Ighalo could and really should have wrapped this up. He ties Coates in knots but then fires straight at Pantilimon. How have we only had one goal this afternoon?
That's it! Full time here. Sunderland 0-1 Watford.
90' +2
A fair few Sunderland fans have seen enough and are pouring out of the stadium. As they do, there was half a chance for Toivonen but Gomes did just enough to keep the ball out of harms way.
90'
WIDE! Adam Johnson is the latest player to miss a guilt edged chance for Sunderland. M'Vila's cross finds its way to the winger at the far post but the former Middlesbrough winger can't cut across the ball enough and his shot flashes past the post. They've certainly had the opportunities in the last few minutes.
88'
Watford are edging towards what would be the first time they have won three top flight matches in a row in 28 years but there is still work for them to do. Guédioura sees a speculative shot beaten away well by Pantilimon. Sunderland are preparing to throw the kitchen sink at the visitors now.
86'
CLOSE! So close for Sunderland! van Aanholt puts in a wonderful cross from the left towards Defoe in the centre. The former England striker beats Gomes to the ball but sees his poked effort trickle just past the post.
84'
It's really opened up now. Guédioura and Ighalo almost had the freedom of the Sunderland half but Coates did brilliantly to get back and recover. That could have been game, set and match for Watford.
82'
Chances at either end! First Ighalo bursts clear and sees his low shot smothered by Pantilimon. Then Defoe creates some space for himself in the Watford penalty area before being denied by a superb save by Gomes. It looked for all the world that Sunderland had grabbed themselves an equaliser. What a save from Gomes!
80'
Unsuprisingly, Watford have been taking every opportunity to slow the game down in the second half as they look to see this match out. Sunderland on the other hand are really trying to force the issue but their final ball has let been their undoing far too often.
78'
WIDE! Watmore picks up a loose ball in the last third and drives towards the Watford goal. He gets a good shot away but it swerves wide of the post. That looked to have taken a deflection to me but the referee gives a goal kick instead. Time running out for Sunderland.
76'
I. Anya enters the game and replaces José Jurado.
Anya enters the action and will give Watford great pace and directness on the counter attack. Jurado, like Watford made a bright start to the came but had rather been on the fringes of things in the second half.
Minute
Description
75'
Defoe has the ball in the back of the net...but it won't count! Good decision from the linesman. Watmore played a nice pass through to the former Spurs striker but Defoe went just too early and was correctly flagged offside.
74'
Defoe, as lively as ever, has immediately got straight involved in the action and gives Sunderland a different attacking option. No player in Premier League history has scored more goals than Defoe after coming off the bench. How the Black Cats could do with one today.
72'
J. Defoe enters the game and replaces S. Fletcher.
Bit of a strange sub here. Just when you thought that Sunderland were going to go two up top, Allardyce then makes a like-for-like swap. Fletcher look far from amused as he was withdrawn. Not really sure what the thinking is behind that one to be honest.
71'
Watford are sitting deeper and deeper to see if Sunderland are good enough to break them down. The visitors do however continue to look a threat on the breakaway.
69'
A. Guédioura enters the game and replaces A. Abdi.
Adlène Guédioura comes on for Watford's first change. Almen Abdi had covered a huge amount of ground this afternoon so it is no surprise to see him make way.
67'
The game is starting to get stretched and for the first time in the match Watford look a little tired. They have expended a lot of energy in the first hour or so of this contest and it is perhaps starting to catch up with them. Sunderland continue to lack numbers in the penalty area when they cross the ball in.
64'
OVER! van Aanholt's driven cross is miscontrolled by Watmore but it falls kindly to Rodwell who looks to swivel on the ball and hit it first time. The Englishman makes good contact on the strike but can't keep it down and Gomes is untroubled in the Watford goal.
62'
Rodwell releases Fletcher down the inside left channel and the striker stands up a decent cross to the far post but there is no-one in a Sunderland shirt there to attack it, much to the annoyance of the home fans. Surely Big Sam wil be throwing on Defoe or Graham on soon. Fletcher could desperately do with some support.
60'
J. Rodwell gets yellow.
Jack Rodwell goes into the book after a rather wild challenge on Ben Watson. That was a pretty untidy tackle from the ex-Everton and Manchester City man.
59'
Watford are now letting Sunderland have the ball but all the passes are in front of them without any penetration. The home side are moving the ball in hope rather than expectation of an opportunity to equalise presenting itself.
57'
A. Johnson enters the game and replaces F. Borini.
Adam Johnson has entered the fray in place of Borini, who had worked very hard without any real joy to show for his efforts. Johnson can certainly make an impact when he is on song and Allardyce will be hoping he can inject some life into Sunderland's play.
55'
The major differences between the two team so far you would have to say are that Watford are a lot more organised without the ball and more composed with the ball than Sunderland. Whenever, the Black Cats go forward it seems a bit disjointed and hopeful.
53'
SAVE! Rodwell stings the palms of Gomes with a fierce shot with his left foot. Fletcher had neatly chested the ball into the midfielder's path. Much better from Sunderland. Going a bit more route one might not be the worst idea for the home side.
51'
Cathcart makes a poor clearance that goes straight to Fletcher who doesn't hesitate in letting a shot go. The Watford centre back does well to recover and make the block which sends the ball over the bar for a corner. M'Vila's delivery is easily cleared by Nyom.
49'
Watford's pressing game has been so effective today. They have harried and hassled their opponents at all times and I have lost count of the number of times Sunderland have given the ball away. The natives are getting a bit restless with their side and want them to take more care of possession.
47'
Rodwell, Watmore and Fletcher exchange passes before bringing van Aanholt into play the left back gallops onto the ball and has a pop at goal from a good twenty-five yards out but he drags his effort wide.
46'
Watford get the second half underway!
45' +2
Half time at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland 0-1 Watford.
45' +1
SHOT! Deeney works the ball onto his right foot on the top of the box but rather leans back as he strikes it and the Watford skipper sees his shot curl over the bar. The away team created that chance by pressing their opponents high up the pitch. It has been a feature of this first half. Sunderland being forced into errors.
44'
SAVE! Gomes is finally tested in this first half and he is forced into a fine save by one of his teammates. M'Vila's cross is flicked on by Capoue and the Watford goalkeeper does well to react and turn the header over the bar. That could have easily been an own goal.
42'
Watmore is a very trickery customer that possesses an awful lot of pace but he has got nothing out of Nyom so far. The Watford right back has had a really solid first half and obviously has contributed well going forward, notching the assist for Ighalo's early goal.
40'
Capoue goes down under the challenge of Toivonen and the Watford man is far from impressed. There didn't appear to be much, if any contact and the referee doesn't feel any further action is necessary. Bit theatrical from the Frenchmen there.
38'
Sunderland have weathered the storm defensively but can't quite get any fluency going as an attacking force. Watmore and Borini are showing plenty of endeavour but are struggling to get into the game.
36'
WIDE! Billy Jones forces a corner off of Nathan Ake. M'Vila takes the resulting set piece which Gomes rather flaps at. The ball drops to Borini who rather snatches at the half chance and he sends the ball skidding wide of the post, never really threatening to be honest.
34'
Watford certainly look the more comfortable of the two teams in possession and having a one goal lead usually makes life easier, especially when playing away from home. The Hornets enjoy their first period on the ball for a little while and are quite content to keep the bal ticking over just to take the sting out of proceedings.
32'
The Black Cats are trying to get themselves going and their is no lack of effort from the players but their final ball is letting them down at the moment. This time Watmore smuggles the ball out wide to Fletcher who sends in a low cross but it is overhit and will go out of play for a throw in.
30'
SHOT! It is high, wide and not very handsome from Jack Rodwell on the half volley. Sunderland are just starting to win some of the knock-downs and second balls in midfield which is creating a bit of forward momentum for the home side. The Stadium of Light faithful are certainly doing their bit and are urging their team on.
28'
The conditions are extremely slippery underfoot and Fabio Borini ends up sliding off the pitch and into the hoardings after a coming together with Britos. The Sunderland attacker stays down for a moment but looks ok to continue and should be able to run it off.
26'
SAVE! Capoue's low curling shot is bending towards the bottom corner and is well turned away by Pantilimon. Steven Fletcher had dallied on the ball and lost possession. Abdi wasted no time in picking out the former Tottenham midfielder who tested the reflexes of the Sunderland goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
23'
Ben Watson and Etienne Capoue have had the run of things in the centre of midfield so Jack Rodwell will be hoping he can provide Yann M'Vila with some assistance in the engine room for Sunderland.
21'
In all honesty Sunderland will be pretty pleased that they are only one down at this stage. The Black Cats making that early change has disrupted Watford's rhythm and that is no bad thing from Sam Allardyce's point of view.
19'
J. Rodwell enters the game and replaces D. Yedlin.
DeAndre Yedlin is the unfortunate player to be substituted this early on and takes the decision well as he trudges off the pitch. It could have been any of a number of players in truth. That said Watford had been having a fair amount of joy down their left hand side. Billy Jones will move across to right back and Sunderland should revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation now.
18'
We haven't even had 20 minutes yet but Sam Allardyce must already be contemplating a change of shape for his side. Their formation at the moment simply isn't working. Jack Rodwell is preparing himself to come on. Watford are causing the home team all sorts of problems, particularly out wide where they are creating an overload, time and time again.
16'
SAVE! Out of nowhere Sunderland almost have an equaliser but Fabio Borini's low drive flashes wide of Gomes' far post. The Italian striker latched onto John O'Shea's hopeful flighted pass and nearly got his rewards for gambling there.
14'
OVER! You know things are already getting a bit desperate for the Black Cats when Billy Jones, of all people, is letting fly from 25 yards. The Sunderland defender can't keep his shot down and it goes sailing over the cross bar.
12'
Ighalo is absolutely on fire at the moment. He now has 26 league goals in 2015, no other player has scored more in English football in this calendar year. He has started this game brilliantly and you wouldn't back against him adding further to his tally this afternoon
10'
OFF THE POST! Ighalo beats O'Shea all ends up and almost squeezes in his second of the game but a combination of Pantilimon and Coates hack the ball clear but only as far as Jurado who cracks a shot against the upright and out of play for a goal kick. Sunderland are living very dangerously at the moment. Watford are all over them right now.
8'
Sunderland have responded well to the set back of conceding so early but haven't been able to fashion a clear goalscoring opportunity. In the end they nearly fell further behind with Abdi ghosting in at the back post with van Aanholt napping but the Watford midfielders shot was well blocked. The chance was created by Ake getting forward again on the overlap.
6'
Even before the goal Watford had already made their attacking intentions clear with the full backs bombing forward and looking to cross the ball in to the Sunderland box at every opportunity. It has already paid dividends for the visitors.
4'
O. Ighalo has scored a goal for Watford! Assist by A. Nyom.
Nyom was beautifully released in behind Duncan Watmore with a lovely pass from Abdi. The Watford right back then did really well to pick ighalo out.
GOAL! 1-0 to Watford! Ighalo stabs Watford in front! Nyom does really well to get in behind the Sunderland defence and puts across a decent ball. Ighalo gets to the near post first and pokes the visitors into the lead. What a start!
2'
The playing surface is absolutely sodden and the ball is holding up on it already which will make things difficult for both sides. It has been a fairly scrappy start here with no-one able to get their foot on it and string some passes together.
1'
And we're off! Sunderland in their traditional red and white striped shirts, while Watford are in their away kit of all black. Why they couldn't wear their usual yellow shirts is beyond me but there we are.
Good afternoon and welcome to this live text commentary. Today's match comes from the Premier League with Sunderland taking on Watford.
Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce has called this a 'six pointer' and with some of the games Sunderland have coming up over the festive period you can see why. The home side may have won two of their last three games but they lost last time out away at Arsenal and will be looking to bounce back this afternoon as they sit 19th in the league. As for Watford they are sitting pretty in 10th position and had a good win over Norwich last weekend. Hornets fans will be looking for the deadly duo of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo to do the damage once again.
The team news is in and we'll start with the Mackems...
SUNDERLAND XI (5-4-1): Pantilimon; Yedlin, Jones, Coates, O'Shea (c), van Aanholt; Borini, Toivonen, M'Vila, Watmore; Fletcher.
Steven Fletcher passed a late fitness test and will lead the line for Sunderland today. While Jermain Defoe is fit enough to return to the matchday squad after missing the game against Arsenal with a hamstring problem but has to settle for a place on the bench. Wes Brown, Sebastian Larsson and Lee Cattermole all remain sidelined. Watford are missing Joel Ekstrand, Tommie Hoban, Sebastian Prodl and Valon Behrami through injury.
It is a bitterly cold day here in the North East, it was lightly snowing earlier but it has now turned to heavy rain. The players are out on the pitch and kick off is just a couple of minutes away.
Quique Flores will be delighted with the way his side have played during this opening 45 minutes, the only real disappointment for him and his Watford side is the fact that they are only one goal in front. The Hornets started the match in superb fashion and could have been out of sight after the first twenty minutes or so. The visitors will feel however, that more chances are bound to come their way as Sunderland will have to chase and equaliser as the second half progresses.
Sam Allardyce cannot have enjoyed much of what he has seen but was proactive enough to make a change early on. Many other managers would be too proud or too stubborn to alter things so soon after kick off but it had to be done. Sunderland were being totally overrun and more goals were inevitable for Watford otherwise. Since Rodwell has come on and they have reverted to a back four they have looked a lot more solid, without creating an awful lot. They are very much still in the game and that is vital for the home side.
Sunderland have plenty of firepower on the bench to potentially call upon with Adam Johnson, Danny Graham, Jeremain Lens and Jermain Defoe waiting in the wings but only have two substitutions remaining so Big Sam will need to use them wisely. You would imagine the home side won't make any further changes too early on in the second half but the Black Cats really need something from this game. As for Watford, you would imagine Quique Flores' half time team talk will have been a pretty simple one - more of the same please lads.
Watford's remarkable season continues. With this win they are now up to the heady heights of seventh in the Premier League table on 25 points. Quique Flores deserves a huge amount of credit for the work he is doing with this group of players. There were a lot of comings and goings in the summer but he has assembled a really solid squad that are very well organised and have a genuine goal threat in Ighalo and Deeney. This is a huge three points for them with Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur to play over the Christmas period. They had to dig in during the second half but they did enough to warrant this victory over the course of the ninety minutes.
This result leaves Sunderland in 19th place in the table and they will be hoping that Arsenal, Manchester United and Spurs beat the teams around them this weekend to make themselves feel a little better about things.
This was a thoroughly entertaining encounter from start to finish and the only real surprise is that there was only the one goal. Thanks very much for joining us today and we hope to see you again soon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
As for Sunderland, well Sam Allardyce will be proud of the character and fight his team showed but there is a real lack of quality in this squad and he will be desperate for the transfer window to open. The Black Cats were totally outplayed for the first twenty minutes of the match and were lucky to only be a goal down. They stabilised there after and will look back on some chances that went begging in the second half and think they could have got something from this game. It is going to be a long season for the Wearsiders. Defoe made a real difference after coming on but many will question the decision to bring him on for Steven Fletcher rather than being put on to play alongside the Scotland international.
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