Follow live coverage as Sunderland face Luton Town 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 1 - 0 Luton Town FC
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:32First Half ends, Sunderland 1, Luton Town 0.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:32Fourth official has announced 1 minutes of added time.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:30Foul by Millenic Alli (Luton Town).
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:30Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:30Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Dan Neil.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:30Foul by Trai Hume (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:30Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Reuell Walters.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:24Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Mark McGuinness.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:24Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Joe Johnson.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:22Offside, Luton Town. Carlton Morris is caught offside.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:19Attempt saved. Chris Rigg (Sunderland) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jobe Bellingham.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:18Offside, Luton Town. Millenic Alli is caught offside.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:19Attempt saved. Carlton Morris (Luton Town) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Joe Johnson with a cross.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:18Foul by Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:13Foul by Trai Hume (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:10Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:09Delay in match because of an injury Reuell Walters (Luton Town).
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:09Attempt blocked. Enzo Le Fée (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:08Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:07Attempt blocked. Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
20:01Dan Neil (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
19:58Goal! Sunderland 1, Luton Town 0. Enzo Le Fée (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
19:57Attempt missed. Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
19:57Attempt blocked. Dan Neil (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dennis Cirkin.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
19:55Lamine Fanne (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
19:51Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Reuell Walters.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
19:51Foul by Lamine Fanne (Luton Town).
Sunderland vs Luton Town
19:49Attempt missed. Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
19:46First Half begins.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
19:15Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Sunderland vs Luton Town
17:45Follow live football coverage with The Independent today.
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