Nobody can doubt Glen Johnson's attacking intent. 

The Stoke right-back (number eight) is one of their most attacking players as this average positions map shows. 

His Sunderland counterpart, DeAndre Yedlin (number 24), hasn't had a chance to get going at all.

Image source, Opta

Jonathan Walters is denied by the legs of Costel Pantilimon! 

A brilliant, low, drilled cross from the left and all Walters needed was a touch to divert it. Unfortunately for him, Pantilimon's anticipation and reflexes were spot on. 

Best chance of the game.

That is a real blow for Sunderland.

How will they cope without their top scorer? It looked like goals were going be hard enough to come by anyway, with him on the pitch. 

Stoke haven't conceded for four games...

Jermain Defoe is off. He looked to be fading in the last few minutes and he cannot continue.

Duncan Watmore is on to replace him..

Image source, Reuters

Sunderland with their first corner of the game too now, which is dealt with by Stoke. 

There could be a problem with Jermain Defoe after all though...

The first corner of the game is whipped in by Xherdan Shaqiri. 

Once again it's cleared, and when they nick it back Yann M'Vila does really well to recycle possession under pressure. 

It's very back and forth right now, with little penetration.

Possession is looking a lot more even now to how it did after those first 15 minutes or so. 

Sunderland have improved since a poor start, and Jermain Defoe has come closest to finding the net. 

Image source, .

More patient stuff from Stoke but Sunderland are well drilled at the back. 

The away side have Bojan, Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri to move the ball quickly in front of goal but none can find the opening. 

"None shall pass", from the Black Cats.

Panic over Sunderland fans. Jermain Defoe limped off but is more than happy to bounce back on. 

All he needed was a little rub. 

That seems to have woken Stoke up a bit. 

Here's Xherdan Shaqiri driving at the Sunderland back four, playing in Jonathan Walters out wide. 

His cross is blocked. Down the other end, Jermain Defoe is down. Looks like it's his left thigh that's giving him trouble and the physio is on...   

Somebody shoot! Sunderland are lining up on the edge of the box but you can always rely on one man to shoot on sight - Jermain Defoe. 

He drives one low, which zips just wide of Jack Butland's right stick. He was a goner. 

Very, very close indeed. 

Image source, .

This is a much better spell from Sunderland. 

Finally a bit of possession - and when they do give it away, the pressure is on straight away, forcing Stoke into an error. 

Sam Allardyce will be much happier with this.

Ooh! That is a lovely move from Sunderland though. 

Steven Fletcher flicks one over the top of the Stoke defence, but it's just too long and zips away from Jermain Defoe, into the arms of Jack Butland. 

Full marks for artistry.

In fact, they've had this much of it.

Image source, .

Stoke are looking the more dangerous here though. 

Younes Kaboul has to dive in to cut out a cross from the left, and you just feel their patient build-up play might bring the first goal - as opposed to Sunderland catching them with a quick break.

The home side have barely had the ball so far.

Another chance for Sunderland to counter as Stoke's intricate passing is cut short. 

It's their best move of the match so far but in the end Steven Fletcher's shot - hurried from an unappealing angle - is easily gathered by Jack Butland.

The first on target.

A chance for Sunderland to break is missed.

Marko Arnuatovic goes down looking for a free-kick - seemingly forgetting about the actual football - and Stoke can play it up field to Jermain Defoe. 

Instead of long over the top though - where he wants it - it's low and is intercepted easily. Defoe wheels his arms in frustration.

A few empty seats on show at the Stadium of Light today. 

The home side have their first foray forward as Patrick van Aanholt takes a heavy touch in the corner. 

In his defence the surface does look sticky.

Huge pressure on Lee Cattermole straight away from the impish Xherdan Shaqiri - he really harried him. 

The Sunderland man does well to keep the ball and turn with it, but his side soon give it away. 

Mark Hughes' side straight out of the traps. 

And we are under way.