Image source, Rex Features

One aspect of Sunderland's play that will please Simon Grayson is the fact his wingers are back covering.

Aiden McGeady cleared one a moment ago from around his own box.

Derby waste a free-kick. They can afford to right now. Quarter of an hour to the break.

Everyone loves a talented homegrown teenage striker making his mark.

Nottingham Forest's Ben Brereton shows his quality with a classy turn and effort on goal that is blocked. That's got the City Ground going. They really needed it too. It's been all Millwall after a bright first few minutes by the hosts.

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Black Cats just cranking up their intensity now. Another set-piece from the right bounced teasingly loose in the Derby box, but no Sunderland player could get a touch to it.

Good pressure, Derby are coping though.

It's still all Millwall. If this carries on then they will find the net soon surely.

Jed Wallace is the provider of the latest chance, finding Aiden O'Brien who, after a fine turn, forces an excellent save from Forest keeper Jordan Smith.

And it really is an excellent low save. Wallace is playing a blinder. O'Brien should have a couple of goals.

Steve Morison hit the bar earlier as well, if you recall.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

WOW. Brilliant save Scott Carson. From a close-range half-volley walloped by one of those beautifully simple black boots worn by Lee Cattermole. Sunderland corner.

There's something pleasingly old-school about Lee Cattermole the Sunderland captain. Tucked in shirt and black, 'no messin' boots. He's probably spent all summer dubbing them.

Didier Ndong seems to be influential for the home side, playing at the base of midfield in a quarterback sort of role.

Sunderland get a free-kick, dangerous position, left side of the Derby penalty area.

Returning Derby midfielder Tom Huddlestone has a rasper of a shot on him and he almost smashed one past Jason Steele there, who spilled the shot before defying the onrushing Chris Martin on the rebound. Tyias Browning deserves credit too.

Then Sunderland go up the other end and get the ball into George Honeyman but he's swarmed to safety.

Sunderland find themselves in a decent position in sight of the Derby goal, but Billy Jones' cross sails through to the far post and is cleared away.

When the ball comes back Richard Keogh does a passable impression of a unsteady toddler and tumbles to the deck.

Aiden McGeady seems to be the target out on the Sunderland left, but he's not had too much joy so far.

Millwall's direct approach is proving tough to defend against. Some intelligent long passes and some agricultural up and unders are causing all sorts of problems to the home defence.

Forest are trying to stick to their possession football, but aren't seeing as much of the ball as they would like just now.

And bang on cue Aiden O'Brien has missed a sitter, sending his effort over from six yards from Conor McLaughlin's cross. The Lions should be leading.

Image source, Rex Features

Credit to the Rams, they soaked up pressure from a pumped up home side and then struck on the break. Classic away team tactic executed to perfection.

They're around the Sunderland box again before Lamine Kone gets the ball clear. Nervy times for the Black Cats. Mojo needs to be rediscovered and quick.

Steve Morison has just clattered the crossbar from six yards for Millwall.

The visitors' direct approach is a threat and they were pressing for a couple of minutes leading to a corner which ended with Morison wasting a great chance from Jake Cooper's header.

Lee Gregory also fires a shot over the bar. The Lions are well on top at the minute.

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Winger Barrie McKay could well be a player to get Nottingham Forest fans excited.

He's impressed in pre-season after joining from Rangers and has plenty of pace and trickery about him. He's started well. Millwall will need to keep him in check.

Brilliant ball by Lewis Grabban plays in George Honeyman and his ball to the back post almost picks out Aiden McGeady but Andre Wisdom blocks brilliantly.

Sunderland buzzing. Derby under the cosh.

Sunderland look up for this, they're hunting Derby down in packs and pressing well.

The battle between Lamine Kone - the Wearsiders centre-half - and Derby striker Chris Martin is one to keep an eye on. Two man-mountains going head to head.

Brendan Galloway wins a corner for Sunderland after a burst down the left... danger signs for the Rams!

Scramble in the box... another corner.

Image source, Rex Features

Forest have had the better of things so far, having decent amounts of possession and forcing Millwall to do a fair bit chasing around.

But Millwall have the first real chance, George Saville shooting into the side netting from a tight angle.

Tom Evans: Think it's to hard to call who will go up. Going to be another tight season. Hopefully #swfc will do it this year.

Matt Price: Don't rule out either of the Sheffield sides. Wednesday will not miss out a third time whilst United may be a surprise package.

Stuie Neale: Swindon promotion back to League One, I hope!

This is no dig at Sunderland's supporters, but there are a fair few empty seats at the Stadium of Light.

They've been used to a diet of Premier League football so no surprises that the Championship doesn't quite have the same appeal.

Bright start from the hosts though, they've been in Derby territory a fair bit already without truly challenging.

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After a perfectly observed minute's applause, with the name of Bradley Lowery ringing around the Stadium of Light, the season for these two teams is finally under way.

Oliver Langford draws on his whistle. Sunderland in red and white, Derby in a less than traditional fluorescent yellow.

The home team have first touch of the ball.

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