Sunderland drew 1-1 with West Ham United at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, as the Black Cats have now drawn 10 of their 16 games in the Premier League this season.
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The Mackems took the lead through Jordi Gomez’s penalty, which was awarded somewhat controversially, but Stewart Downing’s fine strike put the Hammers level soon after.
USMNT man Jozy Altidore missed a glorious chances to put Sunderland ahead and neither team could find a winner late in the game.
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With yet another draw Sunderland is in 15th on 16 points, while West Ham remain in fourth on 28 points.
After an even start Sunderland took the lead midway through the first half via a controversial penalty kick. Adam Johnson surged into the box on the right and as James Tomkins went to close Johnson down the Sunderland man hit the floor and a penalty kick was awarded.
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Gomez slotted home the spot kick to put the Black Cats 1-0 up but six minutes later West Ham were level. A wonderful run and low drive by Downing got the Hammers level.
Right on half time U.S. international Altidore had a glorious chance to put his side back ahead but he somehow squander a chance from four yards out as he missed his kick and the half time whistle blew. What a miss for the USMNT man, who has now scored just two goals in 69 PL appearances.
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At the start of the second half Winston Reid went down injured and needed plenty of treatment as the match became extremely tight.
Late in the game West Ham piled the pressure on Sunderland but the home side had a great chance to go ahead as Conor Wickham and Steven Fletcher combined to see the former smash over via a deflection. From the resulting corner kick Santiago Vergini went close and then Andy Carroll controlled the ball well before slamming just wide as the Hammers had to settle for a point.
LINEUPS
Sunderland: Pantilimon, Reveillere, Brown, O’Shea, Vergini, Johnson (Alvarez, 70') Gomez, Larsson, Cattermole, Altidore (Fletcher, 62'), Wickham
Goal: Gomez (22')
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell, Kouyate, Jenkinson, Downing, Nolan (Valencia, 81'), Song, Carroll, Sakho
Goal: Downing (28')
