Fulham were prevented from taking all three points and heaping more pressure on Peter Reid by Kevin Phillips scoring his 10th goal of the season for Sunderland
The England striker expertly rounded Edwin van der Sar on 66 minutes
to drag the home side back into a game which the visitors looked to have
in their grasp after a superb first-half display.
Steed Malbranque had fired the Londoners into a 15th-minute lead to reward
their early dominance.
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Steed Malbranque celebrates his 15th minute
cracker
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But the Wearsiders eventually staged a rousing comeback, and it was they
who looked the more likely winners as time ran down.
Jean Tigana may feel his side deserved more than the one point, but Reid
was a relieved man after seeing a fightback which reinforced his belief
in his players.
It could have been so different as Malbranque in particular ran riot
before the break, leaving the Wearsiders in his wake for long periods.
Reid went into the game with the result of a poll conducted by a fans'
website professing little confidence in him, but the manager remained
defiant.
He brought veteran striker Niall Quinn back to partner Phillips in attack
and handed the experienced Stefan Schwarz a recall in midfield.
Tigana recalled goalkeeper van der Saar, John Collins, Sylvain Legwinski
and Steve Marlet - with Maik Taylor, Sean Davis, Luis Boa Morte and Louis
Saha making way.
Reid knew only an improved display from his players would silence his
critics, but he got nothing of the sort before the break as Fulham took
the game by the scruff of the neck.
The outstanding Malbranque and his midfield partner John Collins ran
the opening 45 minutes - and, with Sunderland creating little where it
mattered, the visitors could have wrapped up the points with barely half-an-hour
gone.
Barry Hayles should really have put the Londoners in front with less
than two minutes gone after he outstripped the home defence to collect
Steve Finnan's pass - but he could not beat Thomas Sorensen.
His side had to wait just 13 minutes more for the opening goal, Malbranque
skipping away from Schwarz, Bernt Haas and Stanislav Varga before driving
a shot across Sorensen and into the top corner.
The Dane was grateful for the assistance of the crossbar on 34 minutes
when Zat Knight rose above the crowd to get his head to Malbranque's corner.
Sunderland's failure to find the back of the net often enough to mount
a serious challenge in this season's Barclaycard Premiership refused to
go away, Gavin McCann and Jason McAteer both squandering golden opportunities
when through on goal to leave Reid scratching is head.
But whatever he said at half-time certainly had the desired effect as
his side upped their tempo and, little by little, forced their way into
the game.
Quinn was unfortunate to see a well-struck volley cannon into Finnan,
and Phillips warmed van der Sar's hands with a powerful volley after Knight's
back-pass hit Alain Goma and fell into his path.
Knight chanced his arm from all of 40 yards - and was not too far off
target - as Fulham looked to extend their lead, but it was Sunderland
who were establishing a momentum.
Gavin McCann had a long-range shot blocked by Goma after Quinn had flicked
on Haas' long throw - and Phillips sliced a speculative effort wide.
But the home side were starting to believe once again.
| Match
Stats |
Sunderland |
Fulham |
| Goal
attempts |
16 |
9 |
| On
Target |
8 |
2 |
| Hit
woodwork |
0 |
1 |
| Fouls |
19 |
13 |
| Offsides |
1 |
4 |
| Corners |
11 |
2 |
| Yellows |
3 |
2 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source:
www.sports.com |
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The equaliser eventually came with 66 minutes gone when Schwarz's pass allowed
Phillips to race clear and round van der Sar with before slotting into the
empty net.
From that point on, there looked to be only one winner - Phillips firing
inches wide two minutes later and then hammering a volley at point-blank
range into Legwinski.
As the Wearsiders committed men to attack in the hunt for victory, Fulham
used their pace on the break to threaten. But Marlet wasted a glorious
chance nine minutes from time when he went clear on the left and cut inside
only to fire high over the bar.
In an eventful end to the game, McCann left the field with blood pouring
from his nose after a clash with Knight and Fulham substitute Boa Morte
was carried off just 13 minutes after replacing Hayles.
Sunderland: Sorensen, Haas, Craddock, Varga, Gray, McAteer, McCann
(Williams 89), Schwarz, Kilbane, Phillips, Quinn.
Subs Not Used: Macho, McCartney, Arca, Bellion.
Booked: Schwarz, McAteer, Williams.
Fulham: Van der Sar, Finnan, Melville, Knight, Goma, Brevett, Collins,
Malbranque, Legwinski, Marlet, Hayles (Boa Morte 77), Boa Morte (Stolcers
90).
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Harley, Goldbaek.
Booked: Brevett, Goma.
Att: 45,124 Ref: P Jones (Loughborough)