Barclays Premier League

FT: SUNDERLAND 0 SWANSEA 0

Swansea show just why they have conceded the fewest goals away from home in the Premier League by keeping Sunderland at arm's length throughout a dreadfully disappointing encounter at the Stadium of Light. Michael Laudrup's side obviously hadn't been out drinking for six days since reaching Wembley in the Capital One Cup, turning in a thoroughly professional display to extend their unbeaten run to seven games. It was, though, a match short of incisive play in the final third of the field. The visitors will feel they should have had a penalty for John O'Shea's tackle on Etey Shechter very early on, though referee Andre Marriner might have been unsighted. Sunderland were better in the second half without really threatening and the clearest chance of the night fell Nathan Dyer's way ten minutes from time, but he shot wide after being teed up by Michu. Substitute Danny Graham also went close in added time against the side who want to buy him.

GRAHAM GOES CLOSE

Swansea go close at the death. Michu cushions a header down to Graham, who sees his close-range shot superbly blocked by Bramble.

TIENDALLI SHOOTS WIDE

Tiendalli cuts in from the right but sees his left-foot shot sail harmlessly wide of the far post. Three added minutes.

CROWD DEMAND MORE

The Sunderland faithful are far from happy at the fare on show tonight. But they're all still in their seats, to be fair to them. This would have sent me scurrying for the exit long ago.

SUNDERLAND SUBSTITUTION

Flores needs treatment after tangling with Fletcher. He's making a meal of that, in all honesty. Conor Wickham replaces the ineffective Adam Johnson for Sunderland.

BAD MISS FROM DYER

Swansea spurn a glorious chance to take the lead. Dyer and Michu combine and the Spaniard tees up Dyer ten yards from goal, but he puts his effort wide of the near post.

BLOCK BY TIENDALLI

A woeful free-kick from Larsson luckily finds its way through to McClean, but he sees his goalbound shot charged down by Tiendalli. Tremmell in the Swansea goal has yet to make a save tonight.

GRAHAM ON FOR SWANSEA

Leon Britton makes way for Danny Graham for Swansea. There are boos all round for Graham, he'll probably change his mind about a move to the North East after that reception.

SUNDERLAND BOOKING

James McClean is rightly cautioned for diving over a tackle from Chico Flores. Well done Mr Marriner.

EASY FOR MIGNOLET

Ki strikes a shot from distance. It is on target, but all along the ground and unless it hit a divot was not going to trouble Mignolet.

O'SHEA SAVES SUNDERLAND

Lamah almost has a goal with his first touch after Larsson gives the ball away, but O'Shea is alert to the danger and just gets across in time to make a saving tackle.

CHANGES FOR BOTH TEAMS

Swansea make another change first, with Roland Lamah coming on for Pablo Hernandez. McClean then replaces Alfred N'Diaye for Sunderland.

PITIFUL EFFORT FROM GARDNER

Sunderland win a free-kick 30 yards from goal, but Gardner scuffs his shot horribly. That prompts Martin O'Neill to look to his bench and James McClean gets ready to enter the fray.

WILLIAMS IN THE WAY

A neat move between Vaughan and Sessegnon looks promising for the home side, but the final pass strikes the heel of Williams with Fletcher waiting to pounce.

SWANSEA SUBSTITUTION

Ki comes on for Shechter as Swansea makes the first change. That means Michu will push further forward. Sunderland beware.

JUST OVER FROM DE GUZMAN

Shechter wins his side a free-kick wide on the right. De Guzman selfishly goes for goal and even though it ends up on the roof of the net, it was never going to trouble Mignolet.

SWANSEA BOOKING

Britton trips Sessegnon near halfway and earns the second yellow card of the night.

CLASH OF STYLES

A champagne moment. Swansea string six lovely short passes together before the ball finds its way to Bramble. The Sunderland defender puts his foot through a clearance and picks out Fletcher 60 yards upfield. Talk about a clash of styles!

BLACK CATS CALL THE TUNE

The softly-spoken Martin O'Neill is not one for shouting, but whatever he said at half-time seems to have done the trick. Sunderland look transformed in the early going after the break.

WISE CHOICE BY TIENDALLI

Just for a split-second, Tiendalli looks tempted to make a rash challenge to halt Johnson's progress. But he wisely stays on his feet and lets the Sunderland winger run it out needlessly for a goal-kick.

IS IT LIVENING UP?

Sessegnon looks up for the fight at the start of this second period. Some trickery from the Benin-born forward wins the home side a corner, but Larsson's delivery doesn't fall kindly for O'Shea.

EARLY SUNDERLAND PROMISE

Sunderland immediately show more menace in the first 60 seconds of the second half than they did in the whole of the first. But a break led by Sessegnon and Fletcher comes to nothing as Chico makes a vital clearance.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Swansea get the second half under way.

HT: SUNDERLAND 0 SWANSEA 0

No goals at the break, which is hardly a surprise. Swansea have been the better side by far and could have had an early penalty after Etey Shechter went down under a clumsy challenge from John O'Shea. The Capital One Cup finalists grew in confidence as the half wore on and dominated possession, their pleasing brand of passing football keeping the home side on the back foot for long periods. Chances, though, have been scarce. Michu saw one effort deflected over the top and Simon Mignolet made a good save at his near post to deny Shechter, though replays suggest it might have hit the post at best. This game could really do with a goal or two (or a shot on target or two) to wake the crowd and the match commentator from their slumbers.

WILLIAMS NEEDS TREATMENT

Michu sees his shot hit the back of O'Shea and deflect wide for a corner as half-time draws near. The corner is only half cleared, but Dyer sees his shot blocked. Ashley Williams needs treatment after getting caught by the arm of O'Shea. He is fine to continue.

GROANS ALL ROUND

Sessegnon takes a tumble over the outstretched foot of Chico and Sunderland have a shooting opportunity, even if it is from 30 yards. Gardner lines up the free-kick, but it would have cleared three sets of goalposts stood one on top of the other.

IN NEED OF A GOAL

Gardner is having a right blast at his own goalkeeper Mignolet for not coming off his line to collect a long ball forward. It's seven attempts to nil in Swansea's favour at present. Total shots on target: one. Yawn.

DEFENCES WELL ON TOP

Agreed, it's a dull match so far, but you can't help but be impressed by how well organised both defences are. It might be worth eyeing up one or two recruits if your fantasy football team is struggling at present. Flores blasts well over in the meantime.

GRAHAM ON THE BENCH

Sunderland target Danny Graham is on the Swansea bench tonight. We haven't seen any cheeky “call me” gestures from Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill in his direction as yet, but the evening is still young. Graham started life in this neck of the woods as a Middlesbrough trainee, remember.

NOTHING DOING FOR FLETCHER

Steven Fletcher is being forced to live off scraps at the moment. The Scotland striker is coming deeper and deeper to receive the ball, such is his eagerness to get involved in the game.

SWANSEA BOOKING

A bad minute for Tiendalli ends with him scything down Johnson and being shown a deserved yellow card. Tremmel beats away Larsson's inswinging free-kick.

TAME STRIKE BY TIENDALLI

Swansea break again and Dyer controls impressively before finding Tiendalli on the overlap down the right. It's a clear shooting opportunity, but the effort lacks the venom to trouble Mignolet and he saves easily.

SHARP SAVE BY MIGNOLET

Swansea are bossing this match. Sunderland fail to clear a left-wing corner and after some nifty footwork from Chico, Shechter ends up seeing his near-post shot pawed round the post by Mignolet.

VITAL BLOCK BY GARDNER

Swansea counter swiftly from a wasted Johnson corner and Hernandez tees up Michu, who sees his angled drive from 12 yards deflected over the bar by Gardner. That was the best chance so far.

NOW DYER SHOOTS OVER

Dyer exchanges passes with Shechter on the edge of the area, but his curling effort from wide on the left sails over the crossbar.

POOR CHOICE BY DAVIES

Swansea are playing some impressive football. A raking ball from De Guzman picks out Davies down the left, but he goes for the Hollywood option and lashes an ambitious shot high into the stands.

PENALTY CLAIMS

Swansea have early claims for a penalty after Shechter goes over under the challenge of O'Shea. There was definite contact, but Mr Marriner turns a blind eye.

SUNDERLAND ON TOP

The wind is howling around the Stadium of Light tonight. Sunderland win an early free-kick. Larsson delivers, but Michu shows he has defensive qualities as well, heading the ball clear.

MICHU IN THE HOLE

Swansea's leading scorer Michu is in his favoured position playing off an out-and-striker, which tonight is Etey Shechter, the Israeli.

HERE WE GO

Sunderland kick off, attacking the goal to our left.

TONIGHT'S TEAMS

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Bramble, O'Shea, Colback, Johnson, N'Diaye, Vaughan, Larsson, Sessegnon, Fletcher. Subs: Westwood, Bardsley, Wickham, Kilgallon, Mangane, McClean, Elmohamady. Swansea: Tremmel, Tiendalli, Williams, Chico, Davies, Dyer, de Guzman, Britton, Hernandez, Shechter, Michu. Subs: Cornell, Bartley, Graham, Lamah, Routledge, Rangel, Ki. Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

TEAM NEWS

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill names the same team that beat Wigan. New loanee Kader Mangane is on the bench for the Black Cats. Michael Laudrup, though, shuffles his pack, making five changes to the side that beat Stoke in the Swans' last league game. In come Tremmel, Flores, Tiendalli, Britton and Dyer. Out go Vorm, Monk, Rangel, Routledge and Ki.

PREVIEW

What a week it has been for Swansea City. Six days ago they reached their first major cup final with a two-legged victory over Chelsea in the Capital One Cup. While the fans in South Wales have been basking in that glory the manager knows that his players need to keep their minds focused on the immediate job in hand, which tonight is a trip to Sunderland in the Premier League. “They are important games for us,” Michael Laudrup told the South Wales Echo. “And I don't expect to see a reaction from the team as they have shown me after great performances they can keep it up for the next game. The best example is the week when we won at Stamford Bridge on the Wednesday and on Saturday we went to get a great point at Everton in a very difficult game, so I hope to see the same kind of performance [at Sunderland]. It does not mean we will get a result, as they need the three points but if we keep that level everything is possible for us and we have always said survival is the priority and we still need some points to be sure of that.” If Swansea need to be reminded about how damaging a good cup run can be to league form, they need look no further than tonight's opponents. Sunderland reached the final of the League Cup back in 1985, losing to Norwich, and were ultimately relegated from Division One after winning just one of their 12 remaining games. The Canaries, incidentally, were relegated that season as well. Sunderland for their part have quietly and unspectacularly hauled themselves away from the relegation zone and a victory tonight could see them into the top half of the table for the first time since the opening day of the season. Swansea denied on Monday reports that unsettled striker Danny Graham had handed in a transfer request. Sunderland will be monitoring the situation with interest as they were one of the clubs to have a bid rejected for the Gateshead-born former Watford man earlier in the transfer window. Tonight's game kicks off at 1945GMT, so join us around 30 minutes beforehand when we should have the confirmed team news, which will be followed by a match commentary.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sunderland leading scorer Steven Fletcher netted twice against Wigan last time out, taking this tally for the season to ten. The Scot's goals have been worth ten points to his club and without them it is worth noting that the Wearsiders would be next to bottom. Stephane Sessegnon and Adam Johnson provide most of the ammunition for Fletcher and Swansea will need to keep an eye on both of them. There's also no doubt who poses the biggest threat for the visitors. Spaniard Michu has scored 13 goals in 22 games since a £2 million summer move from Rayo Vallacano, which must rate as one of the best pieces of business done by a Premier League club not only this season but possibly in the last decade. Miguel Pérez Cuesta's goals have been worth nine points to his club, although he has not scored in the league since netting in the 1-1 home draw with Manchester United on Dec. 23.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sunderland have the better head-to-head record in league meetings between the sides with 10 wins to five by Swansea and six games being drawn. On Wearside, the Black Cats have seven wins to just one by Swansea, with two meetings ending up all square. Sunderland won the corresponding match last season 2-0, with goals from Stephane Sessegnon (14 minutes) and Craig Gardner (85). The earlier meeting between the sides this season finished in a 2-2 draw. Steven Fletcher, who was making his Sunderland debut, twice put the visitors in front, but first Wayne Routledge and then Michu levelled for the home side. It was an eventful match, with Swansea having to play the last 19 minutes with ten men after Chico was shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Louis Saha. It was also the game in which Swansea full-back Neil Taylor broke his ankle, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

FORM GUIDE

Sunderland sit in 11th place, with 28 points from 23 games. They have won their last two matches, against West Ham and Wigan, and four of their last six. Swansea beat Stoke 3-1 last time out in the league and are unbeaten in their last six. The Swans are currently ninth on 33 points, a point behind Liverpool and West Brom. If you are expecting a feast of goals in this one, you may be disappointed. Only five Premier League clubs have conceded fewer goals at home than the 12 let in by Sunderland this season, and Swansea have the division's best defence away from home.

EARLY TEAM NEWS

Sunderland will again be without captain Lee Cattermole (knee) and defenders Danny Rose and Carlos Cuellar (both hamstring). There may be a place on the bench for on-loan defender Kader Mangane. Gerhard Tremmel is again likely to make way for first-choice goalkeeper Michel Vorm despite keeping a clean sheet against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup. Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng suffered an ankle injury in that game and is listed as doubtful. Kemy Agustien (ankle) and Neil Taylor (broken leg) are both long-term absentees.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Taking charge of tonight's game is Andre Marriner, who was appointed to the select group of referees in 2005. The West Midlands whistleblower has administered 33 cautions in his nine Premier League outings to date and has yet to show a red card. In fact, the last player he dismissed was Stoke's Ricardo Fuller at Chelsea in March, some 24 games ago. Marriner was the referee for that incredible FA Cup fourth-round tie at Carrow Road on Saturday which saw Norwich City knocked out by non-league Luton Town. His assistants this evening are Peter Kirkup and Sian Massey, while Lee Probert is the fourth official.