Sunderland crashed to their second consecutive defeat at the SOL this afternoon losing one nil to West Ham. Despite having the better of the chances in a boring game West Ham nicked the three points thanks to Behrami’s deflected first half effort.

After sealing a great away win at Blackburn last Saturday optimism was high before the match though the crowd was very poor by our standards probably due to the game being televised.

Fulop continued to deputise for the injured Craig Gordon behind a back four of Bardo, Nos, Ferdinand and Danny Collins. In midfield Reid started wide left and Malbranque on the right. Kieran Richardson and Whitehead were in the engine room. Kenwyne Jones partnered Cisse up front.

The first chance of the game came after ten minutes when Reid crossed for Cisse. The Frenchman’s header however went over the bar but he really should have scored. West Ham took the lead ten minutes later after Andy Reid gave away a free kick for hauling down Lucas Neill. The resulting free kick was partially cleared by the lads but the ball eventually fell to Behrami who struck a left foot shot which deflected into the top corner.

Almost instantly Sunderland should have been level but again Cisse was guilty of wasting a great chance. Reid again found him in the box but this time Cisse headed wide. Sunderland went close again soon after when Andy Reid curled a shot off the bar after the ref played an advantage in our favour.

The biggest talking point of the game came ten minutes before half time. Cisse burst through on goal with just the keeper to beat but was hauled to the ground by Collins. Rather than award a free kick or penalty and send of the West Ham centre half ref Mike Dean waved play on. It was a scandalous decision as there was no way Cisse would have gone down so easily in such a good position.

West Ham should have doubled their lead before the break when Anton Ferdinand made a horrendous mistake and let Craig Bellamy go clean through. The Sunderland centre half lost possession to the Welshman who raced clear on goal only to be forced wide by Fulop. Bellamy rounded the keeper and squared the ball to Behrami who crashed a shot off the bar which was a real let off.

After half time chances were few and far between for both sides. Sunderland pumped long balls forward to Jones and Cisse which were easily dealt with by Collins and Upson. West Ham were happy to sit on their lead and hit us on the break with Carlton Cole causing us problems in the air.

With about half an hour to go Roy Keane made a double change with Reid and Malbranque making way for Murphy and Edwards. The change didn’t really make an impact on the game with Sunderland still failing to find a quality final ball for Jones and Cisse. Our only real efforts in the second half were long range efforts from right back Phil Bardsley which is worrying.

With ten minutes to go El Hadj Diouf replaced Kenwyne Jones but West Ham comfortably saw out the game. A really poor performance from Sunderland whose form continues to be inconsistent and with another tough game coming up against Bolton on Saturday the lads need to find last season’s home form.

Final Score: Sunderland 0 West Ham United 1

ALS Man of the Match: Kieran Richardson

Aidan Crowe

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