Sunderland have recorded a 0-0 draw against West Bromwich Albion but they have slipped further into trouble in the Premier League table.
The Black Cats dominated against the West Midlands outfit but they squandered several second-half chances to match Norwich City's victory against Newcastle United.
Their failure to score has left the Canaries with a four-point advantage over them in the standings with just seven games remaining.
Read below to see how the action unfolded in the North-East.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion.
After a two-week break due to the international fixtures, the Premier League returns and what a game we have in store for you today. With Norwich City and Newcastle United facing each other at Carrow Road, Sunderland know that they can steal a march on one of their relegation rivals with victory over West Brom, who are looking to move closer a top-10 finish in the Premier League for the first time since 2013.
Despite the ambitions of the Baggies, all of the pressure is on Sunderland. They have certainly improved since Sam Allardyce replaced Dick Advocaat, but the former West Ham United boss is yet to move them clear of the relegation zone and he is running out of games. They are currently three games unbeaten in the Premier League but each match ended in a draw and it's wins that they require at this stage of the campaign.
Before we bring you the team news from the Stadium of Light, let me point you in the direction of our live text commentary from Villa Park, where Chelsea are currently thrashing Aston Villa. Hardly a shock, but click here to catch the final quarter of the game. Even Alexandre Pato is on the pitch so it's definitely worth a read!
Anyway, as promised, here is the team news from the North-East! Who have Allardyce and Pulis gone for...
SUNDERLAND XI: Mannone, Yedlin, Kone, Kaboul, Van Aanholt, Khazri, M'Vila, Cattermole, Kirchhoff, Borini, Defoe
SUNDERLAND SUBSTITUTES: Jones, Larsson, Rodwell, N'Doye, Pickford, O'Shea, Toivonen
WEST BROMWICH ALBION XI: Foster, Dawson, Chester, Evans, McAuley, Sandro, Yacob, Fletcher, Gardner, Rondon, Berahino
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBSTITUTES: Olsson, Anichebe, Myhill, McClean, Lambert, Pritchard, Leko
Allardyce has made just the one alteration to the Sunderland team that drew 1-1 away at Newcastle two weeks ago, with Lee Cattermole replacing Jack Rodwell in the centre of midfield. Sebastian Larsson is also back in the squad, with the Swede taking his place on the substitutes' bench.
Pulis has opted to make two changes to the West Brom XI that began the 1-0 defeat at home to Norwich. James Chester has replaced Jonas Olsson in defence, while Sandro comes in for Stephane Sessegnon, who Pulis says was "lost in space" after the international break and only returned to England yesterday. I'm assuming that is sarcasm.
Sunderland, as well as Newcastle, have a game in hand on Norwich but they won't be thinking too much about that this afternoon. The Black Cats will be hoping that the Canaries and the Magpies can play out a draw but simply put, they must focus on their own game. Maximum points will be enough to move them into 17th position should Norwich fail to beat Newcastle. The full table can be found here.
HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents the 154th time that these two clubs have met in a competitive fixture, with Sunderland winning 57 times and West Brom three fewer with 54 victories. Despite the clubs possessing a similar status in recent years, Sunderland's record over the last dozen games is abysmal, with just one success being registered during that time. West Brom have won eight of the remaining 11 contests.
However, of the games that have been played at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland are unbeaten in their last two, recording one win and a draw without conceding a goal. They will be hoping for a similar defensive performance this afternoon!
CENTURY! Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone will be making his 100th appearance in the Premier League this afternoon. He has represented a number of clubs, including Arsenal, but over half of his showings have come for Sunderland, who he joined in June 2013.
RESULT! The full-time whistle has gone at Villa Park and Chelsea have cantered to victory over a desperate Aston Villa side. Read our on-the-whistle report here.
West Brom have travelled to the North-East with as many as three former Sunderland players in their squad, with Craig Gardner and Jonny Evans starting in defence and James McClean featuring on the bench. What are the odds of either of the trio coming back to haunt their ex-club over the next couple of hours?
You don't get many matches where the away team boast a better record on the road than their hosts do in front of their hoem supporters, but that's what we have today. Sunderland have just 16 points from 14 matches at the Stadium of Light this season, while West Brom have 17 points from the same amount of games. It's only a slight difference but it explains why the two clubs are where they are in the table. Only Palace and Villa have a worse home record than Sunderland - that needs to improve before the end of the season.
PREDICTION! Given that Sunderland need the points, they are likely to make all of the running this afternoon but I am expecting a response from West Brom today, who were awful against Norwich. Saido Berahino and Salomon Rondon have linked up well recently and they could be the difference-makers today. West Brom to win 2-1.
We are almost ready for kickoff at the Stadium of Light. We will keep you up-to-date with the goings on at Carrow Road too. The North-East giants simply cannot afford to lose this afternoon.
We are underway at the Stadium of Light.
Sam Allardyce certainly looks casual in the dugout. He has almost got his feet up. I'm sure that will change as the games progresses. West Brom have earned a free kick out wide in a threatening position.
West Brom have several opportunities to get the ball into the middle but no-one is able to find a teammate in the final third. Sunderland have barely got going in this match, however.
Sunderland finally show some attacking intent through Defoe but he is easily dealt with by the Baggies defence. The forward ran direct from deep inside the West Brom half, but I would assume that Allardyce would prefer his star man further forward.
CHANCE! A brilliant piece of play from Kaboul sets him free down the right-hand side and his cross towards the near post finds Defoe, but his Vardy-like flick was straight at Foster. Much better from the home side.
Almost a replica of the chance from a few minutes ago, this time involving Yedlin and Borini, but the American's cross is a little higher and his teammate is unable to bring the ball down. Allardyce is off his seat now, seemingly halfway through his pack of Wrigley's.
There have been plenty of goals elsewhere but none in this match or Norwich's clash with Newcastle. You get the impression that this one is warming up though.
BOOKING! Moments after Yacob is lucky to avoid a yellow card, Kaboul goes lunging in and is booked by the referee. He can have no complaints.
CHANCE! A low ball into the Baggies box finds Defoe, who holds off his marker before turning sharply to get himself into a shooting position but he drags his effort wide of the far post.
A piece of play from Berahino helps release Fletcher and West Brom find themselves in a three-on-three situation. The Scot looks to pick out Rondon who has attempted to run behind the Sunderland defence, but some good defending clears the danger.
Sunderland had looked like they were beginning to build up a head of steam but West Brom have done well to nullify their threat. Too often, Sunderland are finding that only Defoe is getting himself into a promising position. He needs help in the penalty area.
I'm not too sure how Yacob has managed to avoid a yellow card in these first 30 minutes. He was told he was on his last warning a quarter-of-an-hour ago but he has just committed a similar foul and referee Roger East has done nothing. The Black Cats faithful aren't best pleased.
CHANCE! This is definitely hotting up! After several meaty challenges, Khazri gets free on the left before cutting inside to release the advancing Cattermole, but after taking a touch to move into the penalty area, Foster comes out well to smother his effort. Great move that deserved a goal.
It is still goalless at Carrow Road, but it sounds as if goalkeeper Karl Darlow is having a magnificent game for Newcastle. He has been drafted in to replace the injured Rob Elliot.
A lot of the play is now occurring in the centre of the pitch, but this is still an exciting game. There has been no shortage of commitment.
I predicted earlier that it would be Sunderland making all of the running but West Brom have had most of the possession. They haven't made best use of it but it gives you an indication that Sunderland are only threatening in short, sharp bursts.
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Sunderland 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
The half-time whistle goes at the Stadium of Light and we remain goalless. However, there has been a goal at Carrow Road and Norwich have taken the lead against Newcastle! How will that change Sam Allardyce's team talk?
We are back underway in the North-East.
Less than a minute into the second half and Khazri cynically hauls down a West Brom player to give the Baggies a free kick. Gardner tries to take it too quick and receives a booking for his troubles. Harsh! The set piece comes to nothing.
Aside from that free kick it has been a pretty slow start to the second half. At some stage, Sunderland are going to have to push for a goal. As it stands, they are slipping four points from safety.
Sunderland put together a string of passes inside the final third before working the ball to Borini, who is standing 25 yards out at most. However, he opts to pass instead and the move breaks down.
Sunderland have increased the ante now. After Kirchoff has an attempt blocked by the face of Foster, Defoe sees a goalbound effort blocked. A couple of corners follow, but West Brom survive.
SHOT! Borini learns his lesson from squandering the last chance by firing a terrific shot towards the corner, but Foster gets his hands behind it to tip it wide. West Brom cannot get out of their own final third.
CHANCE! Sunderland should be ahead. Yedlin takes a touch before crossing for Borini, who runs onto the ball and sends a half-volley towards the bottom corner but it goes wide from 14 yards. It that is on target, it is a goal.
SHOT! It's Van Aanholt's turn to try his luck but his low drive is a few yards wide of the far post. West Brom had been down to 10 men but Gardner is back on after receiving treatment for a head wound.
More Sunderland pressure results in a corner being won on the right flank but it comes to nothing and the ball soon finds its way back to Mannone. Still no changes from either side. One must be imminent, you would have thought.
For anyone wondering, it is still 1-0 to Norwich in their game with Newcastle. It's a hugely significant scoreline at the bottom of the table.
SUBSTITUTION! It's one former Sunderland player for another as Gardner is replaced by James McClean. He isn't getting the warmest of welcomes.
GOAL FLASH! Newcastle have equalised at Carrow Road! It's Mitrovic with the goal. Sunderland needed that!
GOAL FLASH! Well that didn't last long. Norwich have retaken the lead! Sunderland are back to desperately needing a goal.
SUBSTITUTION! Pulis makes another substitution and he has decided to hand 16-year-old Jonathon Leko his Premier League debut! Big moment for the teenager. Can he influence this game in the closing stages?
We are well into the final 10 minutes here and still Sunderland search for a goal. I remind you that as it stands, Norwich are going four points clear of safety.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Both sides make alterations with Anichebe replacing Rondon for the Baggies and N'Doye coming on for Khazri for Sunderland. Five minutes to go!
CHANCE! Sunderland and Borini both think that they have scored a goal but the Italian's well-struck shot goes inches wide! Was that the chance?
GOAL FLASH! Newcastle have equalised again through Mitrovic! Big, big goal for everyone concerned.
CHANCE! That wasn't the chance, this was THE CHANCE! The ball finds its way to Defoe from close range, but he can only find Foster and West Brom clear. There will be four minutes of added-on time.
Norwich have scored a late, late winner against Newcastle. Unbelievable!
FULL TIME: Sunderland 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
The final whistle has gone at the Stadium of Light and it has ended goalless. It was a frustrating afternoon for Sunderland, which was made worse after Norwich City scored a late winner against Newcastle United. They are now four games unbeaten but they sit four points adrift at the bottom of the table.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this game but we hope that you can stick around for all of the other results and reaction. Goodbye for now.
