Sunderland against West Ham United

James Tomkins slides to stop Asamoah Gyan's run towards goal. At the other, Obinna is penalised and it's a Sunderland free kick near half way.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Ahmed El Mohamady on for Jordan Henderson</b>

Danny Welbeck should have wrapped up the win! Gyan flicking a fantastic pass through to Richardson, who is halted by the onrushing Green. The ball falls to Welbeck, who is unable to find an empty net from 10 yards out!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Julien Faubert on for Tel Ben-Haim</b>

Scott Parker tries to divert an Obinna cross towards goal, his looping volley flying narrowly wide.

From the corner, Malbranque scuffs a half volley towards goal which Green catches.

A crazy clearance from Parker sends the ball looping towards his own goal. Rob Green has to tip it over for another corner...

Corner to Sunderland, it's end-to-end at the moment.

Victor Obinna hits the post! Carlton Cole fires a low cross in towards Spector, whose goal-scoring touch has clearly evaded him as he makes a complete hash of his attempted shot. The ball falls to Obinna, who unleashes a low drive which clips the outside of the post.

Obinna takes on Onouha down the left before firing a teasing low ball towards Piquionne. Ferdinand clears the danger.

Zavon Hines attempts to wriggle his way through a mass of bodies after the initial corner is cleared. He battles bravely, but is ultimately outnumbered.

Corner to West Ham as Onouha turns Scott Parker's cross behind...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Darren Bent on for Steed Malbranque</b>

Darren Bent offside as Onouha looks to release the England striker.

The delivery is decent, but evades everyone and runs through to Green.

Free kick Sunderland in a useful position...

West Ham eventually clear after Obinna had first hooked the ball accidentally back into his own box.

Corner Sunderland, a chance to seal the win...

Sunderland are starting to take control again and are looking to wrap up the three points.

Sunderland, and in particular Jordan Henderson waste a glorious opening. Him and Darren Bent finding themselves two-on-one with the West Ham defence. After exchanging passes, Henderson hesitates and West Ham recover.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Zavon Hines and Frederic Piquionne on for Kieron Dyer and Luis Boa Morte</b>

Free kick West Ham, Parker tripped by Ferdinand.

Frederic Piquionne and Zavon Hines getting ready to come on for West Ham...

Green called into action again, Cattermole robbing Parker before feeding Gyan. The Ghana man hits his shot early and Green palms away.

Kieron Richardson lets fly from long range, stinging the palms of Rob Green.

Danny Welbeck doing well, getting to the edge of the penalty area before seeing his shot block.

Sunderland are looking dangerous on the break, the pace of Welbeck, Bent and Gyan causing problems.

West Ham have discovered some sort of impetus, Kieron Dyer trying to make ground down the left.

Sunderland waste a short corner, Darren Bent being caught offside as the ball is delivered for a second time.

Asamoah Gyan blazes over after neat work from Welbeck. Sunderland looking to find a killer second goal.

Excellent pressure from Welbeck, dispossessing Ben-Haim on the edge of his own penalty area.

Craig Gordon doing well under pressure, finding Onouha with a decent pass.

Ferdinand is on his feet and back in the action.

Cole's shot is the closest West Ham have come, they need to create more chances to get back into this one.

Anton Ferdinand is down and looking hurt, it could be bad news for Sunderland who are already short of defenders.

Carlton Cole within inches of restoring parity! He receives the ball from Obinna before spinning away from Mensah and hitting a low, left-footed drive narrowly wide.

Danny Gabbidon with a rare forray forward. He does well to get a cross in, but Gordon gathers easily.

Great tackle by Welbeck, sliding in on Ben-Haim as he looks to clear.

<b>SECOND HALF</b> West Ham restart the game.

The teams are out for the second half.

Although the cold snap has taken its toll on the weekend's rugby, some matches remain and you can follow all the action on <A HREF=http://www.espnscrum.com/ target=new>ESPNscrum</A> and from Sunday morning, for those in the UK, you can watch highlights from all Aviva Premiership matches online.

Fancy Sunderland to rack up a cricket score today? They should be taking their cue from England who have been enjoying themselves over in Adelaide in the second Ashes Test against Australia. <A HREF= http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2010-11/content/current/story/490523.html target=new>Cricinfo's Andrew Miller</A> reports on Kevin Pietersen's heroics.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Sunderland are deservedly ahead at the break. West Ham need to improve vastly.

Scott Parker has a crack from 30 yards, his shot hitting Boa Morte and going wide.

A second corner in succession for West Ham...

Spector's run and shot is West Ham's best moment in an otherwise forgettable first half. They have a corner though...

Jonathan Spector almost scores a cracker! His drag back takes him away from two defenders and he makes a B-line for the Sunderland goal. Off balance he strikes at goal from the edge of the box only to see it trickle agonizingly wide.

Ferdinand attempts to flick on the cross at the nearpost but gets it wrong and it's a West Ham goal kick.

Corner to Sunderland, Cattermole's strike on goal deflected over the top.

Sunderland are again enjoying possession and are making West Ham work very hard. The Hammers lack any sort of spark.

Gyan a lot more involved now, he tries to burst into the box but is halted by Spector.

Thankfully for Sunderland, Mensah is back on his feet.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Carlton Cole</b> is carded for a petulent trip on John Mensah, after he fails to control a Kieron Dyer through ball.

Steve Bruce will be pleased to see his team go ahead. They had been on top with creating opportunities, so the opening goal will be a big relief.

Asamoah Gyan hits the cross bar! He over hits a cross from the left, but as it sails over everyone in the box, it clips the top of the bar!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Jordan Henderson opens the scoring!</b> Asamoah Gyan is released down the right flank, he looks up and sees Henderson bursting into the penalty area. His cut back is perfect and the England international calmly sidefoots past Rob Green.

A decent strike from Darren Bent, who has been starved of opportunities. His right-foot drive from the corner of the penalty are is easily saved by Green.

Danny Welbeck tries to keep the ball in play as he chases down Keiron Dyer, in the end, it rolls out for a West Ham goal kick.

Still no clear-cut chances, this game really needs a goal.

The first surge forward from Scott Parker, showing strength and power before laying off to Obinna. The Nigerian promptly loses possession.

Obinna with a hugely ambitious shot, it's well wide and Gordon is far from troubled.

Excellent defending from Nedum Onouha, shaking off Boa Morte before he clears.

Sunderland have enjoyed 70% of possession so far, a clear indication of their growing dominance.

Richardson with a fantastic burst forward, in the end it is for nothing though as Sunderland lose possession.

Carlton Cole capitalises on a horrible error from John Mensah, his touch is awful though and Ferdinand comes across to clear.

Sunderland are trying to put pressure on West Ham, Henderson having another cross blocked.

A peach of a cross from Jordan Henderson forces Tal Ben Haim to head over his own cross bar.

A powerfully-struck effort from Obinna, Gordon gets behind it and gathers well.

Welbeck tripping Spector, dangerous free kick for West Ham.

West Ham are keeping possession, although they are struggling to penetrate Sunderland's defence.

Richardson is involved again, Gyan doing well before teeing up the former United man, who lashes over the top from the edge of the box. A poor effort.

A shot of Keiron Richardson reveals he has shed his tiny ponytail, a sad day for football.

Keiron Dyer plays a sliding pass looking for Carlton Cole, Anton Ferdinand ushers the ball out of play.

A clean strike from Cattermole, letting fly from 25-yards, but it's straight into the arms of Rob Green.

Calls for a penalty from the Sunderland players. Their claiming a handball against James Tomkins but the referee waves play on.

The game is yet to really settle down, neither team has created a clear-cut chance.

Danny Welbeck flicks a header on towards Bent, but his header is too long.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Lee Cattermole</b> is carded for a late lunge on Boa Morte.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Luis Boa Morte</b> is booked for his challenge.

Tempers flaring up early doors, Boa Morte and Keiran Richardson squaring up to each other after a poor challenge from the veteran Portuguese.

The corner is punched clear by Green, who does well under heavy pressure.

Early corner for Sunderland, Phil Bardsley's cross is blocked.

A poor offside from Keiron Dyer, taking a throw in and then being caught out of position when the pass is returned to him.

Victor Obinna tries to find Carlton Cole with a long ball, it's over hit and Craig Gordon gathers.

An early chance for Danny Welbeck, Darren Bent with a cushioned header to the on-loan star and his goal-bound volley is blocked.

<b>KICK OFF</b> Sunderland get us started.

The teams are in the tunnel at the Stadium of Light...

Sunderland have named a very attacking formation, Danny Welbeck, Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan all start for Steve Bruce's men.

Although the cold snap has taken its toll on the weekend's rugby, some matches remain and you can follow all the action on <A HREF=http://www.espnscrum.com/ target=new>ESPNscrum</A> and from Sunday morning, for those in the UK, you can watch highlights from all Aviva Premiership matches online.

Fancy Sunderland to rack up a cricket score today? They should be taking their cue from England who have been enjoying themselves over in Adelaide in the second Ashes Test against Australia. <A HREF= http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2010-11/content/current/story/490523.html target=new>Cricinfo's Andrew Miller</A> reports on Kevin Pietersen's heroics.

Two-goal hero Jonathan Spector retains his place in the centre of midfield, in slightly more worrying news, West Ham have not named a goalkeeper among their substitutes.

Sunderland: Gordon, Onuoha, Mensah, Ferdinand, Bardsley, Henderson, Cattermole, Richardson, Welbeck, Bent, Gyan. Subs: Mignolet, Zenden, Malbranque, Angeleri, Da Silva, Riveros, Elmohamady. West Ham: Green, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Upson, Ben-Haim, Dyer, Parker, Spector, Boa Morte, Obinna, Cole. Subs: Reid, Barrera, Kovac, Faubert, Hines, Spence, Piquionne.

Let's get straight in with some team news...

After successfully saving their season against Wigan last week and dumping Manchester United out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday, West Ham now turn their attention to Sunderland for this afternoon's clash.

Live comments will appear here from 1545 GMT.

After hammering Manchester United in the Carling Cup, can West Ham continue their resurgence with a win at Sunderland? Carlton Cole scored twice in midweek and Avram Grant wants to <A HREF= http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=848639&sec=england&cc=5739 target=new>keep the striker</A>.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/1130/avramgrant20101130_275x155.jpg">

The delivery is decent, but evades everyone and runs through to Green.

Free kick Sunderland in a useful position...

West Ham eventually clear after Obinna had first hooked the ball accidentally back into his own box.

Corner Sunderland, a chance to seal the win...

Sunderland are starting to take control again and are looking to wrap up the three points.

Sunderland, and in particular Jordan Henderson waste a glorious opening. Him and Darren Bent finding themselves two-on-one with the West Ham defence. After exchanging passes, Henderson hesitates and West Ham recover.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Zavon Hines and Frederic Piquionne on for Kieron Dyer and Luis Boa Morte</b>

Free kick West Ham, Parker tripped by Ferdinand.

Frederic Piquionne and Zavon Hines getting ready to come on for West Ham...

Green called into action again, Cattermole robbing Parker before feeding Gyan. The Ghana man hits his shot early and Green palms away.

Kieron Richardson lets fly from long range, stinging the palms of Rob Green.

Danny Welbeck doing well, getting to the edge of the penalty area before seeing his shot block.

Sunderland are looking dangerous on the break, the pace of Welbeck, Bent and Gyan causing problems.

West Ham have discovered some sort of impetus, Kieron Dyer trying to make ground down the left.

Sunderland waste a short corner, Darren Bent being caught offside as the ball is delivered for a second time.

Asamoah Gyan blazes over after neat work from Welbeck. Sunderland looking to find a killer second goal.

Excellent pressure from Welbeck, dispossessing Ben-Haim on the edge of his own penalty area.

Craig Gordon doing well under pressure, finding Onouha with a decent pass.

Ferdinand is on his feet and back in the action.

Cole's shot is the closest West Ham have come, they need to create more chances to get back into this one.

Anton Ferdinand is down and looking hurt, it could be bad news for Sunderland who are already short of defenders.

Carlton Cole within inches of restoring parity! He receives the ball from Obinna before spinning away from Mensah and hitting a low, left-footed drive narrowly wide.

Danny Gabbidon with a rare forray forward. He does well to get a cross in, but Gordon gathers easily.

Great tackle by Welbeck, sliding in on Ben-Haim as he looks to clear.

<b>SECOND HALF</b> West Ham restart the game.

The teams are out for the second half.

Although the cold snap has taken its toll on the weekend's rugby, some matches remain and you can follow all the action on <A HREF=http://www.espnscrum.com/ target=new>ESPNscrum</A> and from Sunday morning, for those in the UK, you can watch highlights from all Aviva Premiership matches online.

Fancy Sunderland to rack up a cricket score today? They should be taking their cue from England who have been enjoying themselves over in Adelaide in the second Ashes Test against Australia. <A HREF= http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2010-11/content/current/story/490523.html target=new>Cricinfo's Andrew Miller</A> reports on Kevin Pietersen's heroics.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Sunderland are deservedly ahead at the break. West Ham need to improve vastly.

Scott Parker has a crack from 30 yards, his shot hitting Boa Morte and going wide.

A second corner in succession for West Ham...

Spector's run and shot is West Ham's best moment in an otherwise forgettable first half. They have a corner though...

Jonathan Spector almost scores a cracker! His drag back takes him away from two defenders and he makes a B-line for the Sunderland goal. Off balance he strikes at goal from the edge of the box only to see it trickle agonizingly wide.

Ferdinand attempts to flick on the cross at the nearpost but gets it wrong and it's a West Ham goal kick.

Corner to Sunderland, Cattermole's strike on goal deflected over the top.

Sunderland are again enjoying possession and are making West Ham work very hard. The Hammers lack any sort of spark.

Gyan a lot more involved now, he tries to burst into the box but is halted by Spector.

Thankfully for Sunderland, Mensah is back on his feet.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Carlton Cole</b> is carded for a petulent trip on John Mensah, after he fails to control a Kieron Dyer through ball.

Steve Bruce will be pleased to see his team go ahead. They had been on top with creating opportunities, so the opening goal will be a big relief.

Asamoah Gyan hits the cross bar! He over hits a cross from the left, but as it sails over everyone in the box, it clips the top of the bar!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Jordan Henderson opens the scoring!</b> Asamoah Gyan is released down the right flank, he looks up and sees Henderson bursting into the penalty area. His cut back is perfect and the England international calmly sidefoots past Rob Green.

A decent strike from Darren Bent, who has been starved of opportunities. His right-foot drive from the corner of the penalty are is easily saved by Green.

Danny Welbeck tries to keep the ball in play as he chases down Keiron Dyer, in the end, it rolls out for a West Ham goal kick.

Still no clear-cut chances, this game really needs a goal.

The first surge forward from Scott Parker, showing strength and power before laying off to Obinna. The Nigerian promptly loses possession.

Obinna with a hugely ambitious shot, it's well wide and Gordon is far from troubled.

Excellent defending from Nedum Onouha, shaking off Boa Morte before he clears.

Sunderland have enjoyed 70% of possession so far, a clear indication of their growing dominance.

Richardson with a fantastic burst forward, in the end it is for nothing though as Sunderland lose possession.

Carlton Cole capitalises on a horrible error from John Mensah, his touch is awful though and Ferdinand comes across to clear.

Sunderland are trying to put pressure on West Ham, Henderson having another cross blocked.

A peach of a cross from Jordan Henderson forces Tal Ben Haim to head over his own cross bar.

A powerfully-struck effort from Obinna, Gordon gets behind it and gathers well.

Welbeck tripping Spector, dangerous free kick for West Ham.

West Ham are keeping possession, although they are struggling to penetrate Sunderland's defence.

Richardson is involved again, Gyan doing well before teeing up the former United man, who lashes over the top from the edge of the box. A poor effort.

A shot of Keiron Richardson reveals he has shed his tiny ponytail, a sad day for football.

Keiron Dyer plays a sliding pass looking for Carlton Cole, Anton Ferdinand ushers the ball out of play.

A clean strike from Cattermole, letting fly from 25-yards, but it's straight into the arms of Rob Green.

Calls for a penalty from the Sunderland players. Their claiming a handball against James Tomkins but the referee waves play on.

The game is yet to really settle down, neither team has created a clear-cut chance.

Danny Welbeck flicks a header on towards Bent, but his header is too long.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Lee Cattermole</b> is carded for a late lunge on Boa Morte.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Luis Boa Morte</b> is booked for his challenge.

Tempers flaring up early doors, Boa Morte and Keiran Richardson squaring up to each other after a poor challenge from the veteran Portuguese.

The corner is punched clear by Green, who does well under heavy pressure.

Early corner for Sunderland, Phil Bardsley's cross is blocked.

A poor offside from Keiron Dyer, taking a throw in and then being caught out of position when the pass is returned to him.

Victor Obinna tries to find Carlton Cole with a long ball, it's over hit and Craig Gordon gathers.

An early chance for Danny Welbeck, Darren Bent with a cushioned header to the on-loan star and his goal-bound volley is blocked.

<b>KICK OFF</b> Sunderland get us started.

The teams are in the tunnel at the Stadium of Light...

Sunderland have named a very attacking formation, Danny Welbeck, Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan all start for Steve Bruce's men.

Although the cold snap has taken its toll on the weekend's rugby, some matches remain and you can follow all the action on <A HREF=http://www.espnscrum.com/ target=new>ESPNscrum</A> and from Sunday morning, for those in the UK, you can watch highlights from all Aviva Premiership matches online.

Fancy Sunderland to rack up a cricket score today? They should be taking their cue from England who have been enjoying themselves over in Adelaide in the second Ashes Test against Australia. <A HREF= http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2010-11/content/current/story/490523.html target=new>Cricinfo's Andrew Miller</A> reports on Kevin Pietersen's heroics.

Two-goal hero Jonathan Spector retains his place in the centre of midfield, in slightly more worrying news, West Ham have not named a goalkeeper among their substitutes.

Sunderland: Gordon, Onuoha, Mensah, Ferdinand, Bardsley, Henderson, Cattermole, Richardson, Welbeck, Bent, Gyan. Subs: Mignolet, Zenden, Malbranque, Angeleri, Da Silva, Riveros, Elmohamady. West Ham: Green, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Upson, Ben-Haim, Dyer, Parker, Spector, Boa Morte, Obinna, Cole. Subs: Reid, Barrera, Kovac, Faubert, Hines, Spence, Piquionne.

Let's get straight in with some team news...

After successfully saving their season against Wigan last week and dumping Manchester United out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday, West Ham now turn their attention to Sunderland for this afternoon's clash.

Live comments will appear here from 1545 GMT.

After hammering Manchester United in the Carling Cup, can West Ham continue their resurgence with a win at Sunderland? Carlton Cole scored twice in midweek and Avram Grant wants to <A HREF= http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=848639&sec=england&cc=5739 target=new>keep the striker</A>.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/1130/avramgrant20101130_275x155.jpg">