Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers LIVE: Championship latest score, goals and updates from fixture

Follow live coverage as Sunderland face Blackburn Rovers in the Championship today.

An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season.

Last year Southampton, Leicester City and Leeds United were relegated from the top flight and all are hopeful of making a quick return - but the likes of Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland all have real promotion ambitions too.

At the other end of the table, QPR, Cardiff City and Birmingham City will hope for better campaigns than last year’s relegation struggle - while newcomers Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to survive after dramatic progress through the play-offs.

Follow live updates from today’s game in the live blog below.

Sunderland AFC 1 - 5 Blackburn Rovers FC

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

17:00

Match ends, Sunderland 1, Blackburn Rovers 5.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:59

Second Half ends, Sunderland 1, Blackburn Rovers 5.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:57

Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Callum Styles.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:57

Attempt blocked. Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sondre Tronstad.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:57

Attempt saved. Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:56

Attempt saved. Bradley Dack (Sunderland) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:59

Attempt missed. Trai Hume (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:52

Foul by Chris Rigg (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:51

Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Sammie Szmodics is caught offside.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:49

Attempt saved. Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box is saved.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:48

Foul by Dilan Markanday (Blackburn Rovers).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:48

Jack Clarke (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:45

Goal! Sunderland 1, Blackburn Rovers 5. Andrew Moran (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from very close range.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:52

Attempt missed. Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from very close range misses to the right.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:44

Foul by Bradley Dack (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:44

Foul by Trai Hume (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:41

Goal! Sunderland 1, Blackburn Rovers 4. Chris Rigg (Sunderland) left footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:41

Attempt saved. Bradley Dack (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box is saved.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:41

Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:40

Chris Rigg (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:40

Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Jack Clarke.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:39

Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. John Buckley replaces Ryan Hedges.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:39

Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Dilan Markanday replaces Joe Rankin-Costello.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:37

Attempt blocked. Ryan Hedges (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrew Moran.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:33

Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Andrew Moran replaces Sam Gallagher.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:30

Offside, Sunderland. Chris Rigg is caught offside.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:29

Bradley Dack (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:27

Foul by Callum Styles (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:26

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:26

Delay in match because of an injury Luke O'Nien (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:26

Foul by Sam Gallagher (Blackburn Rovers).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:25

Attempt missed. Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:21

Foul by Bradley Dack (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:20

Jack Clarke (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:20

Substitution, Sunderland. Chris Rigg replaces Patrick Roberts.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:19

Substitution, Sunderland. Jack Clarke replaces Romaine Mundle.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:19

Substitution, Sunderland. Bradley Dack replaces Adil Aouchiche.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:18

Goal! Sunderland 0, Blackburn Rovers 4. Tyrhys Dolan (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:15

Offside, Sunderland. Jobe Bellingham is caught offside.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:13

Attempt missed. Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the left side of the box.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:13

Foul by Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:11

Goal! Sunderland 0, Blackburn Rovers 3. Ryan Hedges (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from the centre of the box following a fast break.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

16:09

Second Half begins Sunderland 0, Blackburn Rovers 2.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:53

First Half ends, Sunderland 0, Blackburn Rovers 2.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:51

Foul by Sam Gallagher (Blackburn Rovers).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:51

Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:50

Attempt blocked. Dan Neil (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:47

Foul by Sam Gallagher (Blackburn Rovers).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:47

Dominic Hyam (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:47

Attempt missed. Romaine Mundle (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Pierre Ekwah.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:47

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:47

Delay in match because of an injury Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:39

Attempt saved. Joe Rankin-Costello (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:38

Goal! Sunderland 0, Blackburn Rovers 2. Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Joe Rankin-Costello.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:37

Foul by Patrick Roberts (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:37

Ben Chrisene (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:37

Attempt blocked. Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:35

Attempt blocked. Adil Aouchiche (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:34

Foul by Dominic Hyam (Blackburn Rovers).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:33

Sam Gallagher (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:31

Goal! Sunderland 0, Blackburn Rovers 1. Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from the left side of the box.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:27

Attempt saved. Joe Rankin-Costello (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:25

Foul by Sondre Tronstad (Blackburn Rovers).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:25

Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Sam Gallagher is caught offside.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:24

Foul by Sam Gallagher (Blackburn Rovers).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:24

Attempt missed. Tyrhys Dolan (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Dominic Hyam.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:23

Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Ben Chrisene replaces Harry Pickering because of an injury.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:23

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:23

Delay in match because of an injury Harry Pickering (Blackburn Rovers).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:19

Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Callum Styles.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:19

Attempt blocked. Joe Rankin-Costello (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Hedges.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:15

Foul by Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:14

Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Callum Brittain.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:12

Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Dominic Hyam.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:12

Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Aynsley Pears.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:11

Foul by Dominic Hyam (Blackburn Rovers).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:10

Foul by Ryan Hedges (Blackburn Rovers).

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:08

Attempt saved. Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is saved.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:04

Attempt saved. Adil Aouchiche (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box is saved.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

15:02

First Half begins.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

14:30

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers

14:00

Follow live football coverage with The Independent today.

Whether it's Premier League, Champions League, a European Championship or the World Cup we will keep you up to date with everything you need to know.

We will have all the latest scores, goals and updates plus analysis and reaction throughout the game here.