Two minutes of added time goes up on the board as the fans at Selhurst Park are treated to another shocking miss. This time, Lee Cattermole sprays the ball out to Patrick van Aanholt, putting him clear on goal but he gets his touch all wrong and has to settle for a corner.

Good skill from Wilfried Zaha on the right, bamboozling Patrick van Aanholt with his footwork before crossing into the area. Sunderland head away but the ball eventually falls to Yohan Cabaye, lurking on the edge of the box. He toe pokes well, well wide, though. A shocking effort and he knows it, holding his head in his hands.

You said it...

Speaking of set-pieces Palace have another corner, which Yohan Cabaye swings in high and to the edge of the area, the ball is hooked back in but Sunderland clear. Poor.

Image source, .

Crystal Palace have been strong from set-pieces this season, but not in this match. 

I've counted three corners they've had and at least one free-kick in a dangerous position and they've failed to do anything from any of them.

Oohs and ahhs as a bit of pinball plays out in the Sunderland area. 

Yannick Bolasie hooks a ball across the face of goal for Wilfried Zaha, who races in at the far post and heads back across to Bolasie, who then shoots wide. The offside flag is up anyway for Zaha.

Image source, Reuters

Massive cheer, the biggest of the night so far in fact, as Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey belts a clearance up, over the roof and out of the stadium.

Image source, Reuters

Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

That's better from Crystal Palace! James McArthur spots a bit of space in Sunderland's defence and drives forward, fizzing a shot at goal but Costel Pantilimon clutches the ball above his head.

The fact that Jonathan  Pearce and Steve Claridge are currently discussing each other's health tells you all you need to know about the action on the pitch at the moment. None-existent, but Sunderland will be happy with things at the moment.

Praise indeed...

Image source, PA

Sunderland have undoubtedly come the closest to scoring in this game - but they have also been mindful to defend in numbers, as this graphic illustrates. Seven players, very much in a line.

Image source, Opta

...Sebastian Larsson rolls the free-kick to the edge of the area for the unmarked Billy Jones but his shot is charged down and Crystal Palace survive. 

Penalty? Jermain Defoe tumbles just inside the area, the away end shouts for a spot kick, but replays show that the striker was fouled just outside the area.

Free-kick, and a good chance for Sunderland here...

Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Opta

The graphic shows number six Lee Cattermole finding team-mate Jermain Defoe (18) with a pass. The ex-Tottenham striker was unable to provide the finishing touch a few minutes ago.

Counter-attacking football is the order of the day for Sunderland, and it has been reasonably effective so far.

Confident then?

Postpublished at 16 mins

16 mins

Crystal Palace 0-0 Sunderland

Nasty. John O'Shea and Yannick Bolasie both go for the ball and end up clashing heads. Bolasie is made of strong stuff as he quickly shakes it off. O'Shea takes a little longer but is eventually up off the floor and good to go. It was a fairly heavy contact but both do seem OK.

Image source, Getty Images

First shot on target as Yannick Bolasie has a go from distance, low and hard but straight at Costel Pantilimon in the Sunderland goal.