Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland, who've been awful this season it's fair to say, have been playing quite well in this first half.

There's a break in play as Matt Targett receives some treatment for what looks like an ankle injury. He limps off with his left boot off and this first half is going from bad to worse for Fulham.

Image source, Rex Features

There's stepovers, chipped clearances and, dare I say it, samba-style football from Sunderland, who've not looked in much danger of conceding an equaliser since Joel Asoro's opener.

Can't quite believe what I'm seeing.

Tom Cairney plays through Ryan Sessegnon on the corner of the 18-yard line but he cannot control the ball on a slippy surface.

A chance wasted for the hosts.

There are sarcastic cheers from the travelling Sunderland support - who have not stopped singing all night, by the way - as they pass the ball about with ease.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Lucas Piazon tries his luck with a shot that bounces just outside the upright.

Jeers from the Fulham supporters as Ryan Fredericks is judged to have committed a foul as he latched on to an excellent through ball from Lucas Piazon.

We're just past halfway through the first half and Fulham are in control.

Ryan Fredericks finds some space with the ball and charges into the Sunderland box while beating Marc Wilson, before unleashing a shot at an acute angle that flies narrowly wide.

Fulham definitely more at ease in this first half now.

A Fulham corner sails into the box, Ryan Sessegnon finds himself unmarked at the far post but he flashes it across goal and Sunderland hastily clear it away.

The hosts are slowly finding their way in this match.

Image source, Getty Images

It's hardly been an entertaining opening quarter of an hour or so but credit to Sunderland, and their noisy travelling support, the relegated visitors have played quite well so far.

Ashley Fletcher tries his luck with a long-range drive, but it's wide of the mark.

It's a very slick surface at a wet and drizzly Craven Cottage this evening. Lucas Piazon goes in for a tackle on George Honeyman and brings down his team-mate Kevin McDonald in the process, leaving the trio in a heap.

Lovely.

And just as I said that, Joel Asoro fires just wide of the mark from outside the box and the visitors win a corner.

It's a poor one, though, and it's comfortably dealt with by Fulham. The tension around Craven Cottage eases slightly.

We've gone 10 whole minutes in this game and neither side has registered a single shot on goal.

Fulham have dominated possession, however, and they seem more likely to make the first breakthrough.

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You can sense how much the Fulham fans would love a goal from this chap.

Can Aleksandar Mitrovic bag a 14th goal since joining Fulham on loan from Newcastle United and make it a whopping 16 consecutive games where Slavisa Jokanovic's side have scored first?

"Cardiff City, we're coming for you!" sing the Fulham fans.

It's early days, but as it stands, the Cottagers are second in the Championship table on goal difference.

Tom Cairney is caught on the head by Sunderland midfielder Ethan Robson's knee and he's in a fair bit of discomfort inside the first two minutes of this game.

Ouch. He's back on his feet, however, and play continues.

This is not a drill, football is happening. Fulham get us under way.

Although rights restrictions prevent us from streaming live audio commentary of tonight's match, you are still able to listen on the wireless if you can tune in locally to BBC Radio London or BBC Newcastle.

You can click here for the complete list of BBC local radio stations and frequencies.

Image source, Rex Features

Here come the players. We are mere moments away from some second-tier footballing action.

I am psyched.

Image source, Rex Features

Right then, here's the big question I want to know the answer to...

Who's going to win promotion to the Premier League automatically alongside champions Wolves this season?

Do you fancy Cardiff? What about Fulham? Or could Aston Villa steal it at the last minute? Let us know by using #bbcefl on social media.

Sunderland boss Chris Coleman makes three changes from the side that were defeated by Burton Albion as Ethan Robson, Ovie Ejaria and Joel Asoro come in for Lee Cattermole, Aiden McGeady and Callum McManaman.

Sunderland: Steele, Jones, McNair, Fletcher, O'Shea, Kone, Honeyman, Robson, Asoro, Wilson, Ejaria.

Subs: Lualua, Camp, McManaman, Maja, Matthews, Clarke-Salter, Mumba.