Sunderland 0-0 Swansea City: Another draw For The Black Cats

Sunderland and Swansea played out an uneventful draw at the Stadium of Light, but the Black Cats should have had all three points.

The first half started with both teams passing the ball around each having a share of the possession. Chances were few and far between during the early stages with the only chance of the first 20 minutes falling to Adam Johnson as he saw his low drive well saved at the near post.

As you’d expect, Swansea tried to play their possession game by trying to cut through the Sunderland defence with threaded through balls, however the Black Cats were industrious in midfield and allowed Swansea’s creative players no time on the ball.

As the half wore on it was the Black Cats who were dominating proceedings but they weren’t creating too many clear cut chances. Fabianski was called into action on 36 mins with an outstanding save to deny Santiago Vergini after he headed Seb Larsson’s shot towards the bottom corner.

From the resulting corner Wickham’s shot was blocked and half chances fell to Billy Jones and Patrick Van Aanholt, however there was no breakthrough for Sunderland.

A fairly uneventful first half was brought to an end with Sunderland dominating proceedings without breaking the deadlock as Vito Mannone remained a spectator.

The second half started as tense and cagey as the first with neither side wanting to give anything away. The first chance of the half fell to Sigurdsson on 55 mins but his effort was straight at Mannone.

On 71 mins Will Buckley saw his low cross flash across goal after a good run down the left.  Two minutes later Alvarez flashed a ball across goal but nobody was able to put the ball in the net.

Angel Rangel saw a second yellow on 81 mins as Sunderland were increasing the pressure down the left wing. The resulting free kick was whipped in by Seb Larsson but was saved by Fabianski.

Sunderland were now in the ascendency and Steven Fletcher should have opened his account this season but he saw his header go agonisingly wide. Minutes later Gomez shot straight at Fabianski.

Sunderland threw everything at Swansea during the last ten minutes but they couldn’t find a way past the Swansea defence.

Sunderland (4-3-3): Mannone, Jones, van Aanholt, Vergini, O'Shea (c), Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell (Gomez 57’), Johnson (Alvarez 65’), Buckley, Wickham (Fletcher 77’).

Subs: Pantilimon, Bridcutt, Gomez, Mavrias, Alvarez, Altidore. Fletcher

Goals: None

Swansea City (4-3-3): Fabianski, Rangel, Taylor, Williams (c), Fernandez, Ki, Shelvey, Sigurdsson (Richards 82’), Dyer (Montero 65’), Routledge, Gomis (Bony 72’).

Subs: Tremmel, Montero, Emnes, Bartley, Bony, Carroll, Richards

Goals: None

Sent Off: Rangel (81’)