Follow live coverage as Sunderland face Sheffield United 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.

Relegation from the top flight last term means Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United are all back in the second tier this term and will be expected to push for play-off spots again at least, but so too will Norwich City, an improving Coventry and beaten play-off finalists Leeds United. At the other end of the table, Wayne Rooney is aiming to revive Plymouth’s fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation last year, with Portsmouth and Derby the teams promoted from League One along with play-off final winners Oxford.

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

Sunderland AFC 2 - 1 Sheffield United FC

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:58

Match ends, Sunderland 2, Sheffield United 1.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:56

Second Half ends, Sunderland 2, Sheffield United 1.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:56

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:56

Delay in match because of an injury Anthony Patterson (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:55

Substitution, Sunderland. Nazariy Rusyn replaces Wilson Isidor.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:51

Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:51

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Wilson Isidor.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:51

Attempt blocked. Tom Davies (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Gustavo Hamer.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:58

Attempt blocked. Kieffer Moore (Sheffield United) right footed shot from very close range is blocked.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:55

Attempt blocked. Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United) header from very close range is blocked.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:51

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Jobe Bellingham.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:50

Jack Robinson (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:50

Foul by Jack Robinson (Sheffield United).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:47

Aji Alese (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:47

Michael Cooper (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:47

Attempt saved. Chris Mepham (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Patrick Roberts with a cross.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:46

Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Rhys Norrington-Davies.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:46

Attempt blocked. Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. Assisted by Leo Hjelde.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:46

Substitution, Sunderland. Leo Hjelde replaces Adil Aouchiche.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:44

Attempt missed. Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box from a direct free kick.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:43

Harrison Burrows (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:42

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Dan Neil.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:42

Attempt blocked. Harrison Burrows (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:42

Attempt saved. Andre Brooks (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Harrison Burrows.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:41

Foul by Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:41

Hand ball by Ryan Oné (Sheffield United).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:41

Substitution, Sheffield United. Ryan Oné replaces Callum O'Hare.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:41

Substitution, Sheffield United. Rhys Norrington-Davies replaces Sam McCallum.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:41

Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:37

Foul by Luke O'Nien (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:41

Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:41

Attempt saved. Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dan Neil.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:36

Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:34

Foul by Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:36

Attempt saved. Jack Robinson (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Harrison Burrows with a cross.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:33

Callum O'Hare (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:32

Attempt missed. Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Eliezer Mayenda.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:30

Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:30

Foul by Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:28

Foul by Tom Davies (Sheffield United).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:28

Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:25

Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:26

Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:23

Attempt missed. Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:23

Substitution, Sheffield United. Harrison Burrows replaces Sydie Peck.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:23

Substitution, Sheffield United. Andre Brooks replaces Alfie Gilchrist.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:20

Sam McCallum (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:20

Attempt blocked. Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Dan Neil.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:19

Foul by Adil Aouchiche (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:16

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Chris Mepham.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:14

Trai Hume (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:12

Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:11

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Trai Hume.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:11

Attempt blocked. Sam McCallum (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Rhian Brewster.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:14

Attempt blocked. Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:12

Attempt blocked. Kieffer Moore (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Gustavo Hamer with a cross.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:09

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Chris Mepham.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:11

Attempt missed. Callum O'Hare (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:09

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:09

Delay in match because of an injury Wilson Isidor (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:14

Attempt missed. Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Adil Aouchiche with a cross.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

21:06

Second Half begins Sunderland 2, Sheffield United 1.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:50

First Half ends, Sunderland 2, Sheffield United 1.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:49

Fourth official has announced 2 minutes of added time.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:49

Tom Davies (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:44

Attempt missed. Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Dan Neil following a fast break.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:43

Attempt missed. Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Trai Hume.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:38

Goal! Sunderland 2, Sheffield United 1. Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Eliezer Mayenda.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:36

Alfie Gilchrist (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:35

Own Goal by Luke O'Nien, Sunderland. Sunderland 1, Sheffield United 1.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:35

Attempt missed. Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the right side of the box.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:35

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Anthony Patterson.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:35

Attempt saved. Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) right footed shot from long range on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tom Davies.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:33

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Aji Alese.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:32

Attempt missed. Adil Aouchiche (Sunderland) left footed shot from the left side of the box following a fast break.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:31

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Aji Alese.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:30

Goal! Sunderland 1, Sheffield United 0. Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:27

Attempt missed. Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Trai Hume with a cross.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:26

Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Michael Cooper.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:26

Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Sam McCallum.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:26

Attempt blocked. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Chris Mepham.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:24

Foul by Dan Neil (Sunderland).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:20

Foul by Sydie Peck (Sheffield United).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:20

Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:19

Foul by Tom Davies (Sheffield United).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:18

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Jobe Bellingham.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:19

Attempt blocked. Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:18

Penalty saved. Kieffer Moore (Sheffield United) right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:16

Penalty conceded by Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) after a foul in the penalty area.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:16

Penalty Sheffield United. Kieffer Moore draws a foul in the penalty area.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:16

Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:12

Attempt saved. Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:11

Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Michael Cooper.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:11

Attempt saved. Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:11

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:11

Delay in match (Sheffield United).

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

20:03

First Half begins.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

19:30

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Sunderland vs Sheffield United

18:00

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