Stoke City 1-1 Sunderland: Adam Denies Black Cats Vital Win

Connor Wickham got on the score sheet for Sunderland but the Black Cats were denied all three points by Charlie Adam’s thunderbolt.

Sunderland got off to the best possible start after just ninety seconds, taking the lead through Connor Wickham. Will Buckley drove down the line and his cross was fumbled by Begovic into the path of Connor Wickham who was on hand to prod home after an initial scramble.

Pantilimon was brought into action straight away but Charlie Adam’s long range shot was straight at him. The Romanian had to be on his toes again on 9 minutes as he stood up well to deny Walters after the Irish International was played through on goal. Not long after Stoke had another opportunity on 14 minutes as Stephen Ireland’s shot nearly found the bottom corner after being deflected.

After soaking up pressure from Stoke, Sunderland really should have made it two nil after 25 minutes. A ball over the top from Cattermole played Defoe in on goal but the forward could only hit the side netting.

And Sunderland were made to pay for Defoe’s miss a minute later as Stoke levelled the match through an unstoppable shot from Charlie Adam. A loose ball in the box was played back to Adam who unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top corner leaving Pantilimon no chance.

Sunderland started the second half well and had the first chance with Begovic saving Gomez’s weak effort after Van Aanholt had crossed for the Spaniard.

Sunderland could have retaken the lead on 50 minutes through Jermain Defoe. A neat move from the Black Cats ended with Wickham sliding the ball through to Defoe who was denied at the near post by Begovic.

Sunderland spurned another glorious opportunity on 59 minutes. Cattermole robbed the Stoke centre half and played in Wickham who was clean through but he took far too long to shoot and was tackled before he could get a decent effort away.

Sunderland were dominating at this point and four minutes later Billy Jones created an opening for himself, but Begovic got the slightest of touches to send it wide.

Stoke’s first real chance in the second half nearly created their second goal on 69 minutes. Adam floated a ball across to Diouf who controlled and shot from point blank and somehow Pantilimon made a tremendous save.

It was frantic end to end stuff with both sides exchanging chances. Crouch saw his header fly wide and Defoe’s snap shot flashed the wrong side of the post. Stoke thought they had taken the lead when Charlie Adam’s thunderous strike looked to be going in but Pantilimon managed to make a one handed save.

Sunderland had to settle for another draw after creating enough chances to win a couple of games but unfortunately they couldn’t convert their opportunities.

Stoke City: Begovic, Cameron (Bardsley 87’), Pieters, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Adam, Walters (Odemwingie 80’), N'Zonzi, Diouf (Crouch 70’), Ireland, Arnautovic.

Subs: Butland, Bardsley, Wilson, Sidwell, Whelan, Odemwingie, Crouch.

Goals: Adam (26’)

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Jones, van Aanholt, O’Shea (c), Coates, Cattermole, Rodwell, Gomez, Buckley (Graham 46’), Wickham, Defoe.

Subs: Mannone, Reveillere, Vergini, Bridcutt, Honeyman, Agnew, Graham.

Goals: Wickham (2’)