Source: Northern_Echo
Second half recovery secures Cats a point
A stirring second half fightback ensured Sunderland took a share of the points at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.[LNB] After being jeered from the pitch at half-time, Steve Bruce's side showed the type of spirit they will need to sustain if they are going to turn around their winless run.[LNB] Wigan started by far the brighter side and Paul Sharner missed a great chance to take an early lead before Mohamed Diame robbed Lork Cana and blasted a stunning drive past Craig Gordon.[LNB] Sunderland were a complete shambles in the first half with Cana and Lee Cattermole in particular lacking any confidence on the ball.[LNB] But they were a different prospect after the restart.[LNB] Bent had a goal disallowed for offside, it was a very tight call and Bruce left the fourth official in doubt which way he thought it should have gone. A minute later Wigan's James McCarthy should have put the visitors two ahead but lacked the composure to take the ball around Gordon who spooned a tame effort away for a corner.[LNB] The goalmouth action was incessant. Michael Turner almost nodded home a close range header against his former club before Charles N'Zogbia spurned a chance after being put through by the impressive Hugo Rodallega.[LNB] But Sunderland's improved showing was rewarded when good work by debutant Alan Hutton teed up Jordan Henderson who sent in a hanging cross that Jones headed down past Chris Kirkland. The Sunderland supporters who'd booed their team off at the break were now roaring the players forward.[LNB] Bent steered an effort wide as Sunderland finally enjoyed a spell of dominance.[LNB] Henderson was stretchered off after sustaining what appeared to be a knee injury and Bolo Zenden took his place on the right flank. Bent had another great chance to take all three points but his goalbound effort rebounded of his team-mate Jones lying prone in the Wigan goalmouth.[LNB] Neither side could find a way through despite the dreadfully fussy referee Staurt Attwell adding seven minutes of time.[LNB] Sunderland (4-4-2): Gordon;Hutton,Turner,Kilgallon,McCartney;Henderson(Zenden, 67);Cana,Cattermole,Reid (86 Benjani),Jones,Bent[LNB] Subs (not used):Fulop (gk),Bardsley,Da Silva,Malbranque,Campbell.[LNB] Wigan Athletic (4-5-1): Kirkland;Boyce,Caldwell,Sharner(Moreno 73),Brambell,Figueroa;Rodallega (Moses 81),Thomas,McCarthy,N'Zogbia;Diame[LNB] Subs(not used):Stojkovic(gk),Sinclair,Gomez,Melchiot,Scotland.[LNB] Booked: Figueroa,McCartney,Cattermole,McCarthy,Jones[LNB] Attendance: 38,350[LNB]
