Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle LIVE: Championship result, final score and reaction
Follow live coverage as Sunderland face Plymouth Argyle 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 3 - 1 Plymouth Argyle FC
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:56
Match ends, Sunderland 3, Plymouth Argyle 1.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:55
Second Half ends, Sunderland 3, Plymouth Argyle 1.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:55
Foul by Ben Waine (Plymouth Argyle).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:55
Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:54
Foul by Adil Aouchiche (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:54
Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:53
Jack Clarke (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:50
Corner, Plymouth Argyle. Conceded by Leo Hjelde.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:48
Corner, Plymouth Argyle. Conceded by Jobe Bellingham.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:47
Substitution, Sunderland. Jenson Seelt replaces Luke O'Nien.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:47
Matthew Sorinola (Plymouth Argyle) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:47
Dan Neil (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:45
Foul by Romaine Mundle (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:43
Foul by Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:41
Attempt saved. Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:37
Offside, Sunderland. Romaine Mundle is caught offside.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:37
Jack Clarke (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:37
Substitution, Plymouth Argyle. Ben Waine replaces Alfie Devine.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:37
Substitution, Plymouth Argyle. Julio Pleguezuelo replaces Ashley Phillips.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:37
Chris Rigg (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:34
Offside, Sunderland. Nazarii Rusyn is caught offside.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:33
Foul by Trai Hume (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:33
Foul by Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:33
Matthew Sorinola (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:33
Foul by Jack Clarke (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:31
Substitution, Plymouth Argyle. Lino Sousa replaces Mickel Miller.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:31
Substitution, Plymouth Argyle. Matthew Sorinola replaces Bali Mumba.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:31
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Bali Mumba.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:31
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Mickel Miller.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:30
Substitution, Sunderland. Romaine Mundle replaces Patrick Roberts.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:27
Darko Gyabi (Plymouth Argyle) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:27
Jack Clarke (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:25
Goal! Sunderland 3, Plymouth Argyle 1. Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) right footed shot from the left side of the box.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:24
Substitution, Plymouth Argyle. Adam Randell replaces Adam Forshaw.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:24
Substitution, Sunderland. Chris Rigg replaces Pierre Ekwah.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:24
Substitution, Sunderland. Jobe Bellingham replaces Abdoullah Ba.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:24
Foul by Nazarii Rusyn (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:23
Adam Forshaw (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:20
Attempt missed. Dan Neil (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:18
Goal! Sunderland 2, Plymouth Argyle 1. Jack Clarke (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box to the centre of the goal.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:18
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:17
Delay in match because of an injury Adam Forshaw (Plymouth Argyle).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:17
Foul by Jack Clarke (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:15
Offside, Plymouth Argyle. Morgan Whittaker is caught offside.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:13
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Morgan Whittaker.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:13
Attempt blocked. Jack Clarke (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:10
Goal! Sunderland 1, Plymouth Argyle 1. Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) from a free kick with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:10
Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:08
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Brendan Galloway.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:08
Attempt blocked. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
16:03
Second Half begins Sunderland 0, Plymouth Argyle 1.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:47
First Half ends, Sunderland 0, Plymouth Argyle 1.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:47
Foul by Jack Clarke (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:47
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Lewis Gibson.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:47
Attempt blocked. Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:47
Bali Mumba (Plymouth Argyle) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:47
Jack Clarke (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:44
Offside, Plymouth Argyle. Ryan Hardie is caught offside.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:42
Foul by Adam Forshaw (Plymouth Argyle).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:42
Attempt missed. Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from more than 40 yards on the left wing misses to the left. Assisted by Mickel Miller.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:40
Goal! Sunderland 0, Plymouth Argyle 1. Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from the right side of the box following a fast break.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:39
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Ashley Phillips.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:39
Attempt blocked. Nazarii Rusyn (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:38
Lewis Gibson (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:38
Foul by Dan Ballard (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:38
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Lewis Gibson.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:38
Attempt missed. Jack Clarke (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right from a direct free kick.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:38
Ashley Phillips (Plymouth Argyle) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:38
Abdoullah Ba (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:35
Foul by Jack Clarke (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:35
Foul by Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:35
Attempt blocked. Nazarii Rusyn (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:33
Foul by Dan Neil (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:27
Foul by Trai Hume (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:30
Attempt blocked. Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:30
Attempt saved. Jack Clarke (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Luke O'Nien.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:30
Attempt blocked. Jack Clarke (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:25
Morgan Whittaker (Plymouth Argyle) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:25
Foul by Morgan Whittaker (Plymouth Argyle).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:25
Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:27
Attempt blocked. Mickel Miller (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Morgan Whittaker.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:19
Trai Hume (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:17
Foul by Dan Ballard (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:16
Nazarii Rusyn (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:15
Attempt saved. Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:11
Abdoullah Ba (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:10
Foul by Abdoullah Ba (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:09
Foul by Jack Clarke (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:07
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Lewis Gibson.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:03
Offside, Sunderland. Jack Clarke is caught offside.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:03
Attempt missed. Bali Mumba (Plymouth Argyle) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Mickel Miller with a cross.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
15:01
First Half begins.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
14:30
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Sunderland vs Plymouth Argyle
14:00
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