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By Sam Lyon
2220: That, folks, is where I sign off. Keep your eyes peeled on this website for any late transfer deals - if the below poster is anything to go by, Pompey fans in particular might want to stay across events late into the night - with just under a couple of hours left for Scottish clubs to make a deal. Otherwise, can I suggest you do your best to avoid any replays of the Sunderland-Stoke match floating about, purely for reasons of sanity. Nice one. Caroline Cheese is back on duty tomorrow, while I'm in the chair for Wednesday. Laters.
2215: Last-minute transfer confirmation! Ish! Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is convinced his efforts to sign Benjani from Manchester City have paid off. "We're convinced we've handed everything in on time for Benjani." Clear as, erm, mud then. Keep an eye on that.
Maxi_Headroom on 606: "Re 2159 - Lol. I haven't been on all day - Is that the climax of deadline day?" The Scottish transfer window is open until midnight. Though it'll have to go some to beat Mahoto's stunning Bastia switch, admittedly.
2205: Sunderland defender Michael Turner: "It was a scrappy game to be honest and not much fun to play in, but with the run we're on it's nice at least to keep a clean sheet. A draw is a fair result. Saturday's game against Wigan is now massive - we're confident we can go on a run and do well." Stoke midfielder Dean Whitehead: "We know it's a difficult place to come and we've come away with a well-earned point. We'll take a point, build on it, and hopefully push on."
LivingForFootball on 606: "Thanks to everyone on 606 today. Only proves that misery loves company. It would have been unbearable without you."
2159: We do, however, have some transfer news, with AP claiming French second-division side Bastia has signed midfielder Gauthier Mahoto from cash-strapped Portsmouth. Hold the front page.
2157: The whistle goes and you can just sense - in and amongst the odd boo ringing around the Stadium of Light - a sense of relief from the crowd that the game is finally over. A fantastic advert for cricket, that. Still, Sunderland end a run of three defeats and Stoke gain a rare away point. Which is nice.
2156: FULL-TIME Sunderland 0-0 Stoke
2155: A minute remaining for one of these sides to grab a dramatic winner.
JohnoLFC on 606: "What do you reckon's worse Sam: Stevo's 12-hour stint on a meagre deadline day, or your few hours watching this woeful game?" I'm going to say toss a coin mate.
2152: ...and Robert Huth gets on the end of it to head wide. Should have done better with that, actually, the centre-half. Four minutes of injury time signalled, which is not enough to prevent the home fan exodus. They've done quite well to last this long to be honest.
2151: Matthew Etherington breaks into the box but John Mensah does well to get across and block the winger's cross behind. For a corner...
2150: Right - Jordan Henderson, it's up to you. Sunderland throw their last roll of the dice, with Henderson brought on to replace Lee Cattermole.
2147: Throw-in to Stoke - launched in by Rory Delap - cleared by Sunderland. Help me.
2144: They've had the better chances, Stoke, and this time Ricardo Fuller almost breaks the deadlock, speeding clear of the Sunderland defence and firing goalwards, but it is straight at Craig Gordon and the keeper is able to beat the fierce effort away from goal.
2141: Bolo Zenden tries his luck from 20 yards but, not for the first time, it carries all the threat of a nun in a sweet shop. Still, at least 'The' Jimmy Anderson is enjoying it. Welcome aboard sir.
2139: FULL TIME Bury 1-0 Rochdale
2138: Sunderland looking a brighter team with Campbell and Zenden on and the pair almost combine to bring about the opener again, the latter's brilliant cross just evading Campbell's dive at the far post.
JimmyAnderson9 on Twitter: "Not much on the box tonight and Sunderland vs Stoke is not the end to end game I was expecting!!!"
emmetmcevoy on Twitter: "This is going head to head with Wolves v Liverpool for the prestigious award of 'Worst game of the season.' Winner?"
2135: And Sunderland fans almost have their wish - Fraizer Campbell gets on the end of a tame Bolo Zenden corner unmarked, but his shot is only scuffed goalwards and Stoke eventually clear.
2134: Steve Bruce, before the match, talked of this game and the next one against Wigan as "season defining". If that's the case, Sunderland fans must be licking their lips... ahem. Still, with 20 minutes left you can bet they would bite your arm off for a winning goal and that's all that counts right now.
2129: Sunderland boss Steve Bruce rings the changes, with Andy Reid and Steed Malbranque replaced by Bolo Zenden and Fraizer Campbell.
Matt, Birmingham via text: "Re: 1950 - if that 'Predo' was for shots on target then you're currently winning."
2124: Stoke boss Tony Pulis brings Fuller on for Tuncay.
2123: Screams of handball at the Stadium of Light and Darren Bent cannot believe his cries have been denied. The Sunderland striker crosses into the box and Robert Huth clearly moves his arm towards the ball to block the cross - but the penalty appeals are waved away. Let-off for Stoke and no mistake.
2121: GOAL Bury 1-0 Rochdale Bury take the lead against the run of play. Andrew Morrell wins the ball and sends Ryan Lowe through on goal. The striker looks up and places the ball cooly past Frank Fielding.
2120: It's still goalless at Gigg Lane but I don't know how because Chris O'Grady has just missed an open goal. A low cross from Tope Obadeyi on the right beat goalkeeper Wayne Brown but, with the goal gaping, O'Grady scuffed his effort and it trickled past the post.
2119: Stoke have only won once away from home this season in the Premier League - though that did come against Spurs - while Sunderland's recent record is three points from their last nine games. Who in their right mind would have predicted a goalfest?!
2116: Kenwyne Jones has been one of the few acts on show with a touch of class this evening and his delightful through-ball finds Darren Bent, whose cross is forced behind with Steed Malbranque lurking.
Anon via text: "Slow, boring and predictable, sums up a Friends episode perfectly. We are just missing the canned laughter every kick."
2112: To be fair, by the way, I'm being a little mischievous at 2058. As I reported at the time, Spurs contacted Gudjohnsen weeks ago. Not that David Sullivan's mood will be helped by that.
2109: Scramble! Pin-ball wizard in the Sunderland box as Glenn Whelan's free-kick is helped across goal by Danny Higginbotham and Salif Diao and Mamady Sidibe both have pot-shots at a goal guarded by around half a dozen Sunderland players, the ball finally spooning over the bar off a defender.
2107: Back under way.
2105: The players are back out and about at the Stadium of Light. One wonders if referee Howard Webb has had a look at any TV replays of that first half, Jones and the Stoke players were doing their darndest to get into each other's shirts on more than one occasion. It is cold out there to be fair.
R_Fiske on 606: "This would never make it as a friends episode, its terrible!"
2058: Elsewhere, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has said of Robbie Keane: "He has definitely not played his last game for Tottenham." Oh, and Stoke fans check this out - on Asmir Begovic, he said: "Begovic did a deal (with Tottenham). He came in and had a medical and then I think his agent changed his mind and they got a better deal at Stoke." Instant karma following the Eidur Gudjohnsen deal?
Mike Martin on 606: "Simply dreadful refereeing throughout. Howard Webb has lost all his bravery as a referee; shirt-pulling in the box ignored and now only a yellow card for violent conduct. If refs want respect they should at least appear to know the laws of the game."
2051: If this were a 'Friends' episode, it'd be "The One With Plenty of Effort From Both Sides But A Sad Lack of Quality. Unfortunately".
2050: HALF-TIME: Sunderland 0-0 Stoke
2049: The Whitehead-Cattermole face-off continues, the latter clattering into the Stoke midfielder this time and going into the book as a result. Retribution gained, free-kick wasted, plenty of verbals.
2047: Two minutes of added time. Audible groans from Sunderland fans.
2045: Andy Reid lines up a free-kick for Sunderland 25 yards out but his curler is easily saved by Thomas Sorensen. I wonder how TS is feeling about Asmir Begovic's arrival? Sorensen's been aces this year.
Peabutler on Twitter: "Under-tones in that kick from Whitehead - Cattermole more or less gave him the heave ho from Sunderland."
David, Birmingham via text: "The TV commentator noted that the surface looked very nice at Sunderland. Shame neither side are using it. Garbage."
2043: I tell you what, my prediction at 1950 is looking good isn't it?
2041: Dean Whitehead might be a little lucky, here, as he reacts to a hard - but fair - challenge from Lee Cattermole by aiming a kick at the Sunderland midfielder. Admittedly, the kick was softer than the Andrex puppy, but by the letter of the law he could have gone then. Just a yellow card.
2037: HALF-TIME: Bury 0-0 Rochdale
2036: Ian, below, is spot on, though, whatever his intentions - and Stoke centre-half pairing Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcross are struggling - literally - to get hold of him. Plenty of grappling and shirt-pulling on the striker in the box, but referee Howard Webb is having none of it.
2032: Sunderland back on the offensive and Steed Malbranque fashions a half chance from Darren Bent's dummy, stepping inside the full-back, but his left-footed shot is deflected into keeper Thomas Sorensen's arms.
Ian, Bishop Auckland text: "As a Sunderland fan, I've noticed Kenwyne Jones looks an awful lot more interested than he has done recently, this can only be a good thing." Unless he's trying to impress Rafael Benitez...?
2029: Glenn Whelan plays a delightful ball over the Sunderland right-back and Etherington whips a firm cross into the box, but Michael Turner clears the hosts' lines.
2026: It's been all Bury so far in the Lancashire derby at Gigg Lane, without a huge amount of goalmouth action. Stephen Dawson has had a couple of shots comfortably saved by Frank Fielding. Rochdale haven't really got into the game yet.
2025: Who'd have thought it, but this game has got a bit scrappy. Sunderland still trying to knock it about, but Stoke - having upped their lines - are starting to press matters better.
Basinas + Kanu = Basanu- The Holy One on 606: "Manual Fernandes and Kezman completed six-month loans to Pompey just minutes before the window slammed shut, I tell you. Both jet in tomorrow to be unveiled by the club."
2019: Looks like Abdoulaye Faye has won that particular debate as he comes off with Andy Wilkinson brought on. Sunderland controlling proceedings right now.
2017: This doesn't look good for Stoke - Abdoulaye Faye wants to come off injured with what looks a problem with his back. Tony Pulis is keen for him to try to run it off. Cue stand-off.
Imajaghan on Twitter: "Tuncay is the classiest player on the pitch and will be the difference today for Stoke. No Delap bombs today?"
2013: Two chances in a couple of minutes for Sunderland, Kenwyne Jones slapping straight at keeper Thomas Sorensen from Michael Turner's knockdown, and Steed Malbranque then firing wide from 20 yards out.
2011:Robbie Keane is officially a Bhoy, then, with his loan from Spurs confirmed. He will be paraded at Celtic Park at 2300 GMT tonight. Blimey - late night for the Celts then.
2010: ROBBIE KEANE SIGNS FOR CELTIC UNTIL THE SUMMER
2009: Abdoulaye Faye saves Salif Diao's blushes after the midfielder's wayward pass gifts Darren Bent possession, only for Faye to clear his lines well.
2007: Real scare that for Sunderland, then, and there's not a great deal of mystery as to how they've leaked 18 goals in six games. Apart from that, though, a half decent start from the hosts with Kenwyne Jones causing a few problems.
pars4promotion on Twitter: "You needn't bother giving us updates from the Bury-Rochdale game, it's got 0-0 written all over it!"
2004: Stoke, on their very first attack, should be ahead. Bit of magic from Tuncay, the Turkish frontman slipping the ball through to an unmarked Dean Whitehead in the box, but the midfielder - against his former side - allows the keeper to save one-on-one with a tame side-footed finish.
2002: We are under way at the Stadium of Light.
1959: The players are out, Sunderland will get us started. You ready?
JoberGooner on Twitter: "More certain than death that Fuller is a trump card of Tony Pulis for the second-half."
1955: Before I forget, I'll also be bringing you goal action from Gigg Lane as 1st and fourth meet in League Two, Bury v Rochdale. Big local derby that too. They're 10 minutes in, 0-0.
clarrie-blue on 606: "Can't see there being five goals in this one - two at the most. Possibly 1-1."
1953: So Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, fresh from signing Tottenham full-back Alan Hutton on loan, gives new signing Matt Kilgallon his first home start following his move from Sheffield United. Stoke boss Tony Pulis makes three changes from the side that beat Arsenal 3-1, with Abdoulaye Faye returning to the heart of the defence alongside Ryan Shawcross, while Danny Higginbotham shifts to left-back. Salif Diao returns to the centre of midfield while ex-Black Cat Dean Whitehead moves to the right, with Rory Delap dropped to the bench, and Tuncay partnered by Mamady Sidibe up front.
PopeandSwift on Twitter: "Kenwyne to break his duck tonight and show Liverpool what they're missing. Sunderland to win and push on with new signings."
1950: Who wants a prediction then? No-one? Well you're getting one anyway. Sunderland 3-2 Stoke And Robbie Keane (for who Bhoys fans are already crowding outside Celtic Park to see) to bag a hatful of goals in Scotland. A bagful.
BarrelofFun on 606: "Here in Brighton we didn't even find a satsuma or a solitary nut. Perhaps we can look forward to a pair of socks on loan."
Anon via text: "So Stoke buy one keeper, offload four reserves, and yet we still don't get a player in who will help us score the goals we sorely miss this season! If we're not careful, we'll get pulled into the drop zone..."
1944: You couldn't get two teams in much more different form this evening, Stoke unbeaten in 2010 and Sunderland with just one win in their last 13 Premier League matches. Still, the Potters have not won one of their last seven visits to Wearside so the Black Cats - on their first appearance at home since Boxing Day - will be looking to return to winning ways in a bid to leapfrog their mid-table rivals tonight.
stand_free on Twitter: "Still over four hours up here in Scotland to go till the window closes, plenty time for more deals (he says with fingers crossed)."
Anon via text: "Have Liverpool signed Vasilis Torosidis? Or was that just another rumour?" No firm news as yet mate, but if it's gone through it's a late one.
1938: These two clubs have done their fair share of hurry and scurry today, of course, with Sunderland snapping up Alan Hutton from Tottenham and Stoke leaving it later than late to wrap up the arrival of Asmir Begovic from Portsmouth. There's also talk that Sunderland might just have sneaked Benjani in the back door at the death - we'll keep you posted on that - and I'll let you know if Hutton and Begovic are braving the north east cold this evening.
toffeebluecard on 606: "RE: 1930 - Monster moves? Adam Johnson will get five appearances in two years, Robbie Keane will end his career in Scotland, losing a few european games."
Budmeister91 on Twitter: "Looking forward to Stoke-Sunderland, be interesting if Beattie features at all after the transfer speculation."
1932: Plenty to chat about, then - on today of all days - so why not give yourself the chance to be web famous for 15 minutes and text me your chat to 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide); get involved in the debate on 606; and/or hit sampatricklyon on Twitter too. This is very much your moment, folks.
1930: Bless our very own Jonathan Stevenson. Just before 1700 GMT he looked like he'd woken up on Christmas morning expecting a brand new bike, only to dip into his stocking and find a satsuma and a bag of nuts - and now you can't wipe the smile off his little face. Let's be honest, the final day of the transfer window was looking about exciting as the BBC canteen menu not so long ago - but now, thanks to Adam Johnson and Robbie Keane, our marathon effort today looks to have been rewarded with a couple of monster moves. And you know what? It doesn't end there. Not only will I keep you in the loop with any last-minute/unannounced deals, but we have Sunderland v Stoke to get our teeth into. Don't go anywhere.
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