Valencia pops up at the back post and puts the ball back into the danger area with a header. Reid attempts to get on the end of it but ends up fouling Wickham with a shove in the back in the process. That has took the sting completely out the game so we may be destined to see a draw.
90' +1
Well we've got a massive FIVE minutes of added time here at the Stadium of Light, which has gave both teams a massive incentive to go ahead and grab a winner. As I said earlier, it could STILL belong to anyone!
89'
CARROLL!!! HE COMES WITHIN INCHES OF WINNING IT! The 25-year-old collects the ball on the edge of the box and attempts to pass a precision strike into the bottom right corner but it goes just the wrong side of the post! Pantilimon was definitely struggling to get there!
87'
West Ham now looking dangerous! Downing clips a free kick to the back post aimed towards Carroll but Brown does brilliantly to head behind for a corner kick. Sunderland under the cosh a little bit at the moment. Can they weather the storm?!
85'
WICKHAM!!! HOW CLOSE WAS THAT! Fletcher flicks the ball into the path of his striking partner who takes a touch past the defender before rifling a strike at goal. It looks in all the way but Adrian pulls off an incredible save to deny the home side!
83'
Brilliant by Larsson! Cattermole loses the ball in a dangerous position in the middle of the park and Downing counterattacks at pace! Not once but twice however the Swede saves his side with well-timed slide tackles! The Sunderland fans loves that!
82'
C. Wickham gets yellow.
West Ham make a change and it sees Enner Valencia come on to replace Kevin Nolan.
81'
E. Valencia enters the game and replaces K. Nolan.
That is swiftly followed by another yellow card and this time it is Wickham who comes on the end of the referee's wrath. The Sunderland striker just went in a little too hard in an aerial challenge with Tomkins ,and goes into the book, much to the annoyance of the home crowd.
80'
S. Downing gets yellow.
The latest player to go into the book is Downing and it is for a rather needless challenge on Reveillere near the touchline. The Sunderland defender was going nowhere on the wing but the home side now have a free kick as the West Ham midfielder sees yellow.
78'
Cattermole finds himself down the right-hand side and has two bites of the cherry to get a cross into the box. The first is blocked and the second is drilled into the hands of Adrian. The West Ham keeper sends the ball straight out for an attack. It is end-to-end stuff at the moment!
Minute
Description
76'
Great work by Pantilimon. West Ham pile bodies into the box as they look to float a deep free kick into the danger area, but they are forced to retreat as the Sunderland keeper takes the pressure completely off his defence with a commanding punch.
74'
Just about 15 minutes remaining here at the Stadium of Light and it is still unclear who, if anyone, is going to show the attacking ambition to go on and win this. It has been such an even half that it really could be anyone! Interesting climax in store for sure.
72'
Penalty shout for Sunderland! Larsson curls a cross into the box and Reid meets it with what looks like the top of the shoulder! It is pretty inconclusive from what I can see, and the referee shares the same view as he waves play on!
70'
R. Álvarez enters the game and replaces A. Johnson.
Second change of the match from the hosts and fair play to Gus Poyet as it is a fairly positive change from the Uruguayan. Adam Johnson is the man coming off and he'll be replaced by Ricky Alvarez, who could add just a little more creativity for the Black Cats.
68'
Song and Nolan exchange a lovely one-two in the centre circle and the ball eventually comes to Cresswell who curls a cross into the box. Carroll throws himself at it but O'Shea does well to stand tall but ends up conceding the corner.
66'
Decent attempt from Reid. Downing drives a wicked corner kick into the box and the New Zealand international loses his marker before glancing a header towards the far corner. Pantilimon eventually sees it over but it wasn't too far away!
64'
Carroll!!! Almost a goal from nothing for West Ham! Sakho goes down under the challenge of Brown inside the box and the ball falls to his striking partner, who attempts to dink the ball over Pantilimon. The whole stadium takes a breath but the shot goes just north of the bar!
62'
S. Fletcher enters the game and replaces J. Altidore.
We've got our first substitution of the match and it is no surprise to see Altidore coming off. The USA international has once again had a poor games in terms of posing an attacking threat inside the box, and he'll be replaced by Steven Fletcher.
60'
West Ham get some joy down the right wing and the ball eventually comes to Jenkinson who whips a teasing cross to the front post. It could potentially be awkward for the home defence but Brown listens to the shout from his keeper and plays it safe by clearing into the stand.
58'
We are nearly 15 minutes into the second half now and unfortunately both sides have failed to replicate the flowing attacking display of the opening 45 minutes. Sunderland looking dangerous from set-pieces, but not much in terms of goalmouth action so far after the break.
57'
Jordi Gómez gets yellow.
56'
That is extremely cynical from Gomez. West Ham finally manage to weather the storm from the various corner kicks and Downing leads the counterattacking charge with a powerful run down the left, but he is eventually tripped up by the former Wigan midfielder, who rightfully goes into the book.
54'
Later in his career Carroll may prove to be useful as a central defender! The former Liverpool man has been back helping out his defence for an array of Sunderland corner kicks and has cleared two of them with commanding headers! He'd probably enjoy a few more years up top right enough!
52'
Larsson takes the corner kick from the left wing and Carroll clears out of the danger area. Sunderland manage to recycle the attack and eventually earn another free kick on the opposite wing. This little spell of pressure from the hosts has the home side cheering in anticipation!
50'
Reid leaves the park for treatment but thankfully manages to re-enter the action apparently unscathed.
49'
We've got a small break in play at the moment as Reid is currently down after taking a nasty blow to the head from Brown. It looked completely accidental but the Sunderland man just trod on him during a corner kick. The defender is currently down receiving treatment.
47'
SITTER FROM ALTIDORE! The Sunderland man gets into a great position at the back post but can't sort his feet out to turn in a chance from a few yards out!
Jenkison collects the ball at right back and threads a lovely pass down the touchline for Sakho, who strides forward before attempting a cross inside, but the ball cannons off a Sunderland leg and West Ham get the corner kick early in this second half.
46'
We are back under way in this Barclays Premier League clash!
45' +1
West Ham have the opportunity to get their noses in front just before the break here as they get a free kick around 25 yards out. There is only two minutes of added time so a goal now would see them take a lead into half time.
Sakho steps up and fires the free kick towards goal but Pantilimon reads it and makes the save.
44'
Sunderland take a quick free kick and Jordi Gomez collects just inside the box to the left. He fires a teasing cross along the six yard box but there are no takers for the home side! That was absolutely begging to be smashed home but West Ham are let off the hook!
42'
West Ham are now the team who are on top of the possession and Song is at the heart of it as he pulls the strings in central areas. The attack of the visitors just breaks down though as the on loan Barcelona man's pass down the right for Jenkinson is intercepted.
40'
W. Reid gets yellow.
We've got our first booking of the match and Winston Reid is the guilty party. Altidore cleverly flicks the ball round the corner for Larsson before being took out completely by the West Ham defender, who deservedly sees yellow.
39'
The home side are just enjoying a short period of sustained possession in and around the West Ham penalty area here as they look to reclaim their lead. It is proving quite difficult to penetrate the visitor's sturdy defence though as Allardyce typically has them very organised.
37'
Johnson attempts a daft pass across the field to Reveillere and Sakho intercepts before sliding a lovely pass into the channel for Downing. The West Ham winger cuts inside on his right foot and has a crack at goal, but Sunderland are back in numbers and manage to make the block. The Hammers probably could have made more of that chance!
35'
Before this match many people would have been forgiven for suggesting it may be a cagey affair, but that is far from what we have seen at the Stadium of Light so far. Both sides impressively attempting to notch up some goals.
33'
Well that goal has definitely gave West Ham a lot of confidence here. They certainly never give up when they go a goal down and the fact that they equalised so promptly has made them believe they can snatch a lead before the break. Sunderland, meanwhile, attempting to regroup.
31'
Song wins the ball back in the middle of the park and sends Downing down the left wing as West Ham counterattack. There is only Sakho ahead of the play though which means the Englishman is forced to revert back to Nolan.
29'
S. Downing has scored a goal for West Ham United! Assist by K. Nolan.
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL FOR WEST HAM! THE HAMMERS STRIKE BACK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY! Downing collects the ball in the right channel and cuts inside on his left foot before smashing at goal. The attempt takes a deflection on its route to goal which allows it to nestle right in the bottom left corner! One-one!
28'
Altidore gets a pass to feet and holds off the challenge of Tomkins before attempting a strike at goal. Unfortunately for the USA international it takes a deflection on the way through which takes all the venom out of it, allowing Adrian to save comfortably.
26'
Of course, West Ham did actually go behind to Swansea early doors last week only to impressively come back to win. Can Carroll and co. pull their side back from a goal down again?
24'
Well, after a bright opening at the Stadium of Light, and although it was under rather controversial circumstances, we have our opening goal. It will be interesting to see Sunderland's tactics as they attempt to protect this lead. Will they sit back or will they show attacking ambition?
23'
Sam Allardyce looks absolutely incensed on that touchline! He clearly feels that was never a penalty and he is getting the fourth official quite an earful! Sunderland won't mind though as they have the 1-0 lead!
22'
Penalty goal scored by Jordi Gómez for Sunderland!
GOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL FOR SUNDERLAND!! Jordi Gomez steps up and confidently dispatches the penalty into the bottom corner! One-nil!
20'
PENALTY KICK TO SUNDERLAND!! Johnson takes on the West Ham defence and eventually goes down under the challenge of Tomkins! There looked very minimal contact but the ref points to the spot!
18'
Sakho receives the ball to feet and turns sharply before running towards goal. The centre forward tries to find room for a strike at goal and although he is outnumbered in that central area, gets an attempt away. It is never troubling Pantilimon though who sees it over.
16'
Vergini drives up the right wing and cleverly cuts inside before losing the ball. The Argentine gets it back and attempts to lift a cross into the box, but his pass is cleared. Johnson collects and goes for a similar cross, but Adrian comes off his line to claim.
14'
It is all a bit feisty in the early stages here at the Stadium of Light. Cattermole, perhaps unsurprisingly, is involved as he leaves the boot in slightly on Carroll just inside the centre circle. Expect bookings in this one if the same formula continues!
12'
How has Nolan escaped a booking here? Vergini initially gets the better of the West Ham man, who takes exception to this as he comes in with a rather nasty tackle. The referee, Phil Dowd, lets him off on this occasion but he probably won't get away with another.
10'
Carroll looking a real danger at the moment. Cresswell makes his way down the left and then reverts back to Downing, who looks for his team-mate's run inside the box. The resulting header goes just over the bar but Sunderland will still be wary of the threat posed by the big striker.
8'
Carroll takes the ball down with an assured touch and looks to fire a strike at goal, but the attempt is too central and Pantilimon makes another save. The West Ham man is getting it tight from the home crowd, so it should be interesting seeing his celebration if he were to find the net today!
6'
Saaaaaaaave by Pantilimon! The ball breaks kindly to Jenkinson at the back post and the on-loan Arsenal man sends a precision half volley towards goal, but the Sunderland keeper gets down to make the vital block! The Hammers nearly take the lead!
4'
The home side have probably settled the better here as they look to get their passing game under way early doors. West Ham seem content to sit back and soak up the pressure for the time being, but they will always pose a threat with the attacking prowess they have up top.
2'
Carroll gets his first touch of the match and as you may imagine he is met with a chorus of boos from the Sunderland crowd. West Ham's striker, of course, used to ply his trade for Newcastle. No love lost there!
1'
We are under way at the Stadium of Light!
Good afternoon football fans! Welcome to LIVE coverage of the Barclays Premier League clash between Sunderland and West Ham from the Stadium of Light!
I'm Martin Macdonald, and I'll be taking you through the action!
Today's match features two teams with rather contrasting form. Sunderland are without a win in five Premier League games and haven't actually recorded a win at home since the beginning of October. Winning games has indeed been the problem for the Black Cats so far this campaign, but thanks to a flurry of draws they are placed out of the relegation zone in 14th. However, with just a two-point cushion between themselves and Hull in 18th place, they cannot afford complacency.
The home side can take heart from the fact that they have won points against Chelsea and Liverpool recently, but they need to start winning games if they are to avoid being clawed into the dropzone.
West Ham, meanwhile, are absolutely flying in the league. The Hammers have defeated Newcastle, West Brom, and Swansea with three consecutive wins and are currently placed 4th in the Champions League qualifying spot. The likes of Southampton and Arsenal are hot on their heels though, so Sam Allardyce will be hoping to continue their good form today.
The last time West Ham travelled to the Stadium of Light was in March. Goals from Andy Carroll and Mohamed Diame cancelled out Adam Johnson's strike on that occasion as the Hammers recorded a narrow 2-1 win.
Speaking of Andy Carroll, the former Liverpool striker is somewhat the man of the moment in the Premier League. A magnificent display last weekend against Swansea saw him claim two goals with two signature headers, a performance which has lead pundits and fans alike to suggest he is back to his best. How will he do against the Sunderland defence today?
TEAM NEWS...
West Ham (4-1-2-1-2): Adrian; Jenkinson, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell; Song; Kouyate, Nolan; Downing; Sakho, Carroll.
The teams have made their way to the pitch and we are almost ready for kick off!
Half time at the Stadium of Light. It has been a very entertaining clash so far here between Sunderland and West Ham. The home side took the lead in controversial circumstances when Johnson went down softly inside the box and a penalty was awarded. Jordi Gomez converted to make it 1-0 but the Hammers fought back to 1-1 quickly thanks to a deflected strike from Downing. An even clash so far so a very interesting second half in store!
Full time in the Stadium of Light. It is honours even in this Barclays Premier League clash as Sunderland and West Ham play out a 1-1 draw. The home side took the lead in the first half as Jordi Gomez converted a penalty kick after a soft challenge on Adam Johnson inside the box, but West Ham rallied and fought back quickly to equalise through Stuart Downing. In the end a draw was probably the fair result as West Ham's winning run stops and Sunderland continue to come out of matches with just a point. I'm Martin Macdonald, thanks for joining us, see you next time!
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