A hearty round of applause as the Hull players return from their tactical masterclass and slice of orange.

They need to win. Can they find a breakthrough?

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With Swansea playing in the late game Hull could do with a goal. A goal which would make Big Sam's trip home even worse...

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Leon Osman
Ex-Everton midfielder at KCOM Stadium for 5 live Sport

At times this game's falling flat, with neither side creating much through movement. 

The Hull fans and possibly also the players were expecting to turn up today and turn Sunderland over. But the Black Cats have not come here just to be beaten, they have put in a shift and Hull simply haven't yet broken them down.

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Time for a breather.

If Victor Anichebe had a little more confidence then Sunderland could be ahead. A ball into the Hull box is only partially cleared to the burly striker, who tamely sidefoots straight at Eldin Jakupovic.

Tick-tock. Heading towards the half-time break. I'm gagging for a brew.

John O'Shea hasn't scored since December 2013 - this is probably as close as he has gone. A Sunderland corner is whipped in from the right, which the Irishman meets with a glancing header. Hull keeper Eldin Jakupovic is furious he was given so much space.

Just the two shots on target so far and they have both gone to Hull. In fact, they have both gone to Sam Clucas (11).

Image source, Opta

Another half chance for Hull. Andrew Robertson marauds forwards, curling a firm pass towards Abel Hernandez. But he takes a heavy touch with defenders in front of him and the ball bounces into Jordan Pickford's hands.

That set-piece comes to nothing, cue more noise from the Hull fans - groans. But moments later they are nearly cheering the opening goal.

When Abel Hernandez picks up the ball in the right channel, there looks little danger for Sunderland.

But he switches gears to breeze past Javier Manquillo, skips past another white-shirted defender, then curls a left-foot shot just wide of the far post.

"Is this a library?!" taunt the Sunderland fans. The home fans have been pretty quiet, but they raise the volume when Kamil Grosicki wins a corner.

Ten minutes until the break. Can Hull ramp up the tempo before the half-time pies?

A bit of pinball in the Hull box and the home side reckon it hits one of John O'Shea's flippers.

Not for me. 

Oumar Niasse acrobatically volleys goalwards, with the Sunderland skipper in close attention. He covers his face and blocks it with his arm.

The home fans are baying for blood, as are a few Hull players. Referee Neil Swarbrick is having none of it.

Image source, Reuters

This is pretty dull now. Sorry.

Image source, AFP

We've not seen much of Jermain Defoe today - until now. The Sunderland striker drops off deep, collecting a cut-back before firing a fierce shot at the Hull goal. Wide.

Referee Neil Swarbrick takes his first name of the afternoon. And it is Sam Clucas whose name is scrawled into his notebook. A late, lunging tackle from the Hull midfielder on Didier Ndong deservedly brings his ninth yellow card of the season. He knew.

A desperate spell of pressure for Sunderland in the Hull half. They win a corner, which comes to nothing, but don't force Hull keeper Eldin Jakupovic into a sweat.

Not much in this opening quarter. And the stats prove it...

Image source, #bbcfootball

Hull finally take the game to Sunderland - and immediately create two good chances.

Firstly Jordan Pickford is needed to be at his best to push clear Sam Clucas's fierce low drive, then the away keeper watches Harry Maguire drill another daisy-cutter inches past the left-hand post.

Much better from Hull.

Image source, AFP