Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League game between West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland. It’s the who-gets-sacked-first derby.

Sunderland rob McCauley in defence, and they are almost through on goal before the move breaks down quickly, and West Brom send it long again.

Giaccherini clips a ball over for Gardner, approaching the six yard box, but as he brings the ball down, he slips, falls over, and the ball is out for a goal kick. That was neat approach play.

West Brom show some patience, find Sinclair, who immediately gives the ball away, with only Anelka to aim for.

Rare West Brom possession. Content to play in defence, but they play another long ball and Anelka is called for offside.

Myhill sends the ball straight out for a throw in, as Ridgewell couldn't get there in time.

Another Johnson long ball, this time aimed at Borini, is claimed by Myhill without bother. McCauley is down injured having run into his 'keeper, but will be fine.

Borini chases the ball down on the left, but is tackled on the byline by McCauley, and then fouls him in frustration.

Westwood is lucky there. A long ball is hit for Anelka, and Westwood chests the ball down when he meets the ball outside the box, and Anelka intercepts, Westwood slips, and is just able to claim the ball back. It could have been an easy chance for Anelka.

The next corner is cleared, but not far. Amalfitano is then found offside on the left. Sunderland free kick.

Anelka's cross to Sessegnon is headed behind by Celustka, and West Brom have their first corner. The corner finds McCauley, but Ki gets to it just in time. Another corner.

West Brom's first moments of possession. Sunderland are pressing them whenever they get into their half, Sunderland have the ball back, Johnson aiming a long ball to Borini.

Myhill clears terribly, and Sunderland have a throw near to West Brom's box. Sunderland's first cross is cleared, and Sunderland begin their attack again from the back. Myhill keeps a header back in play, just.

Here we go, we kick off. Well, the teams kick off. I'm just watching. Scott Sinclair's hair is pretty daft.

We're just five minutes away from kick off, so make sure your senses are finely attuned for the nuances of my writing, and for the subtleties of the football we're about to be given. Exciting!

Do you like Twitter? No, I don't either. However, at times like this it's useful to give you the chance to tell me exactly how well or terribly you think I'm doing my job, or to tell me what you think of the game. My Twitter handle is @lxndrnthrtn, you can get in touch if you like. Or, equally, not.

For his part, Steve Clarke doesn’t seem to think Sessegnon didn’t care, as Di Canion found while at Sunderland, but described him a shy figure: “"He's quiet but, when I was young, I was quiet as well. That doesn't make you introverted or a difficult character. Some people are quiet, some people are loud. Everybody has their own character."”

Before the game, Di Canio called on his players to show passion and heart, adding “We must never forget that we have to give everything we have from the kick-off against any side, but especially in this game. We can get something from the game if we give it our best focus and help each other on the field.” While passion would be handy, defensive solidity and attacking creativity would be of more use.

Whoever loses this match might find themselves as the first manager to be sacked in the Premier League this season. The likelihood is that it’ll be Di Canio, not Steve Clarke, who finds himself out on his ear, as he has no previous success at the club to point to. Yes, he kept them up, but that was merely through his side being not quite bad enough, amongst some fairly severe competition.

Sunderland have John O’Shea, sent off against Crystal Palace in his last match, back in central defence. In the games I’ve watched, Modibo Diakite has been their best defender, able to intercept, tackle and block effectively, if not actually pass.

For West Brom, Stephane Sessegnon makes his debut, having left the Di Canio Militia Experience at the close of the transfer window. With West Brom struggling for goals, they will hope that he can kick-start their season in attack.

Teams - West Brom: Myhill, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Amalfitano, Mulumbu, Morrison, Sinclair, Sessegnon, Anelka... Subs: Camp, Rosenberg, Lugano, Popov, Yacob, Berahino Anichebe /// Sunderland: Westwood, Celustka, Colback, Diakite, O’Shea, Ki, Gardner, Johnson, Giaccherini, Fletcher, Borini... Subs: Mannone, Altidore, Ba, Cuellar, Dong-won, Cattermole, Mavrias