Sunderland and Fulham played out a dour goalless draw at the Stadium of Light with both teams having chances to claim all three points and move up the Premier League table.
Steve Bruce saw his side hit the bar twice in the first half through Kieron Richardson and Jack Colback with Stephane Sessegnon also missing a late chance on a frustrating afternoon on Wearside. The Cottagers rode their luck at times but also had chances to win through Dickson Etuhu and Clint Dempsey although Martin Jol will travel back down to London content with a well earned point. However the result does leave both teams hovering perilously close to the bottom three having picked up just two wins apiece and on today’s viewing they could be waiting a long time for their third. The away side won 3-0 here in April in a performance that oozed attacking class but it was the polar opposite on a chilly afternoon in the North East. Jol and his players headed into their 25th fixture of the season thankful for a well earned rest during the international break after their Europa League campaign took it’s toll last time out against Tottenham. Despite the break the Cottagers looked jaded in the opening exchanges as Sunderland took a firm foothold during the first period.
Bruce’s side enjoyed a lions share of possession but failed to capitalise on their dominance with Lee Cattermole and Colback proving too hot for Fulham to handle in the centre of midfield. The latter was by far the most exciting player on the field with his work rate and quality on the ball shining through. The Black Cat’s supporters could sense a goal was coming and they were up and ready to celebrate after Kieron Richardson connected with Sessegnon’s cross only to see his header striker the bar. Colback then saw his fierce strike saved superbly by veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer with the Australian showing his reaction time hasn’t waned over the years. The visitors struggled to impose themselves but did finally manage an effort on goal towards the end of the half with Moussa Dembele showing neat footwork to fashion a chance that was saved easily by Kieron Westwood.
That seemed to spur the away side on and Etuhu came close to giving them an underserved lead only to see his goal bound header cleared off the line by Cattermole. Fulham improved after the restart and Chris Baird forced Westwood into a smart save with an effort from 20-yards. Still, the hosts were looking dangerous in the final third and Sessegnon was unlucky to see his close range effort fly wide after Schwarzer made a hash of his punched clearance under pressure from Michael Turner. As the game wore on clear cut chances became a rarity and both Dempsey and Sessegnon should have done better when presented with opportunities late on. Firstly the American should have given Fulham the lead on the counter attack but could only drag his shot wide. Moments later they could have been behind and had Schwarzer to thank for keeping Sessegnon’s deflected shot from crossing the line.
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