follow shortly.
SUNDERLAND SUBS: Dossena, Gardner, Fletcher, Johnson, Colback, Roberge, Pickford
NORWICH SUBS: Bunn, van Wolfswinkel, Hoolahan, Garrido, Becchio, R Bennett, Josh Murphy
Norwich fans will be very happy to see Ricky van Wolfswinkel back on the bench, with the Dutch poacher fit for the first time since October after overcoming a toe injury.
The Canaries have won just two of their eight away games this season, but beat West Brom at the Hawthorns a fortnight ago in arguably their most impressive showing of the campaign. Hughton will hope to see a similar showing this afternoon, knowing that a victory could move them into the top half for Christmas.
Sunderland could only dream of looking that high up the table, with Poyet probably content with just getting within touching distance of relegation rivals Fulham and West Ham for now.
The Mackems have won just two league games all season and are without a victory in their last five, the kind of statistics which have relegation written all over them. Poyet's men look capable of improving that form though, particularly following that rousing fightback against Chelsea.
Defensive frailties have largely been their undoing, with 30 goals given away the joint-worst in the Premier League. John O'Shea and Wes Brown were immense against Chelsea though, providing the kind of solid platform which has been sorely missing on Wearside so far this season.
PREDICTION! The two teams are out and there is just time for me to suggest that Sunderland are primed to pick up a vital win this afternoon, with Borini capable of riding the wave of that goal against Chelsea to make a big impact. I'll go for 2-1 to the Mackems, but Norwich have every right to think otherwise with Hooper in such strong form.
We are just moments away from kickoff, with a minute's silence from Sunderland to commemorate their fans who have passed away in 2013 a nice touch.
We are underway at the Stadium of Light, with Norwich taking kickoff and shooting from left to right. Three Premier League points would be massive for either side this afternoon.
Norwich are on the offensive early on and win a corner kick, as Redmod's cross in search of Hooper cleared behind by Bardsley. Snodgrass takes the corner short to Johnson, with Hoope eventually flashing a dangerous cross along the six-yard box and just ahead of Bassong at the back post.
More like it from Sunderland as Altidore comes out wide to help build an attack, but Celustka is unable to keep the ball in play on the touchline.
Norwich striker Elmander just appears to be favouring a hamstring injury as he comes towards the bench, but decides against treatment and continues for now. Sunderland go forward through Giaccherini as play continues, but are unable to get meaningful service into the final third.
The visitors have hopeful penalty appeals rightly turned away as Bardsley muscles out Snodgrass in the area, before Mannone parries a strike from Redmond that looked to be heading just inside the near post.
Sunderland's first chance to threaten comes from a deep Larsson free kick, which is quickly headed well clear of danger by Turner against his old club.
A strong run from Borini down the right sees the Italian show Redmond a clean pair of heels to reach the byline, but he is just unable to find Ki waiting with a cross to the opposite flank. More like it from the hosts.
Bardsley is rather fortunate to see a high challenge on Fer escape punishment as Sunderland press forwad, with the ball eventually reaching Larsson to smash high over the crossbar from 25 yards. Norwich are soon smashing into the box at the other end with a free kick though, with Bassong flagged for offside as he attempts to head towards goal.
Turner's timely interception just stops Altidore cutting inside to shoot from close range, but any hopes of Sunderland rebuilding to threaten are ended when Snodgrass cuts out Bardsley's throw-in.
Another Larsson attempt from range fails to trouble Ruddy as a low effort trickles wide, with Cattermole clattering into a tackle to concede a free kick near the halfway line soon after.
Norwich are just starting to seize control in midfield as Fer finds Olsson out wide, but his cross whipped into the penalty area is aimed to nobody in particular. A lack of cutting edge right now from both sides as Cattermole sends a stray pass out of play.
The visitors have a player down as Elmander hits the deck holding his head, after taking an arm to the face from Borini in an aerial duel. When play resumes Borini drives inside and lets fly after being released by Ki, smashing wide of Ruddy's near post.
Johnson is very lucky not to be booked after a clear show of dissent in protest at a decision going against him in midfield. A free kick follows and falls to Altidore, who decides to take an extra touch which allows a covering defender to block his shot. Ki does exactly the same thing moments later, failing to pull the trigger properly from a Giaccherini cutback.
Norwich win successive corner kicks but are unable to make either cross count, as Fer is penalised for a push at the far post to concede a free kick.
Sunderland continue to try their luck from distance as Giaccherini launches a low strike towards goal from 25 yards, dipping in front of Ruddy, who claims comfortably with a confident catch.
The best chance of the match by some distance falls to Fer just before stoppage time, as the ball spills to the Dutchman in space just inside the penalty area. His low strike lacks power though, giving Mannone time to adjust and dive to claw the ball away from the bottom corner.
HALF-TIME Sunderland 0-0 Norwich
Goalless at the interval then with chances at a premium, despite Sunderland shading possession. The hosts have struggled to create chances for lone striker Altidore, who looks to be lacking confidence in the final third.
Norwich have been unable to provide in-form Hooper with any meaningful service so far today, although Redomons looks lively out wide. The visitors will not want to settle for a point against the bottom club and should look to get more men forward after the break.
Sunderland have largely been restricted to shots from range so far today, with Bardsley, Larsson and Giaccherini all deciding to smash at goal from range. The hosts need more men to get forward and support Altidore, particularly Borini, Ki and Larsson.
Norwich on the other hand have given Mannone more to do, most notably keeping Fer out before the break. Expect that trend to continue after the interval, particularly if the visitors can get Redmons isolated against Celustka in dangerous positions.
Back underway at the Stadium of Light with no changes in personnel. Sunderland are back in possession as Ki sprays wide to Celustka.
Still a lack of quality service for Sunderland despite Ki's attempt to dictate play, as Giaccherini is robbed in midfield. The hosts then struggle to shut down Redmond, who sends a cross beyond the far post.
YELLOW CARD! Whittaker is the first player cautioned after conceding a free kick just outside the penalty area, with Borini brought down after getting a flick on a mistake in the Norwich back four. Larsson lines it up but can only hit the wall, having to settle for a corner kick.
Sunderland have a real concern as O'Shea goes down following a collision with Bardsley attacking Larsson's corner kick, but soon returns despite initially holding his shoulder in some discomfort.
O'Shea has attempted to run off that shoulder problem but soon drops to one knee in pain. The Mackems captain comes to the touchline for more treatment but looks desperate to continue.
Sunderland really should have registered at least a shot on target as Brown cuts back to Celustka after both stayed forward from a corner kick, but the full-back delays his shot and allows a covering defender to get back and clear. O'Shea is back on and continues, as Whittaker fires wide at the other end.
The hosts look hungry and are pressing high up the pitch, with Altidore and Larsson chasing down Norwich players in quick succession to retrieve possession. Positive signs for Sunderland.
Back come Norwich as Snodgrass wins a corner kick, but Sunderland regroup to clear. The visitors soon have Snodgrass back on the ball as he looks to cross from the flank, with his effort blocked by Borini.
SUBSTITUTION: Sunderland have made a positive change as Giaccherini is replaced by Adam Johnson, looking for better service from wide positions. Soon after Johnson comes on a mix-up in the Norwich defence nearly sees Borini get a free strike on goal, but Turner recovers and does just enough to put the forward off.
Norwich could quite easily be ahead after Snodgrass picked out Hooper with a curling cross into the box, but his header fails to make the difference. Sunderland make a change soon after, with Altidore replaced by Fletcher.
CHANCE! Fletcher's introduction nearly produces an instant reward for Poyet, as Norwich fail to deal with a devilish corner from Larsson. His cross was flicked on by Brown and sliced by Turner, with the ball coming off Fletcher and the post before bouncing clear.
Norwich retreat to their own box as Snodgrass puts in a meaty challenge on Johnson out side. Sunderland eventually work the ball to Fletcher's feet, but his little flick just misses a bust into the box from Ki.
YELLOW CARD! Larsson is next in the book after showing studs in a high challenge in midfield. Norwich make a change before taking the free kick, swapping Elmander for Van Wolfswinkel for his first appearance since October.
Sunderland are building momentum as Ruddy is forced to hold O'Shea's header, with Fletcher denied the chance to meet a dangerous cross by a last-ditch interception from Turner just moments earlier.
Missed chances at both ends in quick succession. First Van Wolfswinkel hits straight to Mannone, before Sunderland break as Borini beats an onrushing Ruddy to the ball outside the box. His quick cross finds Ki, who hits over an empty net with players in the way from 20 yards.
We have a break in play so Bardsley can get treatment, after taking the ball full in the face following a smash from Van Wolfswinek. The full-back is clearly made of strong stuff though, continuing soon after.
Sunderland win a late free kick after Turner tangles with Fletcher, providing a late chance to get players forward. Larsson's free kick is headed away at the far post by Van Wolfswikel though, as we head towards stoppage time.
Well into four added minutes but no sign of a late winner, as Brown blocks a strike from Fer. Late penalty appeals are then waved away as Bassong chests down, with an outstretched arm making no contact.
RED CARD! Wes Brown has been dismissed in stoppage time for a tackle over the top of the ball near the corner flag. That's a huge blow for Sunderland heading into a busy run of festive fixtures.
FULL-TIME Sunderland 0-0 Norwich
It ends goalless at the Stadium of Light, with neither side able to force a breakthrough in an evenly-matched affair.
That just about ends our live text coverage from the Stadium of Light, as Sunderland add a solitary point to their survival bid. Thanks for your company and be sure to stick with Sports Mole for comprehensive reaction in around 30 minutes. Good afternoon.
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
