Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League encounter as Sunderland welcome Southampton to the Stadium of Light. We should have some team news through for you shortly...

SOUTHAMPTON: Boruc; Chambers, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Cork, Schneiderlin, S Davis, Lallana; Rodriguez, Lambert

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: K Davis, Clyne, Yoshida, Ramirez, Ward-Prowse, Do Prado, Hooiveld

Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino has opted to make one change to the side that beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 last weekend as Calum Chambers replaces Nathaniel Clyne.

SUNDERLAND: Mannone; Bardsley, Alonso, Brown, O'Shea; Cattermole, Larsson, Ki, Johnson; Borini, Altidore

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Gardner, Fletcher, Celustka, Pickford, Colback, Giaccherini, Roberge

Gus Poyet makes two changes to the Sunderland starting XI as Seb Larsson and Jozy Altidore come in for Jack Colback and Steven Fletcher, both of whom are named among the substitutes.

Hosts Sunderland have a huge carrot dangling in front of them today because they can drag themselves out of the relegation zone if they pick up the three points. Wins have been hard to come by for the Black Cats this season, but they managed to earn their fourth of the campaign last weekend with a comfortable 4-1 victory at Fulham.

Sunderland come into this match just one point adrift of safety, so a win today would be absolutely huge for the Wearsiders. You can take a look at the current Premier League table right here.

While there may be a small sense of optimism around Sunderland, it's been a difficult week off the pitch for Southampton. The club was dealt a blow on Wednesday with the news that Nicola Cortese would be stepping down from his position as chairman.

Cortese's departure threw manager Mauricio Pochettino's future into doubt after the Argentine had previously said that he would leave if Cortese left. However, Pochettino calmed speculation on Thursday by insisting that he would be staying at the club. Southampton fans are sure to have let out a big sigh of relief following that news as the coach has turned the team into a very decent outfit indeed.

The Saints start the day in ninth place in the table, though they will move up to eighth position if they win this afternoon. Newcastle United currently occupy the spot above them.

Jozy #Altidore back in the #safc starting XI today! #hawaythelads pic.twitter.com/FUj02yu6IJ — Sunderland AFC (@SAFCofficial) January 18, 2014

Sunderland are sure to have their collective tails up after beating Fulham so conclusively last weekend, but there's no escaping the fact that they have the worst home form in the Premier League. The Black Cats have taken just seven points from a possible 30 at the Stadium of Light.

81% - Artur Boruc has a PL save percentage of 81% this season, compared to 44% for Kelvin Davis and 38% by Paolo Gazzaniga. Return. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 18, 2014

RECENT FORM:

SUNDERLAND: WLDWDD
SOUTHAMPTON: WLLWLD

REFEREE WATCH: The official for today's match is Chris Foy.

HEAD TO HEAD: When it comes to past meetings between these teams, it's Southampton who have the better record with 21 wins to Sunderland's 17. Meanwhile, there have been 12 draws since they first met back in 1960.

The teams played out a 1-1 draw when they met at St Mary's Stadium at the start of the season before Sunderland recorded a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light in November to reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

This fixture last season ended 1-1, while Sunderland picked up a 1-0 victory at St Mary's Stadium.

PREDICTION TIME: We here at Sports Mole have a hunch that this will be a fairly entertaining encounter this afternoon. We expect goals in a 2-2 draw. Just under 10 minutes until this one gets underway.

Interesting to see the Southampton players engaged in a very close huddle during their warm-up. The squad was known to be fond of Nicola Cortese, so there may be something of a siege mentality about them today.

The players are just starting to emerge in the tunnel at the Stadium of Light as we edge closer to kickoff. Not long to go now until this one gets underway. The rather ominous music of 'Dance of the Knights' by Prokofiev is blaring out of the PA system inside the ground.

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Sunderland to kick us off. Here we go!

Southampton have set out their stall already during the opening few minutes, passing the ball around and making Sunderland work for possession. There's a cracking atmosphere inside the Stadium of Light, with the home fans making the majority of the noise.

What a goal from Jay Rodriguez to give Southampton an early lead! Sunderland failed to clear the ball away from the edge of their box before the forward smashed an unstoppable half-volley past Mannone from about 25 yards. That was sensational from the England international.

Southampton are looking very good at the moment, while Sunderland appear sluggish as they try to get hold of the ball. That Rodriguez goal was a beauty, though the defending from the home side was not the best. Still, the home fans continue to get behind their team.

YELLOW CARD: Guess who? Lee Cattermole goes into the book for Sunderland after tripping Rodriguez in the most cynical way imaginable. That was ridiculously stupid from the midfielder.

We've only had 13 minutes played, but the Sunderland fans are already starting to voice some frustration as their side struggles to get into this match. Southampton are looking very comfortable on the ball, while the hosts can't keep hold of it. At this rate you'd put your house on the away team getting another.

CHANCE! Nearly a second for Southampton! A cross from the right was met by Rodriguez, but the forward is denied as his shot is blocked. The visitors then win a couple of corners, though they can't make anything of them.

Sunderland are being completely overwhelmed by Southampton. There's no other way to put it. Gus Poyet is down on the touchline and he is absolutely furious with what he's seeing. The hosts have shown nothing so far in terms of attacking intent.

CHANCE! Close again for the visitors! Lambert and Schneiderlin play a delightful one-two inside the box before the former flashes his effort narrowly wide of the far post. It's almost as if the Sunderland defence have not been told that they're in a match.

7 - Jay Rodriguez has scored six goals and assisted one in his last seven away Premier League appearances. Update.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 18, 2014

This is a bit better from Sunderland. They're keeping the ball more, though they've yet to carve out any clear openings.

CHANCE! That really should be 2-0. Brown gives the ball away to Lambert right on the edge of the Sunderland box before the striker plays in Rodriguez. The goalscorer takes a touch and then tries to guide the ball into the far corner, but Mannone gets down low to make the save.

Now it's 2-0! Southampton double their lead thanks to a tidy finish from Dejan Lovren. Davis's corner was whipped in from the right, and there was the centre-back to guide an impressive volley past Mannone and into the net.

Would you believe it?! Sunderland have been absolutely woeful so far this afternoon, but now they have something to work with thanks to Fabio Borini. Johnson hit a cross in from the right towards the Italian, who took a touch before firing home. Game on!

The whole atmosphere inside the Stadium of Light has changed following that goal. The Sunderland fans were booing loudly after Lovren made it 2-0, though they're now fully behind their side. It's as if a different team has suddenly decided to turn up.

YELLOW CARD: Chris Foy brings play back to book Sunderland Ki Sung-Yueng for a foul on Jack Cork. Southampton are starting to take control of the game once more following a decent spell for Sunderland.

CHANCE! Close to a third goal for Southampton as Lambert fires a cross in towards Lallana. However, the midfielder has Brown for company and can only get a tame shot away that Mannone deals with. Five minutes of normal time left at the end of this first half.

Both teams continue to keep their foot on the gas as we head towards half-time. Sunderland are finishing strongly.

Two minutes of added time are indicated by the fourth official...

SAVE! That's a decent stop by Mannone to deny Lambert after the striker had hit a ferocious free kick towards goal.

Chris Foy blows the half-time whistle and it's Southampton who head down the tunnel the happier of the two teams as they lead Sunderland 2-1. Jay Rodriguez and Dejan Lovren had given the visitors a 2-0 advantage before Fabio Borini pulled a goal back for the hosts.

Well, that was quite a first half. Southampton were dominant during the opening 45 minutes, but Sunderland have given themselves a glimmer of hope despite their poor display.

IMAGE: Borini pulls one back for the Black Cats. pic.twitter.com/govGqisJhI

— Sunderland AFC (@SAFCofficial) January 18, 2014

It's still difficult to see Southampton not coming away with the points following their first-half performance. If they do more of the same after the break then they will surely earn the win. That said, Sunderland now have the chance to start afresh when they come back out.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Right, the players are back out and it will be Southampton to get us back underway.

It's been an encouraging start to the second half for Sunderland as they look to get back on terms quickly. The visitors earn themselves a couple of corners, though they can't make anything of them.

Southampton have got all hands to the pump at the moment, trying to keep Sunderland at bay. The Black Cats continue to ask all of the questions at the start of this second half. Whatever Gus Poyet said during the break has obviously worked.

Southampton start putting a few passes together as Lambert leads a counter-attack. The ball is eventually played out to Chambers on the edge of the box, but the youngster's long-range effort is comfortably saved by Mannone.

SAVE! Wonderful from Southampton as Lallana and Rodriguez link well before the latter tries his luck from 20 yards. It's a decent strike from the forward, though Mannone does well to get down and gather the ball at the second time of asking.

Southampton are starting to show their dominance in this match once again following Sunderland good start to the second half. The visitors are showing plenty of confidence going forward, while the hosts are beginning to sit back.

Another save from Mannone, this time to deny Shaw's low drive from the edge of the box. Southampton are being afforded so much space at the moment by Sunderland. Can they take advantage?

SUBSTITUTION: Sunderland make their first changes of the match as Craig Gardner and Jack Colback enter the action in place of Lee Cattermole and Seb Larsson.

1 - Sunderland have only gained one point from a losing position this season, a joint-low with Crystal Palace and West Ham. Opportunity.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 18, 2014

DISALLOWED GOAL! Sunderland think they've equalised through Borini, but the flag goes up for offside. The Italian was about half a yard ahead of the last defender, so it's the right decision.

A few of the Sunderland subs are warming up, including Steven Fletcher. Will Gus Poyet throw the Scot on as we enter the final 20 minutes of the match? They need a goal from somewhere because they're not really threatening at the moment. Southampton are still on top.

Oh my word, what a goal from Adam Johnson to bring Sunderland level! The winger popped up on the right side of the box before smashing an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net with his weaker right foot. What an incredible turnaround at the Stadium of Light!

SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes for both sides here as Steven Fletcher replaces Jozy Altidore for Sunderland. Meanwhile, Gaston Ramirez comes on for Adam Lallana for Southampton.

CHANCE! So close for Sunderland! The ball pings around in the Southampton box following a corner before Fletcher shoots from a tight angle. However, Boruc is there to deny the Scot. Frantic scenes!

This match really could go either way now which is amazing to think after Southampton dominated so much in the first half. They could have put the game to bed but for some wasteful finishing in front of goal. Instead, Sunderland have hung in there and are right back in it.

Ten minutes of normal time left at the Stadium of Light. The momentum is swinging one way and then the other at the moment. Meanwhile, Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc looks like he might be struggling with a groin problem.

Southampton want a free kick on the edge of the Sunderland box after Ramirez was hacked down by Brown. However, Chris Foy waves play on. Not a good decision from the official because that was a nasty one from Brown.

SUBSTITUTION: Such was the nastiness of that foul by Brown, Ramirez is being stretchered off. He looks to be in a lot of pain. James Ward-Prowse is on in his place.

SUBSTITUTION: Dejan Lovren is also forced off on a stretcher for Southampton after a clash with Gardner. It's been a nightmare couple of minutes for the visitors. Maya Yoshida replaces the defender.

The fourth official has indicated that there will be SEVEN MINUTES of added time. Will we have a winner come the final whistle?

Both teams are continuing to push for a winning goal as stoppage time ticks away. There's not so much in the way of passing football now though as the two sides thump the ball forward whenever they can.

We're into the final minute of stoppage time...

The full-time whistle goes and it has ended 2-2 between Sunderland and Southampton. The visitors looked to be in total control when Jay Rodriguez and Dejan Lovren put them 2-0 up, but goals from Fabio Borini and Adam Johnson saw the hosts fight back to earn a share of the spoils.

Anyway, that's all from me but don't forget that you can follow live text coverage of all today's other matches in the Premier League right here on Sports Mole so have a look around and see what takes your fancy. Thank you very much for your company and we hope to see you soon. Goodbye!