Sunderland had to settle for a point after coming from behind to draw 1-1 against ten man Birmingham City on Saturday at the SOL. The visitors had taken an early lead through a Sam Gallagher goal after some hapless Sunderland defending although Chris Coleman’s side did respond immediately through Lewis Grabban who nabbed his twelfth goal of the season. The Blues were reduced to ten men midway through the second half when Gallagher was shown a second yellow card for a tackle on Vaughan but Sunderland couldn’t capitalise and break down a stubborn Birmingham defence.
After finally ending the home hoodoo with victory over Fulham last weekend Sunderland looked to record back to back wins as Birmingham City headed to Wearside. Birmingham, managed by former Sunderland assistant manager Steve Cotterill, are rooted to the foot of the table and have the worst away record in the league this season having only picked up two points.
There was mixed news on the injury front as Paddy McNair and Bryan Oviedo closed in on returns to action though Lee Cattermole was ruled out for a month with a thigh strain. Coleman kept faith with the same team as last week with super subs Maja and Asoro having to make do with a spot on the bench.
Good work from Gooch forced an early Sunderland corner and Darron Gibson delivered a decent cross but no one could get a head on it and it went out for a throw. From the throw in we fashioned a chance for Gibson to try his luck from range but his well struck low drive was blocked. At the other end the blues right winger had a go from distance but dragged it wide.
Birmingham then forced a corner which former Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner took and the visitors almost scored as we defended it terribly but Honeyman eventually scrambled it clear.Birmingham had another effort soon after when Gardner tried a shot from range but it was deflected into the hands of Ruiter.
We created a good chance to open the scoring after ten minutes when Love got in down the right flank and played in a great low cross which Vaughan failed to convert from inside the six yard box. The striker failed to get enough contact on the ball and flicked it just wide of the target.
Birmingham opened the scoring after fifteen minutes after some calamitous Sunderland defending which started with Honeyman losing possession cheaply before the lads allowed a straight long ball to bounce and Sam Gallagher out muscled John O'Shea. Gallagher had a shot saved by Ruiter but the rebound fell into the path of the striker who rolled the ball into the empty net.
We tried to respond immediately and Grabban had a go from the edge of the box but his shot sailed over the bar. Grabban did equalise soon after when he found the net after Love had volleyed across goal. Love was trying to shoot but he dragged the volley and Grabban made no mistake powering the ball into the back of the net from close range giving the keeper no chance. We almost took the lead a couple of minutes later when Gooch surged down the left wing and into the box and crossed for Vaughan but his shot on the turn was wide of the post.
On the half hour mark Birmingham had another effort to take the lead when Jota out paced Wilson and crossed for Gallagher but Ruiter made a smart save low to his left to deny him. Gallagher almost got in in goal again five minutes later latching onto another long ball but this time Ty Browning defended it well and cleared the danger.
Five minutes before half time Jota, who caused Sunderland a lot of problems in the first half, drew a good save from Ruiter with a well hit left footed strike with the Dutchman having to react quickly and pounce on the loose ball. Before the break we had a good chance to score when Grabban crossed for Love who was in acres of space in the box but his touch let him down and the ball went out for a goal kick.
Neither sides made any changes at the break and Birmingham had the first effort on goal when Craig Gardner fired a free kick over the bar after Marc Wilson gave away a free kick 25 yards from goal.Our first effort soon followed when Vaughan made a good turn on the half way line but his shot was weak and wide of the target.
Sunderland had a good chance after a good run from Matthews who then played a clever ball to Honeyman on the left side of the box. He clipped a cross towards Grabban at the back post which the keeper tipped onto the bar.
Birmingham were reduced to ten men with twenty minutes to go after Gallagher was shown a second yellow card after clattering into James Vaughan in the centre circle. Honeyman had another chance after being played in on the edge of the box by Vaughan but he clipped a shot wide of the post as Sunderland looked to capitalise on the man advantage.
With seventeen minutes remaining Coleman made a triple substitution as he went in search of all three points as Maja, N'Dong and Asoro replaced Gibson, Vaughan and Grabban. With ten minutes to go we won a free kick after Asoro was hauled down racing through on goal but the ref only cautioned the defender rather than producing another red. Matthews took the free kick and powered a low shot under the wall but the keeper held it comfortably.
The changes made by Coleman combined with the red card seemed to take a bit of steam out of Sunderland and Birmingham were happy to sit and defend the point. We had a lot of the ball in the closing stages but didn’t muster any clear chances as Cotterill’s side defended well despite the lads dominating possession.
Final Score: Sunderland 1 Birmingham City 1
ALS Man of the Match: Adam Matthews
Aidan Crowe
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