Sunderland and Stoke City have played out a goalless first 45 minutes in their Premier League clash this afternoon.

Buoyed by their away victory at Crystal Palace on Monday evening, the hosts made a positive start to the game, as Patrick van Aanholt picked out Steven Fletcher with a low cross, only for the Scottish striker to be denied by Potters keeper Jack Butland.

Sunderland continued to dominate the half, and came close to taking the lead on 18 minutes when Jermain Defoe tried his luck from the edge of the Stoke box, only for his effort to sail narrowly wide.

Stoke waited 25 minutes for their first chance of the match, as Bojan missed the target from distance, before Jonathan Walters was denied by Costel Pantilimon from close range.

The hosts were given a good opportunity to take the lead before the break as Ryan Shawcross brought down Fletcher on the edge of his own penalty area, but Van Aanholt's free kick hit the Stoke wall.