Sunderland vs Watford LIVE: Championship result, final score and reaction
Follow live coverage as Sunderland face Watford in the Championship today.
English football's second tier is one of the most-watched leagues in Europe with a relentless fixture schedule and the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer combining to make it one of the most dramatic and exciting competitions in world football.
Burnley were relegated from the top tier in 2022 but return refreshed and hopeful of making it back and equally Watford no doubt enjoyed their time in the Premier League too and are also keen to return.
Norwich know what it takes to earn promotion from the Championship and will again be one of the favourites to do it again with one of the best squads in the division.
It isn't all about the battle for promotion, either, with Wigan, Rotherham and play-off winners Sunderland hoping their ascensions from League One aren't short-lived as they battle to avoid the drop at the bottom.
We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:
Sunderland AFC 2 - 2 Watford FC
Sunderland vs Watford
17:03
A draw at the death. #WatfordFC | @SkyBetChamp pic.twitter.com/a1NMtnt0sN
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:58
Match ends, Sunderland 2, Watford 2.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:57
Second Half ends, Sunderland 2, Watford 2.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:57
Attempt blocked. Lynden Gooch (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Amad Diallo.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:57
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Hassane Kamara.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:57
Attempt missed. Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Abdoullah Ba with a cross.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:55
Patrick Roberts curls in a wondergoal at the death.
⏱ 90+6’
🐈⬛ 2-2 🐝#WatfordFC— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:54
Goal! Sunderland 2, Watford 2. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) left footed shot from the right side of the box.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:56
Attempt blocked. Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Clarke.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:52
Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:52
Foul by Édouard Michut (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Watford
16:52
Attempt saved. Alex Pritchard (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Abdoullah Ba.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:50
Attempt blocked. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Clarke.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:50
Seven minutes of added time to be played.
⏱ 90’
🐈⬛ 1-2 🐝#WatfordFC— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:49
Foul by Keinan Davis (Watford).
Sunderland vs Watford
16:49
Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:48
The ball falls invitingly to Clarke in the box but he blazes over.
⏱ 89’
🐈⬛ 1-2 🐝#WatfordFC— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:48
A third change. Great shift Ryan! 👏#WatfordFC | @manscaped pic.twitter.com/r7iR9WZMJ0
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:49
Attempt missed. Jack Clarke (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:49
Trai Hume (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:49
Offside, Watford. Daniel Bachmann tries a through ball, but Ken Sema is caught offside.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:47
Substitution, Watford. Wesley Hoedt replaces Ryan Andrews.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:45
Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:45
Amad Diallo (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:45
Foul by Amad Diallo (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Watford
16:42
A second change from Chris Wilder. #WatfordFC | @manscaped pic.twitter.com/UdooBQgsuj
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:42
Attempt blocked. Keinan Davis (Watford) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:42
Substitution, Watford. Jeremy Ngakia replaces Ismaïla Sarr because of an injury.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:47
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:42
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:37
RISE RYAN! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/KbHB4t6OFJ
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:38
Delay in match because of an injury Ismaïla Sarr (Watford).
Sunderland vs Watford
16:38
Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:38
Foul by Luke O'Nien (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Watford
16:35
Substitution, Sunderland. Abdoullah Ba replaces Joe Gelhardt.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:35
Substitution, Sunderland. Édouard Michut replaces Daniel Neil.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:33
Jack Clarke (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:33
Attempt saved. Amad Diallo (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Daniel Neil.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:31
Goal.
O'Nien pokes it in as Sunderland reply instantly.
⏱ 71’
🐈⬛ 1-2 🐝#WatfordFC— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:31
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Ryan Porteous.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:31
Attempt blocked. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Luke O'Nien.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:30
Two set piece goals today as Porteous heads home from a corner! 🏴 https://t.co/N5NmV0595s
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:30
Goal! Sunderland 1, Watford 2. Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Alex Pritchard following a corner.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:31
Attempt missed. Alex Pritchard (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a corner.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:33
Attempt missed. Jack Clarke (Sunderland) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right following a corner.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:32
Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Patrick Roberts with a cross following a corner.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:29
PORTOOOOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/BpVMKgqcCi
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:29
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Ken Sema.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:28
Goal! Sunderland 0, Watford 2. Ryan Porteous (Watford) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Imrân Louza with a cross following a corner.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:28
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Patrick Roberts.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:25
Foul by Jack Clarke (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Watford
16:25
Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:25
Jack Clarke (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:25
Keinan Davis (Watford) is shown the yellow card.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:24
Foul by Jack Clarke (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Watford
16:23
Attempt missed. Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Lynden Gooch with a cross.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:20
Attempt blocked. Joe Gelhardt (Sunderland) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:19
Alex Pritchard (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:19
Attempt blocked. Alex Pritchard (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:18
Our first change of the afternoon. 🔁#WatfordFC | @manscaped pic.twitter.com/MhLkgRAo7Q
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:18
Substitution, Sunderland. Alex Pritchard replaces Pierre Ekwah.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:18
Substitution, Watford. Leandro Bacuna replaces Yáser Asprilla.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:16
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Imrân Louza.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:15
Attempt missed. Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Amad Diallo.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:11
Bachmann saves from a Sunderland header and Amad fires the rebound wide.
⏱ 51’
🐈⬛ 0-1 🐝#WatfordFC— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:10
Attempt missed. Amad Diallo (Sunderland) left footed shot from the right side of the box following a corner.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:11
Attempt saved. Trai Hume (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Patrick Roberts with a cross.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:10
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Hassane Kamara.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:07
Great work from Sarr out wide and the ball falls to Sema inside the box but he fails with an acrobatic attempt.
⏱ 47’
🐈⬛ 0-1 🐝#WatfordFC— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:06
Foul by Daniel Neil (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Watford
16:08
Attempt blocked. Ken Sema (Watford) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Watford
16:05
Back underway in Sunderland.
⏱ 46’
🐈⬛ 0-1 🐝#WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/xKhGInIRY4— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
16:05
Foul by Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Watford
16:04
Second Half begins Sunderland 0, Watford 1.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:50
We lead at the break thanks to a Christian Kabasele header. 🙌#WatfordFC | @SkyBetChamp pic.twitter.com/sktwpP1pEm
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
15:48
First Half ends, Sunderland 0, Watford 1.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:48
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Hamza Choudhury.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:47
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Hamza Choudhury.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:48
Attempt blocked. Joe Gelhardt (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:45
Hand ball by Keinan Davis (Watford).
Sunderland vs Watford
15:43
Chance! Davis shot is deflected out and falls to Sema inside the box but his shot is fired straight at the defender.
⏱ 41’
🐈⬛ 0-1 🐝#WatfordFC— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
15:43
Attempt blocked. Ken Sema (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:42
Attempt missed. Ryan Porteous (Watford) right footed shot from more than 35 yards.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:37
Clarke goes down in the box wanting a penalty but it's waved away.
⏱ 35’
🐈⬛ 0-1 🐝#WatfordFC— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
15:37
Attempt missed. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the box.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:36
Clarke goes down in the box wanting a penalty but it's waved away.
⏱ 35’
🐈⬛ 0-1 🐝#WatfordFC— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
15:35
Hand ball by Ismaïla Sarr (Watford).
Sunderland vs Watford
15:33
Foul by Lynden Gooch (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Watford
15:29
Attempt missed. Yáser Asprilla (Watford) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:28
Good header skipper! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/ZT5HdGEt0T
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
15:28
Foul by Luke O'Nien (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Watford
15:28
Attempt missed. Keinan Davis (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:28
Attempt saved. Ryan Andrews (Watford) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Yáser Asprilla.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:26
Offside, Watford. Ryan Porteous tries a through ball, but Keinan Davis is caught offside.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:26
Foul by Trai Hume (Sunderland).
Sunderland vs Watford
15:24
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Ryan Andrews.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:26
Attempt blocked. Jack Clarke (Sunderland) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:26
Attempt saved. Amad Diallo (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
Sunderland vs Watford
15:21
Kabasele rises highest to head home from a corner!
⏱ 17’
🐈⬛ 0-1 🐝#WatfordFC https://t.co/fRqPUF8Syo— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 29, 2023
Sunderland vs Watford
15:21
Offside, Watford. Yáser Asprilla tries a through ball, but Ismaïla Sarr is caught offside.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
