Live – Sunday football

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    1457: Blackburn continuing to hunt in packs defensively here, which is impressive. It does mean Sunderland have enjoyed 75% of possession in the last 10 minutes, though. Can the visitors continue to hold strong?

    1454: Ooh that’s another cracking save from Paul Robinson. Kieran Richardson drills an effort goalwards and it takes a big deflection off Morten Gamst Pedersen, but Robinson reacts brilliantly to change direction and tip the effort around the post. Sunderland getting closer.

    1451: Boom! David Dunn takes aim from range for Blackburn and catches his shot nice and sweet – but it’s a touch too high and it zips over the Sunderland bar.

    1450: Another booking – which adds a nice bit of colour to the page – as Stephane Sessegnon has his name taken for repeated fouling.

    1448: We’re not even up to the hour mark yet and Blackburn are already retreating ever deeper in the face of this Sunderland pressure. Yakubu is all alone up front for the visitors and by a long way, too.

    Pat Nevin on 5 Live at the Stadium of Light: “We’ve been talking about boxing – and Sunderland are punchless. They’ve got nothing up front at the moment. This is nothing against Martin O’Neill – but he’s got a lot of work to do at Sunderland.”
    1442: Woodwork! Kieran Richardson almost scores from the unlikeliest of angles as his awful corner kick is somehow allowed to drift past a few defenders before it clatters into the near post.

    1440: A third and final Blackburn change now – again enforced – as Michel Salgado goes off having failed to recover from his earlier clash with Phil Bardsley (get in), Grant Hanley on in his place. It means Jason Lowe will push up into midfield.

    1439: …curled narrowly – and I mean narrowly – wide with Paul Robinson scrambling across goal. Close.

    1439: Free-kick to Sunderland, 35 yards out, Sebastian Larsson over it…

    1438: Just as in the first half, Sunderland are right on to the front foot at the start of this half. The Rovers defence – for the most part – are still dealing quite happily with the hosts’ balls into the box, mind.

    1436: In other news, Phil Bardsley (get in) remains on the pitch. Joy.

    1435: The second half gets under way, Sunderland 0-1 Blackburn.

    1434: Half-time change for Blackburn, Adam Henley replacing the injured Martin Olsson, who had previously replaced the injured Gael Givet. Odds on Henley finishing the game?

    1430: How long before we see Ryan Noble – a boy who scored four goals in midweek for the reserves in front of the watching Martin O’Neill – for Sunderland? Can’t be long, surely.

    1428: Now then. Fancy correcting my spelling from the comfort of your own sofa? Well then tweet the commentary via #BBCFootball, tweet me @sampatricklyon or text in via 81111 (UK). Easy life.
    Tom Warner on Twitter: “I think you should see how many variations of his name you can create… I like Bhil Pardsley personally.”
    Pat Nevin on 5 Live at the Stadium of Light: “No sophistication, no imagination – this game is summed up by Yakubu against Bramble. It’s like watching a David Attenborough documentary with two yaks banging into each other.”
    1422: HALF-TIME Sunderland 0-1 Blackburn
    Chief football writer Phil McNulty’s HT snap-shot:     “Not the flying start Martin O’Neill had hoped for, but enough opportunities to give Sunderland hope after the break. They will need to get past Rovers defender Chris Samba first, though – not easy.”

    1419: And there’s your half time whistle.

    1417: Phil Bardsley. Get in.

    1416: Another booking, this time Michel Salgado having his name taken for a little swipe at… erm… the Sunderland left back with the really easy name that I for some inexplicable reason keep mis-spelling… *draws breath*… Phil Bardsley.

    1412: What on earth is wrong with that? Kieren Westwood gets away with one for Sunderland, coming for a free-kick from deep, missing it, and allowing Scott Dann to head home behind him – only for referee Peter Walton to rule it out for a foul on the home stopper. Chris Samba protests his innocence, and I have to say quite rightly so – there was nothing in his challenge there. Another let-off.

    Daniel de la Cour on Twitter: “Just call him Philly B. That way, it’s correct, and you wont fail in spelling his name for the umpteenth time :’)”
    1409: The first booking of the game goes to John O’Shea for a shove on Simon Vukcevic.

    1407: I won’t lie, this isn’t the greatest game ever. In fact, I reckon it might struggle to make the top three from today by close of play. Which when you consider there are only two matches…

    Pat Nevin on 5 Live at the Stadium of Light: “There are more hoofs here than at the Grand National.”
    Ali Perros on Twitter: “Your spelling of Phil/David/Paul Bardsley/Bardlsey is nearly as bad as the defending on show here!”

    Anon via text: “Perhaps use Phil Bardsley’s shirt number instead?”

    1403: And now a curling effort from range from David Vaughan… over. You can’t fault their effort, Sunderland, just – you know – their quality. At present anyway.

    1400: Scramble! Sunderland continue to plug away – without any luck – as first Phil (not David or Paul) Bardsley (not Bardlsey) has a shot blocked after good work by Connor Wickham and then Stephane Sessegnon fires wide as the ball ricochets around the box.

    1356: Sunderland still bossing possession – 60% of it in fact – but still they trail to Simon Vukcevic’s opener. Martin O’Neill, as a result, is hopping about like a March hare on the sidelines. Oh how we’ve missed him.

    1353: Enforced change for Blackburn as Gael Givet limps off to be replaced by Martin Olsson.

    Chief football writer Phil McNulty reports from the Stadium of Light: “After the wonderful reception for new manager Martin O’Neill and early buoyancy, some impatience surfacing around The Stadium of Light after Simon Vukcevic’s goal. A happy, albeit very small, band of Blackburn supporters.”

    1352: Another chance for Sunderland, who have responded well to going a goal down, but this time Kieran Richardson’s snap-shot from Sebastian Larsson’s cross is deflected inches past the far post via the face of Jason Lowe. The hosts really need to take advantage of these good moments.

    1350: Almost an immediate reply from Sunderland as a cross from the right finds its way to Kieran Richardson at the back post, but Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson is out excellently to save from point-blank range. Great stop, but not great defending in the build up.

    Blackburn goal: Blackburn take the lead but it’s not great defending from Sunderland, Chris Samba enjoying all the time and space in the world to control a free-kick and fire at goal from the angle, Sunderland keeper Keiren Westwood parrying to Simon Vukcevic to head in from close range.

    1348: GOALFLASH Sunderland 0-1 Blackburn (Vukcevic)

    1346: Anyway, we’re 15 minutes in and it’s just starting to settle down a touch with Blackburn getting their foot on the ball a bit more.

    1344: I’m going to get Phil Bardsley’s name engraved on my computer screen I reckon.

    1343: Phil BARDSLEY! BARDSLEY!

    1342: Ooh, that’s a decent penalty shout, that. Blackburn get forward for the first time and Yakubu drives into the box before going down under Titus Bramble’s sliding challenge. Rovers appeal for a penalty but referee Peter Walton waves them away. I have to say, I reckon that was a spot-kick. Let-off for Sunderland.

    1341: PHIL Bardsley, PHIL!

    1340: Bit of a delay here as Blackburn’s Michel Salgado receives treatment after wearing a Phil (not David) Bardsley elbow in the torso. He should be all right, though.

    1338: Re: 1334 – I, of course, meant Phil Bardsley. Former QPR man David has not made a surprise comeback. Honest.

    1337: It’s one-way traffic in these opening minutes and Blackburn are having to hang on with gritted teeth. Stephane Sessegnon in particular, enjoying his free role behind the attacker, is getting heavily involved for Sunderland.

    1334: Ooh, and now Phil Bardsley has a crackerjack effort from range that is deflected narrowly over. Really positive start from the hosts.

    1333: …whipped in by Sebastian Larsson, cleared by the home defence with Connor Wickham lurking.

    1332: And Sunderland have an early chance to get the ball in the box with a free-kick well placed on the left of the box…

    1331: Here we go, then, the Martin O’Neill Sunderland reign is up and running and we’re under way at the Stadium of Light.

    1328: I can confirm, fashionistas, that the Martin O’Neill tracksuit is back. The tracksuit, of course, allows maximum flexibility, enabling much leaping about, gesturing and general jiggery-pokery on the sidelines, just the way O’Neill likes it. He got a quite terrific reception, too, O’Neill. Something not wasted on Steve Kean.

    Worried Spurs fan via text: “Rumours floating around that Defoe, Bale, Modric AND King are out today. Say it ain’t so!”

    Scott Mackay on Twitter: “Rochina out with wisdom tooth problem? Not what Steve Kean needed with his other teething problems!”
    1326: Pat Nevin tells BBC Five Live about his run-in with Martin O’Neill during the Sunderland manager’s Celtic days, saying: “When he was at Celtic, they weren’t always the best team but they were powerful, which is what I said to him. I wasn’t saying they were just a sophisticated Wimbledon – but they were no Barcelona. When I suggested that, I got a wee phone call. He put his point across!”
    1323: It’s not been a good day headline-wise for Blackburn again, by the way, has it? According to the Daily Mail, Rovers are heading for a financial crisis after their bankers, Barclays, handed them a £10m ultimatum – an ultimatum that could threaten player wages. How many ladders has Steve Kean walked under?
    1319: SUNDERLAND v BLACKBURN (1330)
    Chief football writer Phil McNulty reports from the Stadium of Light:     “Sunderland’s new manager Martin O’Neill takes charge of the club he supported as a boy for the first time, but he knows old loyalties will not lessen the need for swift improvement. In his match notes he writes: ‘Having an affinity with Sunderland is fine but affords me nothing other than a little goodwill.’ Blackburn boss Steve Keane – heavily criticised by his own fans – believes O’Neill’s arrival could benefit the visitors, saying: ‘Their fans will be expecting that something is going to happen so there will be big pressure on them.'”
    Jack O’Meara on Twitter: “Had a cheeky bet on Stoke & Blackburn to both win! O’Neill’s unbeaten start with new teams has to come to an end soon!”

    Will Rider via text: “Martin O’Neill doing what he does best by concentrating on talent from the home nations. Long live Martin!”

    1314: And more from Tim Flowers on BBC Five Live: “Martin O’Neill doesn’t look his age. I think Sunderland have made a great appointment. There’s not a chance they’ll get relegated.”
    1312: SUNDERLAND v BLACKBURN (1330)
    Chief football writer Phil McNulty reports from the Stadium of Light:     “So new Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill makes three changes from the side that lost at Wolves. Connor Wickham returns after injury to replace Nicklas Bendtner, who has a groin problem. Titus Bramble and David Vaughan return, with captain Lee Cattermole suspended and striker Ji Dong-Won on the bench. It is Bramble’s first appearance since his arrest during a night out in September. Blackburn start with Simon Vukcevic as Junior Hoillett is ruled out with a hamstring injury. Michel Salgado is back and expected to figure on the right side of midfield.”
    1309: BBC Five Live have been talking to a few people about what Sunderland fans can expect from Martin O’Neill and Tim Flowers, who worked with O’Neill at Leicester, said: “At Leicester, we didn’t see a lot of him during the week. But he came alive on match days. He’d run through a brick wall for you. He knew how to push your buttons as a player. He could cut you down if he needed to. If Robbie Savage piped up a bit too much, he’d let him know – he’d do it with all of us! He is very astute. He’s been out for a long period of time but, make no mistake, he’ll know what’s going on.”
    Simon Turner on Twitter: “People saying how will we deal without Hoilett? He is not as good as people make out, defensive errors and ‘big time charlie’.”

    1307: SUNDERLAND v BLACKBURN (1330)
    Sunderland:     Westwood, O’Shea, Bramble, Brown, Bardsley, Larsson, Colback, Vaughan, Richardson, Sessegnon, Wickham. Subs: Kilgallon, Ji, Meyler, McClean, Carson, Elmohamady, Noble.
    Blackburn: Robinson, Lowe, Samba, Dann, Givet, Salgado, Dunn, Pedersen, Vukcevic, Formica, Yakubu. Subs: Bunn, Olsson, Blackman, Goodwillie, Roberts, Hanley, Henley.
    Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)

    Chief football writer Phil McNulty reports from the Stadium of Light: “In his column in the match programme, Sunderland chairman Ellis Short explained the decision to sack Steve Bruce, saying: ‘It wasn’t specifically the last home game against Wigan that determined we would change our manager, because we outplayed Wigan for most of the game. However, once again things didn’t go our way and ultimately we were left to reflect on the fact that over a long period of time we have been underperforming. We believe the club should be in a better position and consequently the board took the action we believed was necessary for the good of the club.'”

    1259: Did you lot know, by the way, that Martin O’Neill has taken charge of 304 Premier League matches as a manager, winning 114 and losing 92? What about the fact that since their 3-0 win over Blackburn on New Year’s Day, Sunderland have won just two of 15 home Premier League matches – fewer than any other club in the division? Or that Blackburn are looking for back-to-back wins for the first time since November 2010? Well you do now. You’re welcome.

    Patrick Scully on Twitter: “Interesting to see how Blackburn cope without Hoilett today, he’s been by far their best player so far this season.”
    1255: SUNDERLAND v BLACKBURN (1330)
    Chief football writer Phil McNulty reports from the Stadium of Light:     “‘Martin’s Moment’ reads the front page of Sunderland’s match programme for Blackburn’s visit to The Stadium of Light – and so it is as new manager Martin O’Neill takes charge for the first time. Both teams are in the Premier League’s bottom three and Blackburn boss Steve Kean needs to follow up last week’s win against Swansea as a shield against his unpopularity with a section of the club’s fans.”

    1253: Your man at the Stadium of Light today, is chief football writer Phil McNulty. Let’s hear from him…

    Pro Ndebele on Twitter: “Sunderland vs Blackburn is bigger than Chelsea vs Man City tomorrow. If you think I’m lying ask O’Neill and Kean.”

    Frosty via text: “Strange league this season – Sunderland and Villa have same goal difference, but are 10 places apart.”

    1250: TEAM NEWS SNAP
    Martin O’Neill recalls Connor Wickham to the starting line-up for the first time in a month, while Titus Bramble also starts for Sunderland. Blackburn are without Junior Hoilett thanks to a hamstring strain.

    AFCBPETER on Twitter: “Blackburn fans who have carried out a totally overboard vendetta against Kean should be ashamed. How much further will they go?”
    1245: So without further ado, why don’t you lot get involved yeah? Tweet the commentary via #BBCFootball, Tweet me @sampatricklyon or text in via 81111 (UK). It’s good to talk.

    1237: No matter which manager has the backing, though, a win’s a win – and a win today will lift either Sunderland or Blackburn out of the relegation zone and things will all of a sudden appear rather a lot rosier. It really is set up to be a monster match.

    1230: Today Martin O’Neill returns to where it all began. Having kicked off life as a Premier League manager with Leicester in Sunderland back in 1996, he returns this afternoon in the opposite dug-out with the small task at hand of a relegation six-pointer. He supported Sunderland as a boy and now he must drag them up from the doldrums despite a warming-in process shorter than a turtle’s trousers. Managerial bows don’t come much bigger than this, people.