Source: Daily_Mail
PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Sunderland v West Ham - follow all the action from the Stadium of Light
Follow Sportsmail's live coverage of the final Barclays Premier League game of the day where Sunderland play host to West Ham. The Black Cats are looking for a win that keeps them in the hunt for Europe but relegation threatened Hammers will be boosted by two impressive wins in the past week. Email all your thoughts on the game to dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk[LNB] Sunderland 1-0 West Ham (4pm)Sunderland: Gordon, Onuoha, Mensah, Ferdinand, Bardsley, Henderson (Elmohamady 86), Cattermole, Richardson, Welbeck, Bent (Malbranque 76), Gyan (Zenden 90).Subs: Mignolet, Angeleri, Da Silva, Riveros.[LNB]Goals: Henderson 34.West Ham: Green, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Upson, Ben-Haim (Faubert 83), Dyer (Piquionne 69), Parker, Spector, Boa Morte (Hines 69), Obinna, Cole.Subs: Reid, Barrera, Kovac, Spence.Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire) [LNB]17.58: For Sunderland that fine home record continues as they go up to seventh and maintain their charge for a European spot.[LNB]That just about wraps things up here, but don't forget to check back tomorrow when Gerard Houllier returns to Anfield with Aston Villa to take on Liverpool.[LNB]Until then thank you for following our coverage today and enjoy that last little bit of the weekend. Cheers.[LNB]17.55: That result sends West Ham bottom who see Wolves go above them courtesy of scoring more goals.[LNB]A close game in the end which has been decided by a moment of Henderson quality in that first half.[LNB]Full-time: Sunderland 1-0 West Ham[LNB]90+4min: Or does it? As West Ham win a free-kick out wide. But with everyone up the ball in the box is plucked out by Gordan. That should be that.[LNB]90+3min: Final effort goes to Elmohamady whose sliced effort on the edge of the box flies wide.[LNB]90+2min: Final sub from Sunderland as Bolo Zenden replaces Gyan to eat up some time.[LNB]90+1min: Three minutes added on.[LNB]90min: As you expect, it's staying in the corner and the inevitable frustration from Parker sees him plough into Gyan to give away a free-kick.[LNB]89min: Sunderland win a corner and with the time ticking, they won't be in too much of a hurry to take this.[LNB]88min: Time running out for the Hammers, who just have not put enough pressure on the Black Cats this half.[LNB]86min: Second change for Bruce as Ahmed Elmohamady comes on for goal hero Henderson.[LNB]85min: Brilliant move as Gyan chips in Richardson but after Green fumbles the one-on-one, Welbeck's attempt at an open goal is superbly blocked by Tomkins.[LNB]83min: Final throw of the dice from Grant who brings on Julien Faubert for Tal Ben-Haim.[LNB]82min: He nearly makes up for it at the other end as Obinna does well to make space for a cross on the left before finding Parker in the box, who can only get a faint touch as it flies across goal.[LNB]81min: Shame Green didn't let this in it would have been the funniest own goal ever. Parker's attempted clearance from a corner is only high and as it takes an age to come down, forces Green to urgently tip it over his own bar.[LNB]79min: Hearts in mouth moment for Sunderland, a loose ball across the penalty area falls for Obinna whose shot beats Gordan but crashes off the outside of his near post. unlucky.[LNB]78min: Nothing comes of it and I am struggling to think of a moment in this game where either keeper has been fully stretched to make a save.[LNB]77min: That change has had the reverse effect as West Ham are back on the offensive as they win a corner.[LNB]76min: And to the chants of 'Steeeeeeeeeeeeed' he comes on to replaces a slightly shocked Bent.[LNB]75min: That double sub has had the reverse effect, Steve Bruce side look the more likely to score as Steed Malbranque gets ready to come on.[LNB]73min: Set-pieces have been woeful today and there is another as Sunderland fail to beat the first man from a corner.[LNB]Such a good chance to score I don't know why tams don't put more focus on them.[LNB] Sighter: Carlton Cole lets fly across goal[LNB]70min But it's Sunderland that have the better opportunity on the counter, with Bent and Henderson playing a one-two that is just to slow allowing West Ham to get players back and crowd out the goalscorer.[LNB]69min: Here comes that double change with Boa Morte and Dyer coming off as West ham win a free-kick 35 yards out.[LNB]67min: Avram Grant is preparing a double change with Frederic Piquionne and Zavon Hines getting ready to come on.[LNB]66min: Another half-chance from the home side, Cattermole slides in Gyan but under pressure can only again fire straight at Green who elects to parry away to safety.[LNB]64min: But it's Richardson who gets a strike in, his 35 yard snap shot easily taken by Green.[LNB]63min: Better from the Hammers they now boss the game with possession and the home fans are getting restless again, which can only have a negative effect on their team.[LNB]61min: Hour gone and it's fair to say this is no more than simmering. The potential is there for this to get going though.[LNB]57min: VERY lucky boy. Cole should be off for a second bookable offence after deliberately handling the ball when contesting a header. In my opinion Martin Atkinson has bottled making that no brainier decision which was right in front of him.[LNB]56min: Home side have indeed woke up and are passing it about with the same freedom they did in the first half.[LNB]Like the first period though not much chances.[LNB]53min: Slight delay from Anton Ferdinand getting injured but he is back up and running.[LNB]51min: Stunning tackle, Cattermole was about to pull the trigger from just outside the box but Parker slides in from the side to fully take the ball and clear the danger. Perfectly timed.[LNB] Chase down: Nedum Onuhoa (right) pressurises Jonathan Spector[LNB]49min: Away side are much more alert, Obinna feeds Cole who turns on the edge of the 18 yard box before firing just wide of the across goal. Early warning for Sunderland to get their act together.[LNB]48min: Hammers have come out fighting, but a Gabbidon cross that forces Gordan to urgently come out and claim is the most threatening they have been so far.[LNB]46min: Some hope for you Hammers fans, Sunderland have dropped 11 points from winning positions this season.[LNB]Second-half: Cole and Parker get this second period going.[LNB]17.02: Sides back out no changes from either manager by the looks of things.[LNB]16.55: The Hammers have not won on the road since their first away day last season and that run looks likely to continue here.[LNB]Grant is going to need to make changes to alter the course of this match because this has Sunderland win written all over it.[LNB]16.50: Not a game your going to see on your Premier League review of the season DVD in a few months time.[LNB]But Sunderland are well in control here and deserve their lead at the break.[LNB]Half-time: Sunderland 1-0 West Ham[LNB]45min: Two minutes of injury time as West ham have a late spell of pressure with successive corners.[LNB]44min: Fantastic run from Spector, he charges through the centre untouched from the defence before his shot off balance from inside the box flashes just wide of the post.[LNB]42min: Sunderland are swarming all over Wet Ham. They cannot contain Welbeck who dances through the defence before eventually seeing his shot blocked.[LNB]The rebound falls for Cattermole outside the box whose powerful drive takes a deflection on its way out for a corner.[LNB]40min: Unfortunate. Richardson with space outside the box hits a powerful shot that looks set to test Green but only succeeds in hitting Welbeck...who is flagged for offside.[LNB]38min: Frustration from Cole, he collects the ball from Dyer but can only run into the two Sunderland centre-backs and after losing the ball to John Mensah, kicks out at him getting himself a needless booking.[LNB]36min: Holy smokes! What a goal that could have been. On the left hand side of the area Gyan chips the ball across goal that has Green well beaten as it bounces on the top of the bar before going out of play.[LNB] Badge of honour: Jordan Henderson celebrates his opening strike[LNB]34min: GOAL! SUNDERLAND 1-0 West Ham[LNB]This game has come alive! Gyan beats the offside trap on the right and as he gets into a good crossing position lays the ball across goal for Jordan Henderson to expertly place in the corner.[LNB]33min: Tidy but not much more from Bent. outside the box he is quickly closed down but not before he can get a testing shot away that Green takes comfortably. Twiddle your thumbs stuff this game.[LNB]31min: Home support getting restless as West Ham start to knock it about, very even game. Looks like the key battle in this game will be between Scott Parker and Cattermole.[LNB]28min: Not a classic this contest, Sunderland for all their 70 per cent possession have not done much.[LNB]25min: Sunderland doing all the pressing but credit where it's due, Tomkins and Matthew Upson are managing to keep Bent & co quiet.[LNB]22min: It's Victor Obinna who strikes it but it's straight at Craig Gordan who shows great discipline to stick to his side of the goal and not venture behind the wall as so many keepers do.[LNB]21min: Promising free-kick for West Ham central 25 yards out, Boa Morte stands over it.[LNB]19min: That had more venom. Gyan surrounded by West Ham players lays the ball back to Welbeck who in turn plays the ball square across the penalty area where Richardson blazes it over the bar. So high in fact it looked like a rugby drop goal attempt...obviously without picking the ball up first.[LNB]18min: Sunderland bossing much more of the ball but they don't look as menacing as you would expect from the home side. Easy work or the Hammers thus far.[LNB]15min: Well taken by Green. Cattermole's effort from 25 yards is straight at him but hints a little movement and the England stopper does well to keep hold of it at the first attempt.[LNB]13min: Handball shout against James Tomkins as Gyan heads the ball down in the penalty box, but that would have been harsh as it seems to bounce off his knee.[LNB] Lethal: Early parts of the game were dominated by strong challenges[LNB]12min: Scrappy opening, no side can get a flowing move going and neither keeper has had a save to make.[LNB]9min: Now Lee Cattermole is booked after sliding behind at Boa Morte's feet. Not as reckless as the Portugese's challenge though.[LNB]7min: Handbags! Luis Boa Morte has a horrendous lunge on Kieran Richardson and if I'm being honest he is lucky to only get booked.[LNB]Richardson reacts angrily before both player's teammates intervene to diffuse the situation.[LNB]5min: First corner to Sunderland, but Robert Green does well to come out and get a good punch on the ball.[LNB]4min: Silly. Kieron Dyer takes a throw in on the right but after getting the ball back is in an offside position. He has the WHOLE line to look across.[LNB]2min: Early pressure from Sunderland, they are winning all the 50/50s and are passing it around confidently.[LNB]Kick-off: Bent and Gyan kick us off.[LNB]15.59: This from Opta: [LNB]Sunderland have won only one of their last 11 Premier League games against West Ham[LNB]15.57: Cold afternoon in the north east, but not a snood in sight. Gloves yes but no snoods.[LNB]A good thing in my opinion they are just rubbish scarves are they not?[LNB]15.53: Goals are the order of the day. Goal machine Darren Bent is joined in the attack by the impressive Asamoah Gyan, with Danny Welbeck providing support in the wing. Net busters.[LNB]But West Ham won 4-0 mid-week courtesy of two goal men Jonathan Spector and Carlton Cole and will fancy their chances of going against a Sunderland side who are missing first choice defenders Titus Bramble and Michael Turner.[LNB]15.49: Of course if you are a fan of big scores then a 5-0 win for the Black Cats will take them to sixth, while West Ham would need to win 8-0 to climb above Fulham.[LNB]I admit there is more chance of Qatar staging a World Cup but..ah...You catch my drift.[LNB]15.47: For Sunderland a win will take them to seventh and just three points behind what currently is the last Europa League spot in fifth.[LNB]For the Hammers they will stay in the bottom three but will go on equal points with Wigan and Fulham, with the west Londoners hovering just outside the relegation zone.[LNB]15.44: I really hope we have a winner today. The potential to open things up at either end of the table is too great to be missed out on.[LNB]15.41: Record signing Asamoah Gyan returns to the starting line-up as Sunderland attempt to end West Ham's recent revival.[LNB]The £13million-plus striker, who appeared only as a substitute in last weekend's 3-2 defeat at Wolves, is included at the expense of Bolo Zenden, who takes his place on the bench.[LNB]Hammers boss Avram Grant makes three changes to the side which dumped Manchester United out of the Carling Cup in midweek as Danny Gabbidon, Kieron Dyer and Scott Parker return.[LNB]Julien Faubert, Pablo Barrera and Radoslav Kovac are the men to make way with the Londoners looking for a second victory of the season at the Stadium of Light following their Carling Cup success on Wearside in September.[LNB]15.38: As they lineup from the Stadium of Light:[LNB]Sunderland v West HamSunderland: Gordon, Onuoha, Mensah, Ferdinand, Bardsley, Henderson, Cattermole, Richardson, Welbeck, Bent, Gyan. Subs: Mignolet, Zenden, Malbranque, Angeleri, Da Silva, Riveros, Elmohamady.West Ham: Green, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Upson, Ben-Haim, Dyer, Parker, Spector, Boa Morte, Obinna, Cole. Subs: Reid, Barrera, Kovac, Faubert, Hines, Spence, Piquionne.Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)[LNB]15.35: A pivotal game you feel in both these team's seasons, albeit for very different reasons.[LNB]A win for Sunderland and they maintain what on the face of it so far this campaign seems a very credible push for a European spot, as they continue to go from strength to strength under Steve Bruce.[LNB]But West Ham have had a mini resurgence this week, and will be looking to win today to go level on points with Fulham who sit just outside the relegation zone. Team news on the way in what promises to be a very interesting fixture.[LNB] Back amongst the goals: Darren Bent has found his scoring instincts since returning from injury[LNB] David Meyler set for an extraordinary return to Sunderland benchCole could quit West Ham in January, warns Grant as rivals target swoopALL SUNDERLAND FC
