Roberto Mancini faces no punishment from the FA for criticism of referee

Posted on January 10, 2013 by adminsports

Mancini escapes FA rap for claiming referee 'ate too much at Christmas'

By
Liv Lee

PUBLISHED:

14:42 GMT, 10 January 2013

UPDATED:

16:27 GMT, 10 January 2013

Roberto Mancini will not be disciplined by the FA for his criticism of referee Kevin Friend on Boxing Day.

The Manchester City manager said that Friend may
have ‘ate too much’ at Christmas after their 1-0 defeat at Sunderland and while the FA have decided not to punish Mancini, they have
reminded him of his responsibilities.

Had they taken action he
would have been facing a touchline ban or a fine.

Mancini will not face any punishment from the FA for his criticism of referee Kevin Friend

Off the hook: Mancini will not face any punishment from the FA for his criticism of referee Kevin Friend

Mancini was angry because he felt City deserved a free-kick following Craig Gardner’s challenge on Pablo Zabaleta in the build-up to Adam Johnson's winner.

He blamed both the referee and the linesman, saying: ‘The referee may have had too much to eat for Christmas. The linesman, too. It wasn’t a great game from them.

'That’s the problem we have sometimes in football. I don’t see how the referee can’t see the foul in the build-up. I don’t know how.’

The Italian was asked to offer observations about his comments by last Friday and after he sent the FA an explanation of his words the matter was dropped.

Gareth Bale could leave if not protected by referees

Posted on December 30, 2012 by adminsports

In not protecting Bale we are in danger of kicking out top talent… it's Ronaldo all over again

UPDATED:

12:54 GMT, 30 December 2012

Mega-talented and with a 60million price tag, Gareth Bale will be one of the biggest targets for overseas clubs this January.

But it is his burgeoning reputation for diving which could push him into a move abroad.

The Spurs winger can choose from Real Madrid, PSG and others who are keen to secure a deal, but when it comes to considering his future, he could also escape the criticism.

Dive, or foul Gareth Bale went down under the challenge of Craig Gardner

Despite being one of the Premier League’s most adventurous and attractive players, Bale landed a one-game ban after picking up his fifth yellow card on Saturday, for going down too easily under a challenge from Sunderland’s Craig Gardner.

Bale protested his innocence and said he was trying to prevent himself from injury, rather than capitalise on Gardner’s presence.

The 23-year old feels almost targeted by referees, rather than protected.

Much like Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed bullies forced him out of England because opposition players couldn’t cope with him on the pitch.

The Real Madrid star said his time at Manchester United was marred by those who couldn’t handle his pace.

‘There are some teams who know they can’t compete with you on a football level so they just kick you,’ he said.

Tough: Cristiano Ronaldo felt he was not protected in the Premier League

‘It’s frustrating and something needs to be done to protect the skilful players because one day someone will get seriously hurt. I think more could be done to protect them but that is up to the referees to decide.’

It will be the Premier League’s loss if Bale leaves for similar reasons.

This weekend Bale snapped and hit back in defence of his integrity, blasting Atkinson’s decision to book him.

‘It’s the same thing every time,’ he said. ‘It’s the third time this season where I’ve been clipped and I’ve been booked for no reason.

‘I think the referees need to look a bit closer. It’s not something I’m doing, it’s people thinking I am diving when there’s actually contact. If there is contact then it is a penalty or a free-kick, so I can’t do anything about it.

Furious: Bale will serve a one-match ban after collecting five yellow cards

‘If there is contact then I’ll fall over. What do you expect me to do – hit my head on the floor I put my hands down to protect myself.’

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has previously claimed overseas players are more likely to dive than those from Britain, but even Europe is clamping down on the more obvious theatrics.

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci was fined €2000 and banned after his yellow card for simulation during his side’s 1-0 win over Palermo earlier this month.

He ran the full length of the pitch to meet a pass inside the box, but collapsed dramatically into a heap when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Gareth Bale booked for diving, banned for one match

Posted on December 29, 2012 by adminsports

Fifth yellow of season for Bale as alleged diving earns Spurs winger one-match ban

UPDATED:

15:09 GMT, 29 December 2012

Gareth Bale received his fifth yellow card of the season for alleged diving and will miss Tottenham's Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham.

The Wales winger has been subject of number of controversial bookings this season for supposed simulation.

The incident came in the 81st minute when the midfielder raced into the box, only to tumble over as he was about to shoot.

Contact: Bale was definitely clipped by Gardner as he raced into the box

Referee Martin Atkinson added to his
total during the clash with Sunderland, despite replays showing there
was contact with Craig Gardner.

Bale looked aghast at the official's decision which means all of his five cautions this season have been for diving – more than any other player in the Premier League.

Bale said after the match: 'This is the third time this season that it has happened, getting booked after being clipped.

'There's nothing I can do. The referees need to take a closer look at what is happening.'

You sure, ref Bale remonstrated with the official after being booked

Craig Gordon, the 9m goalkeeper who is available on a free transfer

Posted on November 27, 2012 by adminsports

Good Gord! He once cost Sunderland boss Roy Keane 9m… but the keeper is STILL available on a free going into December

UPDATED:

14:07 GMT, 27 November 2012

Craig Gordon, remember him

The most expensive British goalkeeper, Scotland international and credited with one of the greatest saves ever.

And currently without a club and available on a free transfer.

For hire: Scotland keeper Craig Gordon is a free agent

Available for hire… other free transfers

Ricardo Gardner (Bolton)

Darius Vassell (Aston Villa, Manchester City, England)

Delroy Facey (Bolton, Hull, West Brom)

Salif Diao (Monaco, Liverpool, Stoke)

Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Manchester City)

The 29-year-old was released by Sunderland at the end of last season after a succession of injuries.

It marked a remarkable fall from grace for Gordon, who was one hailed as 'untouchable' by former Sunderland boss Roy Keane.

After sealing his 9million switch from Hearts, Keane likened it to when Brian Clough signed England legend Peter Shilton for Nottingham Forest.

But Gordon's impact at Sunderland was restricted by injury.

Safe hands: Gordon is Britain's most expensive keeper

A knee injury midway through his second season with the Black Cats left him sidelined for several months.

And, only four months into the following season, a broken arm kept him out for another three months.

Further injury woes struck when Gordon broke the same arm in pre-season training in 2010.

He returned to produce the save of the season against Bolton when he denied Zat Knight from point-blank range.

But in April 2011, Gordon underwent knee surgery which kept him out for another eight months.

Gordon's great save

Everton are among a host of clubs who could offer Gordon way back into the game.

But he wants to prove his fitness before relaunching his career.

'I'm just trying to get back fully fit with that before I start looking for a club,' he told BBC Scotland's Sportscene.

'I've still had a few niggling problems with my knee injury, which I've had on and off for quite some time now.'

West Brom success down to squad rotation

Posted on November 26, 2012 by adminsports

Clarke puts stunning West Brom success story down to squad rotation

UPDATED:

22:31 GMT, 25 November 2012

West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke has put his side’s success down to the way his players have taken to his rotation system.

The Baggies are up to third in the Premier League but Clarke is trying to keep his players grounded.

'I’m mildly happy,’ he said with half a smile after his side's win over Sunderland.

Party time: West Brom climbed to third with their win over Sunderland

Boaz Myhill narrowly survived three scares before goals from Zoltan Gera, Shane Long, Romelu Lukaku and Marc-Antoine Fortune scored to give West Brom their fourth successive top flight win for the first time since 1982.

Goals from Craig Gardner and Stephane Sessegnon gave Sunderland brief hope, and a rally, but the visitors were good value for their win.

Clarke said: 'I said at the start I was happy with the squad and only thing I said to them was they should be comfortable in the Premier League after two seasons finishing mid-table. The only way to build on that is with better performances and we have.

'I just try to use the squad the best I can to get the best out of them. They have bought into what I am trying to do and that is really important.

Main man: Shane Long continued his fine form with a goal on Saturday

'The game now is not about 11 players now, it is about your squad. The stronger your squad, the more chance you have of winning games in the Premier League. I turn round, look at the bench and want to make changes. I am always really happy with what I see.

'I am never satisfied. If we get to our target of 50 points in March, I will go for another target. But the philosophy we have and the way we have worked is to build game to game and we look no further.’

And while Clarke may have praise for the collective effort from all his players, he rightly singled out Long and Gera for their contribution to an impressive away win, which made up for the undeserved defeat at Newcastle earlier in the month.

In charge: Steve Clarke

He added: 'Zoltan has been terrific all season. He had a career-threatening injury, it took him a long time to get over it and we nursed him through it to protect him.

He is at the stage of his career where you can’t play him in every game because that would be detrimental to him. He accepts that fact and you see the quality of the guy’s performances. He is always for me one of the better players.

'I speak about Shane every week, whether he plays 70 or 60 minutes or comes on for 20. I have run out for superlatives for him, he has been tremendous every week.

'But he also has Lukaku sitting on his tail which keeps him lively. As well as Marc-Antoine and Marcus Rosenborg, who didn’t get on the pitch, we have Peter Odemwingie who has found another level. So there is great competition for the front places and Shane is a big part of that.’

Stoke 0 Sunderland 0: Home comfort scant consolation for frustrated Pulis

Posted on October 27, 2012 by adminsports

Stoke 0 Sunderland 0: Home comfort scant consolation for frustrated Pulis

UPDATED:

16:12 GMT, 27 October 2012

Stoke and Sunderland each recorded a
sixth Barclays Premier League draw of the season after playing out a
goalless stalemate at the Britannia Stadium.

In a game lacking in real quality and
featuring some feisty tackling, Potters wideman Michael Kightly saw a
shot cleared away by the head of Carlos Cuellar in the first half.

'Ave it: Stoke's Dean Whitehead challenges Sebastian Larsson

Match facts

Stoke: Begovic,Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson (Wilkinson 53), Kightly, Whitehead, Adam (Owen 79), Nzonzi, Walters (Etherington 72), Crouch. Subs Not Used: Sorensen, Jones, Upson, Palacios.

Booked: Whitehead, Crouch.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose (Bardsley 83), Larsson (Sessegnon 61),Cattermole, Colback, Johnson (Saha 89), McClean, Fletcher. Subs Not Used: Westwood, Campbell, Kilgallon, Vaughan.

Booked: Rose,Gardner.

Att: 27,005

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

Latest Premier League table and results

Charlie Adam was unable to finish for the hosts from Geoff Cameron's tee-up after the break and Black Cats striker Steven Fletcher's penalty claims went unheeded after his shot looked to have hit Robert Huth's arm.

Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet then did well to deny Huth from close range and Kightly struck wide in stoppage time.

The two sides went into the contest with a combined record of 10 draws from 15 league games this season, so a sharing of the points was perhaps the inevitable outcome.

In a scrappy opening, Kightly was released down the left in the 14th minute but made a mess of his cross and Sunderland winger Adam Johnson's deflected shot earned a corner which amounted to nothing.

Craig Gardner then slotted the ball into the danger zone where Potters goalkeeper Asmir Begovic dived on it with the sliding Jack Colback advancing.

Room-mates: Tony Pulis and Martin O'Neill

Up for it: Michael Kightly of Stoke wins the ball from Craig Gardner

Begovic's opposite number Mignolet
pushed away a curling free-kick from Adam and the ball came to Ryan
Shawcross, whose mis-hit volley was also saved by the Belgian stopper.

Colback tried his luck from distance to no avail before Kightly sent a
shot towards the top corner around the half-hour mark, with Cuellar on
hand to head behind and Mignolet punching away the resulting corner
under pressure from Shawcross.

Cuellar was then on attacking duty, nodding wide from Sebastian Larsson's free-kick.
A half of few legitimate attempts on goal was summed up towards the end
as Marc Wilson and Adam lashed ambitious efforts well off-target.

Over the top: Sunderland's John O'Shea beats Stoke City's Peter Crouch

On the run: Stephane Sessegnon of Sunderland holds off Steven N'zongi of Stoke

Wilson sustained an injury soon after the restart from a challenge on
Fletcher which led to him being carried off the pitch on a stretcher,
Andy Wilkinson being brought on to replace him.

Larsson was next to look worse for wear, being left on the turf
following a tackle from former Black Cats man Dean Whitehead – who was
booked – and after Johnson had drilled over the bar, the Swede came off
for Stephane Sessegnon.

With just under 20 minutes to go, Cameron pulled the ball back in the
box for Adam, who was falling as he shot and saw Mignolet easily claim
his effort.

Flying in: Stoke City's Charlie Adam and Sunderland's Danny Rose (right)

Ouch: Peter Crouch clashes with Danny Rose

Fletcher then suddenly found himself in space in the area and struck the
ball against Huth, with the ball appearing to hit the defender's arm.

Fletcher appealed for a spot-kick, but referee Mark Halsey waved play on.

Stoke substitute Matthew Etherington had a shot blocked, and after
Gardner had been booked for a wild challenge on Wilkinson, Mignolet
produced a point-blank save to keep out Huth's header.

The fourth official signalled for eight minutes of stoppage time to be played and Stoke cranked up the pressure.

Mignolet got down to save another Huth header before pushing the ball away from Peter Crouch to Kightly, who fired wide.

Another Potters substitute, Michael Owen, stooped to head in a cross but
John O'Shea got there first and Stoke's Steven Nzonzi then shot too
high as the additional minutes proved not enough to separate the teams.

Martin O"Neill furious with Lee Cattermole

Posted on September 26, 2012 by adminsports

O'Neill furious with captain Cattermole for red card in cup win

UPDATED:

22:53 GMT, 25 September 2012

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill blasted captain Lee Cattermole for getting sent off in his side's Capital One Cup success over MK Dons.

The Black Cats progress to round four courtesy of two fantastic second-half goals from Craig Gardner and James McClean but it was the dismissal of Cattermole that left O'Neill with a bitter taste in his mouth.

The 24-year-old combative midfielder has now been shown five red cards in his Sunderland career and O'Neill felt his skipper gave referee Stuart Attwell little choice but to send him off for a first-half lunge on young MK Dons full-back Adam Chicksen.

Fury: O'Neill (left) was not happy with Cattermole (right) for getting sent off

He said: 'From the minute you start lunging in you are giving the referee no option. It looked from the sideline that the referee had no option.

'I think that whatever we say, we can watch it back a hundred times, the referee is watching someone lunge in and you run that risk, it is crazy.'

O'Neill, who has won the League Cup on two occasions as a manager with Leicester, felt Cattermole set a bad example for his team-mates.

'You can't do it, we talked about discipline before the game and there we are, down to 10 men, it is a hard enough battle here and he didn't help himself and he didn't help his team,' he said.

'He started the season off brightly for us and he's a great leader – but he has to have discipline himself.

'There is no point asking for discipline from the team when you don't show it yourself.'

Marching orders: Referee Stuart Atwell sends Cattermole off

Gardner's tremendous 25-yard free-kick and an individual effort from McClean secured a relatively safe passage into the next round and O'Neill felt his players overcame a potentially tricky fixture to get there.

He said: 'I don't want to go overboard about it but it is good to win.

'I was very concerned tonight considering some of the players we had to leave out of the team.

'To win tonight was great, considering the circumstances of playing most of the game with 10 men.

'I'm obviously delighted we won the game and it is really pleasing to be in the hat for the next round.'

Another positive for O'Neill was being able to give some game time to winger Adam Johnson.

Wondergoal: Gardner (left) is mobbed after his strike

The summer signing from Manchester City has been missing with a thigh injury but was introduced with six minutes to go as he continues his comeback.

O'Neill added: 'Of course McClean was excellent and scored a great second goal that allowed me to get Adam Johnson on the pitch for a few moments.

'It was one of those where I wanted to try and give him just a feeling for things again.

'In an ideal world it would have been great if he had a little longer, another aspect was of course that there was a chance of the game going into extra-time and there was a chance of him getting on.'

MK Dons manager Karl Robinson felt his side could have come out on top in the game but was pleased with the way his players took the game to their top-flight opponents.

Clean strike: James McClean doubles Sunderland's lead

He said: 'I thought we deserved a little bit more out of the game to be honest and I think most people in the ground would agree with that.

'What a wondergoal that was at 0-0 and that took the stuffing out of us.

'We had to go on the front foot, because we have got the man advantage and we were also a goal behind.

'We knew then that if we were going to concede a goal it would be on the break to either (Louis) Saha or McClean because that is the quality they possess.'

Robinson was also looking forward to learning from his counterpart and enjoyed pitting himself against a Premier League club.

'We have had four changes and weren't at full strength either,' he said. 'I think we played well enough tonight but Sunderland have shown us tremendous respect and I'm looking forward to having a chat with Martin O'Neill and picking his brains so I can improve as a manager as well.'

MK Dons 0 Sunderland 2: Lee Cattermole sent off but Black Cats progress

Posted on September 26, 2012 by adminsports

MK Dons 0 Sunderland 2: Captain Cattermole sent off but Black Cats progress

UPDATED:

22:56 GMT, 25 September 2012

When Martin O'Neill confirmed Lee Cattermole as Sunderland's skipper this season, the Irishman joked that he needed his head examined.

Such levity was in short supply on Tuesday night as Cattermole was sent off for the seventh time in his career.

Early bath: Cattermole was shown the seventh red card of his career on Tuesday night

Match facts

Milton Keynes Dons: McLoughlin, Chicksen, Kay, Williams, Lewington, Powell (O'Shea 77), Gleeson, Potter, Chadwick (Lowe 62), Bowditch, Smith (MacDonald 62).

Subs Not Used: Burns, Doumbe, Ali, Spence.

Booked: Kay.

Sunderland: Westwood, Gardner, Meyler, Kilgallon, Rose, Colback, Cattermole, Vaughan, McClean, Saha, Sessegnon (Johnson 85).

Subs Not Used: Mignolet, Campbell, Wickham, Ji, Fletcher, Egan.

Sent Off: Cattermole (32).

Booked: Colback.

Goals: Gardner 54, McClean 82.

Att: 10,489

Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).

The midfielder was dismissed by
referee Stuart Attwell following a lunge at Dons' midfielder Adam
Chicksen, adding to a disciplinary record that makes for sorry reading.

In 79 appearances for Sunderland, the
24-year-old has been sent from the field five times, with 34 cautions
to be taken into consideration.

They certainly will be when O'Neill
censures a player who lasted just 32 minutes of a clash that was
competitive but without malice until Cattermole added to his
considerable charge-sheet.

But the Sunderland boss was far happier when his side took the lead, nine minutes after half-time.

Anthony Kay was booked after blocking James McClean's energetic run 25 yards from goal.

Right-back Craig Gardner had a fierce shot and his direct free kick left Ian McLoughlin flat-footed.
The ball appeared to wobble in the air, thoroughly defeating the MK Dons
keeper, who was making his full debut after first-choice David Martin
was ruled out with a stomach bug.

On target: McClean doubled Sunderland's advantage with nine minutes remaining at MK Dons

Former Liverpool trainee Darren
Potter forced Keiren Westwood into a smart stop with a low, 25-yard
drive moments before Gardner's opening goal.

Sunderland made their extra class
tell even with 10 men and were rewarded when McClean doubled their lead
with an excellent individual goal.

He turned his defender before hitting a shot into the bottom corner of McLoughlin's goal.

All smiles: Gardner celebrates after giving Sunderland the lead shortly after half-time

Sunderland v Liverpool live

Posted on September 15, 2012 by adminsports

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Sunderland v Liverpool – the action from the Stadium of Light as it happens

UPDATED:

17:05 GMT, 15 September 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as Sunderland host Liverpool at the Stadium of Light to conclude Saturday's action. Martin O'Neill's side are undefeated so far this term as they prepare to host the Reds who have endured their worst league start in 50 years. Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool (5.30pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner,
Cuellar, O'Shea, Rose, Larsson, Colback, Cattermole, McClean, Sessegnon,
Fletcher.
Subs: Westwood, Campbell, Kilgallon, Ji, Meyler, Bramble,
Saha.

Goals: Fletcher 29.

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Skrtel,
Agger, Johnson, Gerrard, Allen, Shelvey, Borini, Suarez, Sterling.
Subs:
Jones, Jose Enrique, Sahin, Assaidi, Henderson, Downing, Carragher.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

Click here for the live Premier League table

29min: GOAL! SUNDERLAND 1-0 Liverpool

'He scores when he wants' chant the home fans as Steven Fletcher somehow beats Martin Skrtel to a Craig Gardner cross to put the hosts in front.

Against the run of play but the Scot is turning out to be a smart buy with his third goal for the club.

28min: Glen Johnson claims for a penalty after being brought down but Larsson but play is waved on by the referee. I would need to see that again but a good call from the ref on first glance.

25min: Great shot, better save. Shelvey's cross into the box is knocked back by Suarez into the path of Borini, whose low first time effort is superbly parried away by Mignolet.

23min: Now it's Liverpool's turn to threaten from the set-piece. Steven Gerrard's free-kick from the right is well cleared by the Sunderland defence.

Despite winning possession, Luis Suarez fails to send in a cross, instead running the ball out of play for a goal kick.

20min: Reina still yet to be tested but that is a fantastic ball from Seb Larsson.

From a free-kick, the Swede hits an inswinging curler to the back post that somehow evades everyone as it sails wide.

19min: Nearly a goal out of nothing for Liverpool. A poor headed backpass goes straight into the path of Fabio Borini, but he is blocked by Simon Mignolet before Shelvey scuffs his rebound half volley wide from 20 yards.

16min: Disappointed with Sunderland so far. They haven't forced Pepe Reina into any sort of danger and the Spanish keeper is picking up an easy week's wages so far.

Under pressure: Liverpool's Glen Johnson jumps up at Sunderland's Stephane Sessegnon

13min: Oh good, another shot! Liverpool are not getting any closer though as Luis Suarez's strike follows the same path as Shelvey's earlier effort.

10min: Still no real action as Fletcher goes down injured for Sunderland. The striker is down for a good half-minute but is soon up on his feet again.

7min: Liverpool slightly edging the play so far but still nothing to split these teams.

Reds fans were thought to applaud after six minutes in acknowledgment to the 96 that lost their lives at Hillsborough, but nothing has noticeably come so far (not that I could hear anyway, happy to be proven wrong though).

Either way there are plenty of banners in the away end acknowledging the disaster.

4min: Jonjo Shelvey has the first strike at goal but the Liverpool midfielder's attempt flies comfortably wide.

3min: Slow start here as both sides feel each other out. There is a big atmosphere inside the stadium created by fans from both teams so I expect this game to rise with it.

Kick-off: Steven Fletcher and Stephane Sessegnon of Sunderland get us going.

Emotional week: Liverpool fans unveil banners claiming justice for the 96 that lost their lives at Hillsborough

17.28: On a sunny evening in the north east, the players make their way out.

17.25: Believe it or not but due to a postponement here a couple of weeks ago, this is the first game at the Satdium of Light this season.

Always seems to be drama in this fixture, who could forget Darren Bent's beach ball goal three years ago

17.22: Liverpool boss, Brendan Rodgers spoke to ESPN before the game:

'It was a very difficult and sad week for the people of the city and the club. It was a long hard fight for the people and for them to get that result was a fantastic thing.

'There is no doubt whenever you come to Liverpool as a player or a manager you are not signing a football contact but an emotional contract with the people of the city.

'It's one that makes you very proud and we understand our role in the community.'

17.19: On the release of the Hillsborough files, Sportsmail Des Kelly has added his two cents to the unveiling of the truth. It's well worth a read.

Rewarded: After impressing against Arsenal, Jonjo Shelvey (centre) is drafted into Liverpool's starting line-up

17.16: The full line-ups from the Stadium of Light:

Sunderland v Liverpool
Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Cuellar, O'Shea, Rose, Larsson, Colback, Cattermole, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher. Subs: Westwood, Campbell, Kilgallon, Ji, Meyler, Bramble, Saha.

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Gerrard, Allen, Shelvey, Borini, Suarez, Sterling. Subs: Jones, Jose Enrique, Sahin, Assaidi, Henderson, Downing, Carragher.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

17.13: Adam Johnson misses out on a Barclays Premier League home debut for Sunderland against Liverpool after failing to shake off a thigh injury.

The 25-year-old, who picked up the problem on England duty, trained at the end of the week, but has not recovered sufficiently to be considered, and his place in the starting line-up is taken by loan signing Danny Rose.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers makes two changes to the side beaten 2-0 at home by Arsenal last time out as Martin Kelly and Jonjo Shelvey come in for Jose Enrique and Nuri Sahin.

17.10: It's been a highly emotional week for Liverpool fans as they were finally given the truth over the Hillsborough disaster after 23 years of campaigning.

But although the attention now focuses on their side's trip to Sunderland this evening in search of their first win of the season, 'Justice for the 96' will still be at the forefront of everyone's mind, at least at the away end of the Stadium of Light.

Searching for first win: Steven Gerrard (right) will hope his Liverpool side can record their first victory this term

Swansea 2 Sunderland 2: Michu fires again after Steven Fletcher double

Posted on September 1, 2012 by adminsports

Swansea 2 Sunderland 2: Michu on target again after Fletcher fires quickfire double

UPDATED:

16:32 GMT, 1 September 2012

Steven Fletcher's first goals for Sunderland ended Swansea's 100 per cent start to the Premier League season in a dramatic Liberty Stadium encounter marred by a serious ankle injury to Neil Taylor.

Fletcher started to repay his big-money fee following his move from Wolves as he struck twice in the first half, either side of Wayne Routledge's effort for Swansea.

Michu scored his fourth goal in three games for the hosts to level matters, but they then lost defender Chico Flores to a red card for a wild high challenge as the game ended all square.

Making an impact: Michu (third right) outjumps the Sunderland defence to nod home the equlaiser

Match facts

Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Williams, Chico, Taylor (Davies 20), Dyer, Britton, De Guzman, Routledge (Tate 73), Michu (Ki 78), Graham. Subs not used: Tremmel, Shechter, Moore, Agustien.

Booked: Williams.

Sent off: Chico.

Scorer: Routledge 45, Michu 66.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Cuellar, O'Shea, Colback, Johnson, Larsson, Cattermole (Meyler 38), McClean, Sessegnon (Campbell 84), Fletcher (Saha 67). Subs not used: Westwood, Kilgallon, Ji, Bramble.

Booked: Gardner.

Scorers: Fletcher 40, 45.

Referee: Roger East.

But prior to all that action, Taylor
had already been carted off on a stretcher after his leg buckled
awkwardly under him following a challenge with Craig Gardner.

The incident could barely have come at a worse time for Swans boss Michael Laudrup, just a day after the transfer window closed.

Buoyed by their excellent recent form
Swansea had started with purpose, and Routledge had a penalty appeal
turned away while Dyer had a shot saved by Simon Mignolet.

But they were dealt a terrible blow by Taylor's injury after 16 minutes.

The Team GB left-back required prolonged treatment and was given oxygen as he received treatment on his ankle.

The home crowd were furious that
Gardner was not punished over the incident by referee Roger East, making
his Premier League debut, but there appeared to be no malice from the
Sunderland player.

Off the mark: Steven Fletcher beats the outstretched hand of Swansea keeper Michel Vorm to hit the opener

John O'Shea did little to help matters by choosing to try to put his viewpoint across to spectators near the incident.

The atmosphere was muted following
Taylor's departure although the hosts continued to press, with Dyer
again being denied by Mignolet.

Swansea had benefited from defensive
errors in their wins over QPR and West Ham, but they were hurt by a
mistake of their own five minutes before the break.

Flashpoint: Neil Taylor collides with Sunderland's Craig Gardner, with the challenge leaving the Swansea left back requiring treatment on the pitch for a serious-looking ankle injury before being stretched off

Concern: Taylor received treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off

Ashley Williams' stubbed his back
pass into the ground and Fletcher ran in on goal to despatch a superb
low finish beyond Michel Vorm.

Swansea levelled as six minutes of
stoppage time began. Dyer and Routledge, who have started the campaign
brilliantly, linked again as the former's scooped pass allowed the
latter to flash home a volley.

But parity did not last to the
interval as Sebastian Larsson's free-kick evaded everyone apart from
Fletcher, who tapped home at the back post to give the visitors the
half-time lead.

Mignolet pushed away a Dyer volley
after more excellent build up play from the hosts, while Leon Britton
volleyed over from a rehearsed corner routine shortly after the break.

Level pegging: Wayne Routledge briefly hit the home side level just before half-time

The ill-feeling between the sides had
been bubbling under the surface since Taylor's injury, but Sunderland
boss Martin O'Neill was apoplectic when Flores escaped punishment for a
studs-up lunge on James McClean with the home side then ignoring the
stricken player by carrying on despite the Wearsiders urging them to put
the ball out.

Mignolet did brilliantly to get down
to a Jonathan de Guzman free-kick moments later after Gardner, already
on a booking for a first-half tackle on Routledge, fouled Danny Graham.

Michu came close to adding to his tally as his header into the ground from De Guzman's cross bounced up and just over the bar.

New addition: Swansea's record signing Pablo Hernandez was unveiled prior to kick-off

But the same combination found the
leveller on 66 minutes, De Guzman's delivery was again pinpoint and
Michu's powerful header gave Mignolet no chance.

Swansea's comeback efforts were
stymied when Flores then saw red for a wild high-footed challenge that
grazed substitute Louis Saha's head.

Despite the numerical disadvantage
Swansea dominated the final 18 minutes, but could not find the winner
that would have taken them top of the Premier League.

Sports Bound Guide

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