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Played
March 2, 2013 8:30 PM IST
Stadium of Light — Sunderland
Referee: M. Halsey
Attendance: 39312
March 2, 2013 8:30 PM IST
Stadium of Light — Sunderland
Referee: M. Halsey
Attendance: 39312
Top of the Match
Stéphane Sessegnon
Sunderland
Sunderland
Ashkan Dejagah
Fulham
Fulham
Flop of the Match
Adam Johnson
Sunderland
Sunderland
Emmanuel Frimpong
Fulham
Fulham
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Sunderland 2-2 Fulham: Sessegnon secures a point for Black Cats
Martin O'Neill's side came from behind to seal a deserved point after Mark Halsey had awarded a controversial penalty to the visitors before the hosts battled back for a draw
By Matt Scott at the Stadium of Light
Getty Images
Sunderland battled back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw with Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, with strikes from Stephane Sessegnon and Craig Gardner earning the Black Cats a deserved point.
Dimitar Berbatov stroked home a controversially-awarded penalty to give the visitors the lead before Sascha Riether's tap-in doubled the advantage for the Cottagers as Martin O'Neill's side laboured at home.
A spot-kick from Gardner halved the deficit and Sessegon completed the comeback, smashing in a fine low effort from 20 yards.
Neither manager made a single change from either of their previous line-ups as Danny Graham and Steven Fletcher were paired up front from the start for the hosts for the first time in a home game.
Sunderland almost took an early lead as Sessegnon forced a corner in the first minute, but John O'Shea headed Seb Larsson's delivery into the side-netting.
After a sustained spell of Black Cats pressure, it was Fulham who took the lead in the 16th minute, albeit in questionable circumstances.
Ashkan Dejagah took a delayed tumble over Craig Gardner's leg, although contact appeared to be extremely minimal, but Mark Halsey pointed to the spot and Berbatov slotted home to Simon Mignolet's left.
With the hosts failing to get into the game, Fulham nearly doubled their lead as Mark Schwarzer's booming kick got Dejagah behind Gardner again, but the Iranian could only lash the ball across Mignolet and wide.
Fulham had a goal soon after thanks to a magnificent counterattack from a Sunderland corner. Dejagah and Bryan Ruiz carried the ball through midfield before Mignolet parried the former's shot straight into the path of Riether, who tapped into an unguarded net.
The hosts were rocked, but responded in the perfect fashion. Gardner rifled a penalty into the top corner after Senderos had clearly tugged Graham's shirt in the box, under a high ball.
Sunderland came out strongly after the break and should have been level after two minutes, but Graham could only hit a tame effort at Schwarzer from eight yards after Fletcher's initial shot had been blocked into his path.
The hosts began to turn the screw, sending numerous balls into the area, and Alfred N'Diaye headed off-target from 12 yards, shortly after hitting an effort from 25 yards just over.
With 20 minutes to go, the hosts finally levelled, mere moments after almost going two goals down again.
Mignolet saved bravely at Berbatov's feet after a delightful scooped pass from Ruiz and the Black Cats went straight up the other end through Adam Johnson. The winger's cross was blocked but ran to Sessegnon, who smashed in from the edge of the box.
The hosts had a penalty appeal turned down after substitute Emmanuel Frimpong threw his hands up to block a long-range shot, and Larsson's drive from distance flew wide as the west London outfit clung on to their point.
Dimitar Berbatov stroked home a controversially-awarded penalty to give the visitors the lead before Sascha Riether's tap-in doubled the advantage for the Cottagers as Martin O'Neill's side laboured at home.
A spot-kick from Gardner halved the deficit and Sessegon completed the comeback, smashing in a fine low effort from 20 yards.
Neither manager made a single change from either of their previous line-ups as Danny Graham and Steven Fletcher were paired up front from the start for the hosts for the first time in a home game.
Sunderland almost took an early lead as Sessegnon forced a corner in the first minute, but John O'Shea headed Seb Larsson's delivery into the side-netting.
After a sustained spell of Black Cats pressure, it was Fulham who took the lead in the 16th minute, albeit in questionable circumstances.
Ashkan Dejagah took a delayed tumble over Craig Gardner's leg, although contact appeared to be extremely minimal, but Mark Halsey pointed to the spot and Berbatov slotted home to Simon Mignolet's left.
With the hosts failing to get into the game, Fulham nearly doubled their lead as Mark Schwarzer's booming kick got Dejagah behind Gardner again, but the Iranian could only lash the ball across Mignolet and wide.
Fulham had a goal soon after thanks to a magnificent counterattack from a Sunderland corner. Dejagah and Bryan Ruiz carried the ball through midfield before Mignolet parried the former's shot straight into the path of Riether, who tapped into an unguarded net.
The hosts were rocked, but responded in the perfect fashion. Gardner rifled a penalty into the top corner after Senderos had clearly tugged Graham's shirt in the box, under a high ball.
Sunderland came out strongly after the break and should have been level after two minutes, but Graham could only hit a tame effort at Schwarzer from eight yards after Fletcher's initial shot had been blocked into his path.
The hosts began to turn the screw, sending numerous balls into the area, and Alfred N'Diaye headed off-target from 12 yards, shortly after hitting an effort from 25 yards just over.
With 20 minutes to go, the hosts finally levelled, mere moments after almost going two goals down again.
Mignolet saved bravely at Berbatov's feet after a delightful scooped pass from Ruiz and the Black Cats went straight up the other end through Adam Johnson. The winger's cross was blocked but ran to Sessegnon, who smashed in from the edge of the box.
The hosts had a penalty appeal turned down after substitute Emmanuel Frimpong threw his hands up to block a long-range shot, and Larsson's drive from distance flew wide as the west London outfit clung on to their point.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
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Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
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Final
scheduled
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Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Robin van Persie Striker Man. United |
26 | 3 |
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Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |