Ched Evans has a flap of loose shirt hanging from a rip in his top. Just evidence of the rough treatment he's had today.

Alan Browne does brilliantly to keep a long-ball forward for Preston in play on the byline and knocks it back.

However, the North End workhorse's efforts are in vain as the Sunderland defence scrambles back to clear and Aji Alese does well to block Brad Potts cross and win the throw.

Dan Neil takes Sunderland upfield and into Preston North End territory with a direct run.

He finds Alex Pritchard, but his cross is dealt with by the visitors.

A sequence of play that sums up Preston's fortunes has just occurred.

Mads Frokjaer has time to curl in a cross, it's stubbed with the first touch by Alan Browne back to Ali McCann, who drives his shot straight at teammate Ched Evans.

Sunderland clear.

Preston just cannot get that foothold.

Some of the Sunderland fans, perhaps enjoying the relative comfort of a 2-0 lead here, have turned their attention to singing about Saturday's derby against Newcastle in the FA Cup.

"If you hate Newcastle clap your hands," one such chant.

Preston give them notice they're still here, as Liam Millar hares after a long-ball through that keeps Anthony Patterson alert as he scrambles to smother.

Image source, Getty Images

Lovely work from Preston North End releases Brad Potts down the right from a fine pass by Jordan Storey.

Potts sweeps in, it's cleared but the low shot from the edge of the box is straight at Anthony Patterson.

Disappointing effort in the end.

Fine break by Sunderland between Trai Hume and Alex Pritchard results in the latter crossing, but Brad Potts head away.

Nazariy Rusyn gets it back, but can't find a dangerous pass and Sunderland instead retain possession with Preston defensively locked up.

Dan Ballard bundles Alan Browne in the back to give North End a free-kick on the right side, midway into the Sunderland half.

Ben Whiteman is behind it, swings it in but it's turned away by Jack Clarke on the edge of the 18-yard box.

Luke O'Nien clears a cross too. Preston foiled.

Image source, Getty Images

Gary Bennett
Ex-Sunderland defender on BBC Radio Newcastle

Preston are posing a little bit of a threat now. They've got nothing to lose.

Liam Millar has Anthony Patterson scrambling low to his near post to smother.

Before that, Preston saw Brad Potts' shot blocked by Aji Alese after Millar's cross worked its way through to him

There's more enterprise from North End.

Ched Evans outmuscles Jobe Bellingham and leaves the Sunderland midfielder on the deck - but illegally, says Oliver Langford.

The Preston striker carries their attacking hopes as the one out-and-out forward, but he's not had a lot of service.

Preston enjoy some early possession in the second half.

Sunderland's goal just before half-time has raised the stakes, and now the visitors must force the issue.

Brad Potts tries to pick out Ched Evans' positive run, but his touch takes it away and the home defence can win a goal-kick.

Players back out.

Oliver Langford toots on the whistle, and we're up and running again with Preston in possession.

Just a reminder, this is just the start of a new year's day of EFL delights.

After this, we've the 15:00 GMT kick-offs and we'll finish with the West Riding-East Riding dust up that is Sheffield Wednesday against Hull City at 17:15 GMT.

(I know it's South Yorkshire v East Yorkshire but I like the old ridings...)

Gary Bennett
Ex-Sunderland defender on BBC Radio Newcastle

That will do the team a world of good.

Nazariy Rusyn made runs into the channels and stretched Preston.

Image source, PA Media

Here's that second goal right before half-time that really put the Black Cats in charge of this one.

Nazariy Rusyn showing typical striker's instincts to nip in front of the defender to deepen Preston's woes.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Michael Beale's Sunderland are up and running in 2024 after two terrific goals have given them a half-time lead over Preston North End.

Alex Pritchard's swerving screamer and a superb counter-attack goal from Nazariy Rusyn are the difference at half-time.

The opener came just as Preston were showing some signs of menace, and certainly helped turn the game the home side's way.

At 1-0, Preston were certainly competitive. It's not game over quite yet, but Ryan Lowe's side are definitely up against it now against a Sunderland side buoyed on home turf.

That's a real dagger to Preston hearts, that goal.

One minute they were on the attack, the next they're 2-0 down.

But it just shows how useful Sunderland are going forward. Their youth brings plenty of pace with it.

Gary Bennett
Ex-Sunderland defender on BBC Radio Newcastle

Finally!

Great play again from Jack Clarke. He could have gone down, fair play to the referee for not stopping play.

Nazariy Rusyn got across the defender, got his foot to it, and it's a well-deserved goal.