The threat from both sides is mostly coming from the left flank, especially in Sunderland's case as you can see from the graphic on the left.

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On the stroke of half-time, Patrick van Aanholt is through on goal but has a shot blocked by Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes. Van Aanholt looked offside but wasn't flagged. That is the last action of the first half.

Sunderland fans reckon they've been on the wrong end of most decisions in the first half and give ref Bobby Madley a huge cheer when he books Watford's Valon Behrami for a foul on Adnan Januzaj.

Watford substitute Christian Kabasele goes down after challenging Victor Anichebe and the referee halts play which doesn't go down too well with the home fans. 

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Adnan Januzaj slips a ball through to Fabio Borini and he has the awareness to play a backheel for Jermain Defoe. It would have been a nice move but Defoe just didn't have the pace to get on the end of Borini's pass. 

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Watford might have more injury concerns as striker Troy Deeney is limping and looks to be struggling.

Adnan Januzaj is the first player into ref Bobby Madley's book as he's yellow carded for pulling back Valon Behrami.  

Watford are forced into an early change as defender Sebastian Prodl is replaced by Christian Kabasele. 

Victor Anichebe makes a powerful run into the box from the left wing before having a shot blocked.

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Watford win a free-kick on their right side and Miguel Britos has a great chance as he jumps highest at the far post but glances a header wide from two yards.

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Sunderland give their fans some encouragement as Jermain Defoe has a shot which is blocked by Miguel Britos.

Watford look the more threatening. Hornets left-back Jose Holebas delievers a low cross into the Sunderland area and right-back Donald Love gets a vital touch to deflect the ball away from Odion Ighalo as it rolls across the Black Cats goalmouth and out for a corner.

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Troy Deeney is through on goal and, instead of shooting, he tries to cut the ball back for fellow striker Odion Ighalo but it's a poor pass and Sunderland clear. Deeney has been stuck on 99 goals since 1 October and that was the action of a man lacking confidence.

Kevin Kilbane
Former Everton and Sunderland winger on Football Focus

David Moyes wanted more money in the last window and it looks like the money won't be there again in January, and it looks like the owner Ellis Short wants to sell. 

There are a lot of difficulties for Moyes. He needed to get back in the game but the task is huge. I firmly believe he is the right man and can keep them up.

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Fans at the Stadium of Light rise and applaud for Bradley Lowery, the five-year-old Sunderland supporter with terminal cancer. 

A fast start to the game with a corner at both ends of the pitch inside a minute. Sunderland have the first and Papy Djilobodji has a header saved.

From Watford's corner Nordin Amrabat ends up having a shot from the edge of the area and Black Cats keeper Jordan Pickford has to tip the ball over at full stretch.

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There was a minute's silence before kick-off at the Stadium of Light for supporters and former players who have passed away this year.

Robert Madley from West Yorkshire then gets the game under way... 

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Watford head coach Walter Mazzarri on Troy Deeney, who has been stuck on 99 goals for the club for nine matches: "These are moments that can happen for a forward to have in his career.

"He was unlucky last week because he had chances to score and didn't. Maybe he's feeling the pressure of these 100 goals but for us it's just important he plays for the team and then scores.

"I'm not sure if it will be good for him to have had a rest or not, we will see."

Image source, Reuters