Fulham hold Sunderland

Hayles' pace was a threat during the first half

Sunderland 1-1 Fulham
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Sunderland and Fulham shared the points after an entertaining game at the Stadium of Light.

Steed Malbranque put the visitors in front in the first half before Black Cats hitman Kevin Phillips grabbed the equaliser.

We have found our feet at this level and we need to take the next step now

Fulham boss
Jean Tigana

The point may take some of the pressure off Sunderland manager Peter Reid, whose side have slipped alarmingly of late - starting with a 5-0 defeat at Ipswich.

For Fulham, the result keeps them in the top half of the Premiership, a laudable achievement in their first season in the League.

The first half typified the way things have gone for Sunderland in recent weeks, as they failed to take their chances and then found themselves punished by the opposition.

They were nearly behind as early as the second minute, with Barry Hayles running through the home defence after Steve Finnan's incisive pass, only for Thomas Sorensen to save his shot.

  Match facts

15 minutes: Malbranque puts Fulham ahead

17: McAteer spurns a great chance for the hosts

67: Phillips equalises for Sunderland

Sunderland's response came through good work from the robust Niall Quinn, whose flick put Gavin McCann in on goal - but Zat Knight was able to recover and get in a fine covering tackle.

That missed opportunity cost Peter Reid's side dearly when Malbranque beat three Sunderland players to shoot unchallenged past Sorensen.

Almost immediately, Jason McAteer should have equalised for the home side, but he failed to take advantage of a one-on-one situation with Edwin van der Saar blocking his effort and also repelling Phillips' follow-up.

Jody Craddock found himself under pressure on 51 minutes as he and Hayles chased down Legwinski's ball into the box, but the defender was equal to the task as he cleared for a throw-in.

It was a big pressure game for us and the players came through it with flying colours

Sunderland boss
Peter Reid

Quinn finally got a sight of goal two minutes later when McAteer picked him out at the far post, but his well-struck volley was blocked by international team-mate Finnan.

With 23 minutes of normal time remaining, Phillips produced the equaliser, taking a pass from Stefan Schwarz and skipping round van der Saar before scoring a delightful goal.

The final minutes of the game were tense, but there was little in the way of goalscoring opportunities.

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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).