FT: Sunderland U21 3-0 Dev Squad
FT: Sunderland deservedly secured a win however a three goal margin may have flattered the hosts. Very little seperated the two sides until the final few minutes.
90: 3-0 Sunderland. Rees Greenwood slots home and seals the win for the Black Cats.
87: 2-0 Sunderland. Duncan Watmore seals the victory with a well taken finish after good old up play by Mandron.
85: Last few minutes to find an equaliser. The Dev Squad are doing all they can yet the Sunderland defence are staying resolute.
80: Oscar Borg replaces Lewis Page for the final ten minutes.
76: Free kick to the Dev Squad just outside the area. Josh Cullen takes it but it takes a deflection and goes out for a corner. Sunderland regroup and clear their lines.
75: Great save from Howes to keep the Hammers in the game following Greenwood's close range header.
72: Another stoppage as Jaanai Gordon has pulled up. The Sunderland players kick the ball out of play very sportingly so he can recieve attention.
70: Brief stoppage in play as Sunderland's Thomas Robson receives some treatment. Thankfully he's OK to continue.
65: Sunderland are piling on the pressure as they claim for another penalty which the referee waves away. Moments later Mandron goes close again.
60: Substitute for the Dev Squad as Steve Potts decides to bring on Grady Diangana for Joe Powell.
56: Good move by the visitors which starts with Lewis Page down the left wing. Joe Powell's incisive throughball is intercepted just as Mavila was about to run onto it.
52: Mikael Mandron goes close to scoring as he hits the post from a tight angle. A let off for the Dev Squad.
50: Sunderland manager Gus Poyet is watching on from the stands as is striker Danny Graham. Can anyone out on the pitch impress the manager?
46: We're back underway at Eppleton. A big 45 minutes is needed from the Dev Squad if they're to get anything from the game. Nathan Mavila as replaced Matt Carter.
HT: Half time here at Eppleton and Martin Smith's penalty is the only thing that seperates the two teams. Sunderland shaded the early exchanges but the Dev Squad rallied after conceding.
45: Sunderland are trying to take the sting out of the last few minutes as they pass it around crisply. The move eventually falls to Duncan Watmore who curls a shot but it is blocked by Josh Pask.
42: Final few minutes before half-time. Can the Claret and Blues find an equaliser?
38: Jordan Brown is working tirelessly to win the ball back, chasing every ball however Sunderland have found their passing rhythm.
35: Joe Powell goes close with a cross that due to the wind almost catches 'keeper out but he readjusts and clutches gratefully.
30: The Dev Squad have responded well to going a goal down however they don't have anything to show for their efforts.
26: 1-0 Sunderland. Seconds later Sunderland go down the other end and win a penalty. Martin Smit keeps his composure to send Sam Howes the wrong way.
25: Good holdup play from Jordan Brown wins a free kick. Powell swings the delivery in which Gordon gets his head to. Somehow Joel Dixon gets hands to it and saves.
22: Chance for the Dev Squad to break with Joe Powell but the move breaks down, good desire from the young winger. Down the other end of the pitch, Sunderland appeal for a penalty after Carl Lawson goes down but the referee waves away the appeals.
18: Jaanai Gordon again goes close to breaking the deadlock as he turns and shoots in box however it falls just the wrong side of the post and out.
14: The Hammers again have to clear their lines after a smart shot is tipped over by Howes. The resulting corner is swung in deep at the back post and away.
12: The game has settled down a bit more now as both teams try and maintain possession.
9: More sustained pressure from the hosts however the Dev Squad stand firm. Lewis Page slides in to make a strong but well timed challenge. Sam Howes saves well at Mikael Mandron's feet.
5: Down the other end Jaanai Gordon goes close from 12 yards out, his shot going out for a goalkick.
3: Frantic start as Sunderland apply early pressure. Josh Pask clears his lines before Joe Powell wins a throw in following a lovely flick. Moments later Sam Howes has to rush off his line to clear the danger.
1: We're underway! Sunderland to kick us off.
18.59: The players are out on the pitch and the pre-match handshakes are underway. Captain Josh Cullen is in the middle of the pitch for the coin toss. The Hammers will kick right-to-left in this first half.
18.52: The players go into their dressing rooms for some final words of encouragement with under ten minutes to go until kick off. The pitch looks to be in great condition.
18.45: Just 15 minutes to go until here in the North East. An impressive number of fans have braved the conditions to show their support. Let's hope the match lives up to their expectations.
18.35: Tonight's hosts Sunderland are currently tenth with 16 points from their 14 league games, just four points ahead of the Dev Squad. The Black Cats have been in good form of late having secured a valuable 1-1 draw away at Manchester United.
18.20: In the reverse fixture back in September, the Hammers recorded their first win of the season with a 2-0 win thanks to an Elliot Lee brace.
18.15: Both sets of players are out on the pitch here at Eppleton. It's a windy night in the North East for a match that both sets of teams really to win.
Sunderland: Dixon, Cartwright, Robson, Agnew, McNamee, Beadling, Watmore, Smith, Mandron, Lawson, Greenwood
Subs: Robson, Burke, Wright, Ledger, Blinco
West Ham United: Howes, Pike, Page (Borg 80), Makasi, Onariase, Pask, Powell (Diangana 60), Carter (Mavila 45), Brown, Cullen (c), Gordon
Subs: Boness
The teams are in...
Hello and welcome to tonight's coverage of the Barclays U21 Premier League game between Sunderland U21s and West Ham United's Development Squad. We'll have live updates for you throughout tonight's proceedings, starting with the team news shortly.