Keano admitted after the game: “I’m not sure whether I’m relieved to get a point or disappointed not to get three. I’m confused – it was a strange day.” It was a strange day as I felt embarrassed to watch the first half, and amazed how we had not won the game when the full time whistle blew at 4.45pm. Football seems to be getting stranger the more I watch it, especially after the result down at Upton Park left me gob smacked as much as this game did.
We are showing signs of this term that Keane loves to use ‘character’ and it was something that we were sadly missing in “that” season the last time we showed up in the Premier League. It is just sad that we only seem to start playing in the final quarter of the game in most matches. The first half yesterday was a complete disaster and a game maybe Yorke or even Kavanagh may have thrived in. No-one seems to communicate with each other on the pitch and everyone seemed to be rushed on the ball. The mistake by Higgy with Gordon summed up just how bad the lack of understanding was between the players. I know Gordon may have a strong Scottish accent that is difficult to decipher some times but a simple shout or clearance into touch would have been enough. Instead Higgy played the most suicidal cross field ball in football history, into the path on Healy who luckily sliced wide, this basic error could/should have cost us the game and it needs to be stamped out immediately.
Fulham were on top for the majority of the first half and some bad defending by Halford and Higgy again led to their goal from distance. When the free kick swirled into the net it looked as though Gordon had been caught out and was to blame for the opener. However, with the aid of Sunday morning round up the actual free kick was an amazing strike that was helped in by the wind and great placement from Davies. Chris Kamara noted that Gordon was out of position as he was telling his defence that they were standing too deep in their own box, he was right as the box was crowded for no reason allowing them any rebounds or chances from a cross. Davies then proceeded to curl the ball beautifully into the top right hand corner.
Jones was always a threat but did seem to be a little slower than usual and he was the only one to trouble their keeper in the first half but failed to meet the header with any real connection.
The second half came with a new optimism as we knew we could not play any worse so we had to start making things happen. Sadly for Gregg Halford we started to play much better when he left the field, the second yellow card worked in Sunderland’s favour as bizarre as it may sound. The crowd seemed to get behind the lads and the roar of hope from the 39,392 mackems lifted the decibel ratings for a final push before full time.
A great ball over the top allowed Leadbitter to have an opportunity clean through but he blasted the shot straight at Niemi’s legs. This has been on two occasions now for Grant who had his shot tipped onto the post against the Hammers and then this chance against Fulham, hopefully his next goal can come soon as his forward runs deserve much more.
This sparked more chances and finally Sunderland got the equaliser in the 85th minute as Leadbitter returned the favour to Jones as his lovely sweeping cross met Jones bonce as he ran off to celebrate his 3rd goal in as many games. No flip as he may have felt it was inappropriate after such a dismal start to the game.
With the Sunderland fans hoping and preying for yet another late goal in stoppage time we were only inches away from getting our preys answered by Stokes. The Fulham defender mis-cleared the cross only for the ball to drop and Stokes feet; unfortunately he chose the wrong foot and blasted it straight at the keeper’s legs. If he used his right and curled it around just like Chops did against Spurs we would have snatched all of the points.
A bad day for Sunderland on the pitch but with the ‘character’ that we are showing we are playing till the final whistle and not letting anything go until the end.
MOM – Jones, he is the one thing positive that we can always take into the next game, always lively and worth the £6m so far from what we have seen. More of the same please Kenwyne.
Clancey_Wiggum