Late-strike heartbreak for Black Cats
A DOUBLE red card blow and a late strike saw Sunderland continue their winless run at Fratton Park this evening.
The Black Cats led after a 12th minute penalty - referee Kevin Friend showing Portsmouth's Ricardo Rocha a red card, as well as pointing to the spot.
Darren Bent had wait for his chance from the penalty spot after a delay for confusion over the red card, Friend seeming to send off the wrong man with Hassan Yebda seeming to be the one who brought down the Sunderland striker.
However, despite the wait, the frontman converted, even though Pompey keeper David James guessed the right way.
Three minutes later the Wearsiders could have been two goals up, but Steed Malbranque's shot was deflected wide by Marc Wilson.
Pompey tried to get back in the game and Craig Gordon did well to deny Arouna Dindane with his legs.
Sunderland suffered an injury blow just before the break as Steed Malbranque had to be replaced by Bolo Zenden.
Three minutes after the restart Lee Cattermole saw yellow for a foul on Dindane, and on 53 minutes the Sunderland midfielder was shown a second yellow, quickly followed by a red for another late tackle.
There was also some confusion as to whether Pompey boss Avram Grant was given his marching orders at half-time after marching on to the pitch to confront Friend.
Dindane went down in the area just before the hour mark, and the match official waved away what appeared to be a good shout for a penalty.
Bent had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 on 65 minutes, but failed to beat James after being put in by Kenwyne Jones.
A minute later Matt Kilgallon almost found the net, his volley coming back off the inside of the post before being cleared.
And 10 minutes later Jones just missed the chance to get on the end of Bent's cross.
With the clock running down Sunderland brought on David Meyler for Andy Reid to shore up the midfield, but the move backfired as the young Irishman saw red for leading with his elbow less than two minutes after coming off the bench.
Now down to nine men, the Wearsiders were on the back foot and Pompey looked to make the most of their man advantage winning a succession of corners.
With the game in four minutes of six of time added on, Dindane popped up to head home and break the hearts of the travelling support.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce remonstrated with Friend at final whistle, but he will have been even more annoyed with both Cattermole and Meyler for failing to keep themselves in check and surrending their sides slim advantage.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
