Follow live coverage as Sheffield United face Sunderland in the Championship today.
An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season.
Relegation from the top flight last term means Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United are all back in the second tier this term and will be expected to push for play-off spots again at least, but so too will Norwich City, an improving Coventry and beaten play-off finalists Leeds United. At the other end of the table, Wayne Rooney is aiming to revive Plymouth’s fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation last year, with Portsmouth and Derby the teams promoted from League One along with play-off final winners Oxford.
Follow live updates from today’s game in the live blog below.
Sheffield United FC 1 - 0 Sunderland AFC
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
16:15Corner,Sunderland. Conceded by Hamza Choudhury.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
16:15Attempt blocked. Romaine Mundle (Sunderland) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
16:14Corner,Sunderland. Conceded by Anel Ahmedhodzic.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
16:11Second Half begins Sheffield United 1, Sunderland 0.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:55First Half ends, Sheffield United 1, Sunderland 0.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:54Offside, Sunderland. Dennis Cirkin is caught offside.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:54Attempt saved. Chris Rigg (Sunderland) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Michael Cooper (Sheffield United).
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:49Corner,Sunderland. Conceded by Vinicius Souza.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:49Fourth official has announced 8 minutes of added time.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:46Dan Ballard (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:42Offside, Sunderland. Romaine Mundle is caught offside.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:38VAR Checking: Sheffield United Goal (Harrison Burrows).
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:36Goal! Sheffield United 2, Sunderland 0. Harrison Burrows (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box following a corner.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:40Offside, Sheffield United. Vinicius Souza is caught offside.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:35Corner,Sheffield United. Conceded by Chris Mepham.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:33Foul by Romaine Mundle (Sunderland).
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:29Attempt missed. Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:27Goal! Sheffield United 1, Sunderland 0. Tyrese Campbell (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Gustavo Hamer following a fast break.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:26Corner,Sunderland. Conceded by Harrison Burrows.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:24Offside, Sheffield United. Tyrese Campbell is caught offside.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:22Vinicius Souza (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:22Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:19Corner,Sunderland. Conceded by Hamza Choudhury.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:18Attempt blocked. Tyrese Campbell (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:15Foul by Hamza Choudhury (Sheffield United).
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:13Foul by Dan Neil (Sunderland).
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:13Harrison Burrows (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:13Hand ball by Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United).
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:11Substitution, Sunderland. Chris Mepham replaces Luke O'Nien because of an injury.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:10Offside, Sheffield United. Tyrese Campbell is caught offside.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:10Attempt blocked. Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:08Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:04Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:05Delay in match because of an injury Luke O'Nien (Sunderland).
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:05Attempt saved. Kieffer Moore (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Anthony Patterson (Sunderland). Assisted by Gustavo Hamer with a cross.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
15:02First Half begins.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
14:31Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
13:15Follow live football coverage with The Independent today.
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