C. Benteke has scored a goal for Crystal Palace! Assist by Lee Chung-Yong.
Lee, seconds after his introduction, delivered the telling cross for Benteke.
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL FOR PALACE!!!!!!! Benteke completes a stunning turnaround, right at the death! Benteke steals a yard on the Sunderland defence and gets his head to the delivery to rise and head beyond Pickford. Incredibly, after Defoe gave Sunderland a two-goal advantage, they find themselves 3-2 down with just seconds left to play. Alan Pardew is delighted!
90' +3
Lee Chung-Yong enters the game and replaces J. Puncheon.
Jason Puncheon is replaced by Chung-Yong Lee
It's the last minute of added time, and Palace have won a free-kick right next to the Sunderland corner-flag as Manquillo bundles over Wickham.
90' +2
It's a really poor delivery though and Sunderland clear easily.
90' +1
Kone runs into the back of Wickham and Palace have a free-kick, around 30 yards from goal. Townsend stands over it...
A long Palace ball finds Benteke, but his flick on only finds Kone and the Palace opening goes begging.
90'
Four minutes of added time. Can either side claim a late winner?
89'
Sunderland pump a free-kick into the Palace box, but Puncheon clears.
88'
Controversy in the final stages, as Benteke brings down a Ledley ball in the area, and tries to take it past Djilobodji, only for Benteke to appeal for handball. But both players actually appeared to handle it, but nothing is given.
87'
CHANCE FOR PALACE! Palace break and almost complete a remarkable turnaround. Townsend picks the ball up, drives inside and tries to bend it into Pickford's far post, but he can't get enough curl on the ball and he fires it inches wide. A real opportunity wasted.
86'
V. Anichebe enters the game and replaces A. Januzaj.
P. McNair enters the game and replaces L. Cattermole.
Paddy McNair replaces Lee Cattermole.
More fantastic direct running leads to a pass to van Aanholt, and a sliding Palace challenge which leads to a Sunderland corner. It's cleared to Ndong, who tries an effort from outside the box, but it can't reach goal through a sea of bodies.
Januzaj makes way for the debut of Victor Anichebe.
84'
A fabulous diagonal pass from Djilobodji finds Januzaj, but his cross into the area is headed to safety.
Minute
Description
83'
Townsend skips past his marker but Djilobodji clears his cross.
82'
The game has slowed right down since that frenetic period where goals flew in. Sunderland are going to give a debut to Victor Anichebe soon. Could he be the man to win it?
Benteke receives a pass on his chest, but is flagged offside. Can either side steal a late winner?
80'
Sunderland appeal for handball as van Aanholt's cross hits Ward, but nothing is given. The full-back takes the corner, but Benteke heads clear. Januzaj tries a shot, but it's way over the bar.
78'
We're in for a barnstorming finale to this game after Palace have somehow pulled themselves level. Between their goals, Sunderland were utterly dominant and looked likely to put the game to bed. But that fantastic McArthur goal has got them back to parity, and you wouldn't bet against them going on to get another.
77'
Sunderland waste an opportunity to shoot on goal from 20 yards out, as Kirchhoff instead opts to pass, much to the dismay of the home support.
Palace are almost in again as a cross from the right causes confusion in the Sunderland defence, but they just about manage to clear.
76'
J. McArthur has scored a goal for Crystal Palace! Assist by Z. Fryers.
Fryers takes all the plaudits for a fabulous cross.
GOOOOOOOOOOOAL FOR PALACE! What a fabulous introduction from substitute Zeki Fryers, who has been on the midfield less than a minute. He gets the ball on the left and arrows a sublime ball into the area onto the head of James McArthur, who fires it beyond Pickford to level the game. It's completely against the run of play, but the travelling support do not care. We're level!
75'
Z. Fryers enters the game and replaces M. Kelly.
Kelly is replaced by Zeki Fryers.
74'
Ward finds a cross which Kone heads clear, and Puncheon's subsequent airshot sees ironic cheers from the home support.
Benteke, who has cut a frustrated and isolated figure throughout, is now joined in attack by Wickham, giving Palace a real physical presence in the final third. Can it help them get back into the game?
73'
C. Wickham enters the game and replaces Y. Cabaye.
Palace have to deal with more Sunderland pressure, and manage to clear Watmore's cross.
Palace make their first change as Yohan Cabaye is replaced by former Sunderland man Connor Wickham
72'
J. Puncheon gets yellow.
More fantastic, powerful running from Watmore in midfield draws the foul from Puncheon who receives a caution.
70'
CHANCE! Palace have been so poor since their goal. Sunderland are almost in again, a low ball into the area finds Defoe, who tries to spin and shoot, and so does Watmore, but the away side are able to clear.
69'
CHANCE! Sunderland are playing extremely positively since the goal, with a raking Cattermole pass finding Januzaj, who tries to tee up Watmore. Defoe eventually receives the ball, but his shot from distance, under pressure, sails over the bar.
68'
Sunderland have reacted well to that shock Palace goal, coming just moments after they'd gone two up. Cattermole tries to find Defoe's run, but he is just offside.
67'
Sunderland waste a good opportunity as van Aanholt's free-kick into the box is weak and easily blocked. Januzaj picks up the rebound, takes it into the area, but his shot is poor and it's an easy task for Mandanda to gather.
65'
The tireless Watmore picks the ball up in the centre circle and carries it forward past several Palace challenges to win Sunderland a throw deep in the visitors' half.
64'
Fantastic skill from Januzaj near the corner flag takes him beyond van Aanholt, but he again struggles to find the killer pass and overruns it for a Palace goal-kick.
63'
Well, what a breathless couple of minutes of football, and it's as you were with Sunderland attempting to preserve a one-goal advantage. But the Stadium of Light is notably quieter after that Ledley strike, stunned that their team surrended their two-goal advantage so quickly.
61'
J. Ledley has scored a goal for Crystal Palace! Assist by J. McArthur.
McArthur will claim the assist for that, as he nudged it back towards Ledley as he made a nuisance of himself in the area.
GOOOOOOAL FOR PALACE! Suddenly, it's 2-1! Palace get back into the game just one minute after Defoe extended Sunderland's lead. It comes from a hopeful punt into the Sunderland box which they cannot deal with. The ball comes to Joe Ledley on the edge of the box, and his low, left-footed drive hits the outstretched boot of van Aanholt and wrongfoots Pickford, and the ball goes into the net. Palace have a lifeline!
60'
J. Defoe has scored a goal for Sunderland!
GOOOOOOAL FOR SUNDERLAND!!!! It's Defoe's second of the game! Seconds after he is denied by a smart save from Mandanda, the ball is recycled and finds Watmore, who stabs a cross back across goal towards Defoe, who steadies himself, and then lashes the ball into the net with his left foot. It's a brace for Defoe and Sunderland have a hugely valuable two goal advantage.
58'
The impressive Kirchhoff steps in and mops up another Palace raid, stealing the ball from the toe of Townsend.
Puncheon's cross from the right flank reaches Benteke, but he is at full stretch and his header drifts wide.
57'
Palace are generally playing the better football today, but are really struggling to create meaningful opportunties. Sunderland, who are a bit more slapdash in possession, do pose an attacking threat through the pace of Watmore and finesse of Defoe.
56'
A mix-up in Palace's backline sees Mandanda almost lose the ball to Watmore, but Palace scramble to safety, much to their keeper's relief.
54'
CHANCE FOR PALACE! Sunderland's free-kick is cleared and suddenly Palace have a three-on-two break. Puncheon's pass to Cabaye is weak and slows the attack, but the ball eventually is fed back to Puncheon, who shoots first time and Pickford smartly palms it away. That's Palace's first chance of this second half.
Sunderland fans are not happy as a late, sliding Delaney challenge upends Watmore as he steals a yard in front of him. Van Aanholt stands over a free-kick in a dangerous, wide position.
52'
Palace have another free-kick as Defoe trods on Ward's heel, but Townsend's effort is poor and Sunderland easily clear.
He fires it low, and it is partially blocked by the wall out for a Palace corner. Puncheon's cross is cleared by van Aanholt.
51'
Palace win a free-kick in a dangerous area, with Cabaye standing over it...
50'
A forward pass from Kone almost finds Defoe, who has created some space, but his athletic reach for the ball is in vain and it runs through to Mandanda.
49'
More nice midfield play from Palace leads to an attack, but Benteke is flagged offside. Palace's record signing is struggling to make much of an impact on proceedings so far.
48'
First foray forward in the half from Palace, thanks to industrious running from Ledley, keen to atone for his error for the goal. He finds Townsend, whose whipped left-footed cross cannot reach Benteke, who is muscled away from the ball impressively by Djilobodji.
Sunderland have made the brightest start to this second period, keeping possession in the centre of the pitch through Kone, Kirchhoff and Cattermole, but they cannot create an opportunity in the attacking third.
46'
A big diagonal ball almost finds Manquillo, but he runs out of pitch and the ball just evades him and goes behind for a Palace goal-kick.
45' +4
Y. Cabaye gets yellow.
Yellow card Yohan Cabaye
45' +3
Great defending by Djilobodji, sliding in in the penalty area, denies Cabaye a shooting chance on goal. A fine effort from the Sunderland defender, who hasn't had the easiest afternoon so far.
45' +2
Townsend whips a left-footed strike towards the top corner, but it bends wide of the target.
45' +1
Andros Townsend is adept at finding space on the edge of the box and unleashing powerful strikes on goal, but Jan Kirchhoff's clever positional play has denied him that opportunity today, blocking a strike on goal. But Kirchhoff then gives a free-kick away in dangerous territory, just over 25 yards out.
45'
It all gets a bit scrappy as Ledley fires a ball into the Sunderland area, but they eventually clear.
Three added minutes at the end of the first period, with Sunderland leading 1-0 through a Jermain Defoe strike.
Can Palace respond to that Defoe opener and find a way back into the game?
Palace, in their changed all-yellow strip, get this second half underway...
43'
A promising Sunderland counter results with a cross by Manquillo across goal towards Defoe, but it just too close to Mandanda who is able to gather it.
42'
CHANCE! A fantastic arrowed corner by Puncheon finds Benteke, who heads it back towards goal towards Delaney, but he cannot stretch and turn it goalwards. A let-off for Sunderland.
40'
Suddenly the home crowd are in fine voice and Sunderland almost create another opportunity, but Watmore cannot get his footing in the penalty area, and his shot is blocked.
Going back to that Defoe goal, you do have to wonder just what Joe Ledley was doing. Mandanda's pass to him wasn't the best, but Ledley's decision to fire the ball back into his own area was not the wisest. Sunderland fans will not care though, and they have a cherished advantage.
39'
J. Defoe has scored a goal for Sunderland!
GOOOOOOOOAL FOR SUNDERLAND! A terrible error by Joe Ledley leads to the opener. He takes a Mandanda pass under pressure, but then fires a terrible ball back towards his own defenders, only for it to find Jermain Defoe. He rarely misses when presented with such an opportunity, and he slots it beyond Mandanda for Sunderland's first of the afternoon.
37'
Comical defending from Sunderland here, as they dither on the ball, before Djilobodji fires a much-too powerful pass to Kone, who can only knock it into touch. David Moyes is not impressed on the touchline.
36'
A snapshot from Cabaye on the edge of the area is always curling away from goal and Pickford is unconcerned.
35'
A promising Sunderland counter attack ends as Januzaj's pass to Ndong is underhit and Palace can mop up the threat.
34'
A spot of controversy here as Cabaye goes down in a heap after a challenge from Ndong. Sunderland players surround the referee, as Cabaye stays on the deck,but the only result is a Palace free-kick.
33'
The pace of the game has dropped again after that flurry of chances. A ball by Cattermole, attempting to find the run of Defoe behind the Palace backline, is brought back as Defoe is flagged offside.
32'
Frustration from the home crowd as a promising attack is cut short when Manquillo's poor touch lets the ball dribble out for a Palace throw.
29'
A silly foul from Kirchhoff results in a free-kick in dangerous territory for Palace. Townsend whips it into the box with his left foot towards the far post, but Sunderland are able to clear.
28'
Straight down the other end and Benteke's effort is clutched down low by Pickford. Suddenly this game has come to life.
27'
CHANCE! A delightful chipped ball into the area from the impressive Puncheon eventually finds Townsend. The winger dazzles Manquillo with his stepovers, cuts inside on his right-foot into the area, but his shot is wild and spears far wide of Pickford's post.
CHANCE FOR SUNDERLAND! By far Sunderland's best move of the game almost results in the opener. A nice Januzaj pass feeds the onrushing van Aanholt, whose excellent cross into the box is flicked neatly across goal by Defoe, only for it to drift just past the post.
26'
Sunderland are frequently opting to go long in possession, which seems a peculiar tactic when their primary target is the diminuitive Defoe. Another attempt is easily dealt with by Delaney.
24'
Palace almost create an opportunity as Puncheon wriggles free of Manquillo and crosses to Benteke who tries to get infront of Djilobodji, but the former Chelsea man does enough to put him off and the ball goes over the bar.
23'
Neat interchanges in midfield lead to Cabaye finding some space and drifting a lovely ball into the area, which Manquillo inexplicably turns behind despite being in little danger. Puncheon's corner is headed clear by Ndong.
22'
McArthur wins the ball in midfield and feeds Cabaye, but his weighted pass to Benteke is underhit and Djilobodji can clear.
21'
He's back on the field and looks able to continue.
Now Januzaj is down, and David Moyes will not want to be forced into a second early substitution. It's been a game of few clear opportunities so far, but Sunderland have had much of the play, largely due to his threat.
20'
Townsend can get a cross in down the other end, but his effort towards the back post is cleared by Sunderland.
19'
Only a couple of minutes after his introduction, but it's easy to see why Watmore is a favourite of the Stadium of Light faithful. He evades Ward with a clever turn and then powers through to the byline but he cannot create an opportunity for the hosts.
18'
Januzaj glides past Townsend, but his cross is rushed and easily blocked, much to the frustration of the home support.
17'
The newly introduced Watmore leaps high to win a header, exchanges passes with Januzaj and then fires a fierce cross across goal which can only be cleared behind. The subsequent corner is easily dealt with. A solid early impression by the young substitute.
16'
A cross into the Sunderland area is dealt with poorly by Djilobodji, whose weak header can only find Benteke. But the Belgian striker cannot get a strike in on goal.
15'
D. Watmore enters the game and replaces S. Pienaar.
Pienaar is replaced by Duncan Watmore in a straight swap.
14'
Pienaar is down clutching his hamstring, and it doesn't look like he will be able to continue here. An early blow for Sunderland, as the winger has started the game well.
12'
CHANCE! A Cabaye cross is scrambled behind for a Palace corner. Puncheon hangs it up to Benteke on the edge of the area, who smartly brings it down, spins and fires on goal, but his strike sails over the bar. The away side are beginning to threaten.
11'
First attempt on goal of the game and it's through Christian Benteke, who rises high to meet a Puncheon cross, but is header is straight down Pickford's throat.
A period of Palace possession ends when they are forced to play it back to their goalkeeper, and Ndong then makes his presence felt with a strong tackle on Kelly.
9'
Januzaj finds space for his first opportunity to run at the Palace defence, and he does find Manquillo this time, but his cross is cleared. Van Aanholt picks it up on the other flank but his cross is also hacked to safety. Sunderland look the brighter in these early stages.
7'
It looks a mismatch with Defoe up against Delaney and Tomkins, but the former England international is holding the ball up well in the early stages. This time Januzaj picks up the loose ball, but he cannot find Manquillo's run.
6'
Ward clatters into the back of Pienaar, and Sunderland take the subsequent free-kick quickly to van Aanholt, who almost steals in on the left byline, but Ward recovers in time.
4'
A lucky midfield deflection sees Pienaar scamper into a threatening position and find van Aanholt on the overlap, but the attack quickly breaks down and Palace are able to clear.
Straight down the other end and Palace threaten for the first time in the game. Djilobodji dithers on the ball inside his own area, allowing Benteke to capitalise, but he cannot find a teammate. Cabaye picks up the rebound and tries a cross, but it's blocked and there is no threat on Pickford's goal.
3'
It's been a scrappy start here as both sides try to find their way into the game. Jordan Pickford is hurried into a clearance as Sunderland try to build from the back.
2'
It's been a high tempo start from the hosts, constantly pressing Palace's backline and putting them under pressure. Defoe is the latest to charge down a Delaney clearance, but it goes out for a Palace throw.
1'
Sunderland get us underway...
Sunderland have the first attack of the game through Papy Djilobodji, as his raking long pass is headed out for a throw.
Hello and welcome to the live text commentary of this afternoon’s Premier League contest between Sunderland and Crystal Palace from the Stadium of Light. This fixture pits together two teams who have enjoyed very different recent runs of form, with the home side still seeking their first league win under David Moyes, and Palace looking for their third consecutive Premier League victory to propel them further up the table.
Sunderland enjoyed a morale boosting 2-1 win over QPR in the League Cup on Wednesday night, but Moyes’ side are yet to enjoy that winning feeling in the Premier League this year as the new manager struggles to make an impact. He said his side showed some good signs in a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in their last league fixture, but Black Cats supporters will be looking for a good performance and three points this afternoon.
The omens are not great for Sunderland this afternoon. They’ve failed to beat Crystal Palace at home in the Premier League, and haven’t won any of their previous 24 league fixtures contested in August or September. They’ll have to perform better in the final third if they are to overcome that poor record, having only scored three times during their opening five games, but they may find Palace more accommodating visitors, with the Eagles yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season.
Alan Pardew will be hoping for another successful trip to the north-east after his side beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in their last visit to the region. A thumping 4-1 victory over Stoke last weekend saw Palace rise to eighth, and another win at the Stadium of Light would represent their best run of league form for over a year. Palace were dumped out of the League Cup by Southampton midweek, but their supporters will soon forget about that with another strong showing on Wearside.
TEAM NEWS: Sunderland revert back to their familiar line-up, after making a host of changes for the League Cup in midweek. There is just one change from the side that was defeated 1-0 by Tottenham last weekend, with Patrick van Aanholt replacing Jason Denayer. Paddy McNair, who scored twice against QPR, only makes the bench. Jermain Defoe is fit and leads the line, alongside Adnan Januzaj and Steven Pienaar.
After also giving several key players a rest midweek, Crystal Palace make two changes from the side which thrashed Stoke, both forced by injuries to Scott Dann and Wilfried Zaha. Damien Delaney and Yohan Cabaye are drafted in as replacements. Record signing Christian Benteke again starts as a lone striker, with Jason Puncheon and Andros Townsend offering support from the flanks.
We're around 15 minutes from kick-off here at the Stadium of Light, and the anticipation is rising ahead of this game.
The two sets of sides are in the tunnel, and we're just a few moments away from the start of this Premier League clash. Can Sunderland claim their first win of the campaign? Or will it be three on the bounce for Crystal Palace?
The half-time whistle blows and Sunderland lead Crystal Palace 1-0 thanks to Jermain Defoe's strike.
We'll be back in around 15 minutes for live coverage of the second half.
There hasn't been much between the two sides in truth, and it took a mistake from Palace's Joe Ledley to create the opening goal. His terrible pass fed Defoe, who accepted the invitation and slotted beneath Mandanda. Otherwise chances have been few and far between, with both sides struggling to create in the final third. Alan Pardew will want much more from Benteke in the second period.
A penny for David Moyes' thoughts? After Jermain Defoe's second midway through the second half, it looked like he would finally have his first win as Sunderland boss. But goals from Ledley, McArthur and Benteke deep in injury time gave Palace the unlikeliest of victories. Sunderland remain winless and rooted in the bottom three, whereas Palace have won three Premier League games on the bounce. What an incredible game.
The full-time whistle blows and that late Benteke header has given Crystal Palace a 3-2 win over Sunderland here at the Stadium of Light.
The players are coming back out onto the pitch and the second half will shortly be underway here at the Stadium of Light.
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