Man City 2-1 Sunderland Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras scored two goals in as many minutes but his side made hard work of their win over bottom club Sunderland.
It looked ominous for the visitors when Samaras angled in a drive after nine minutes before lashing in his second.
But City eased off and Kevin Kyle pulled one back for Sunderland, who gained in belief as the game wore on.
Micah Richards was denied a penalty for City, who held on, with the visitors' Gary Breen sent off late on.
City had wasted little time at the start of the match in immediately pinning back Sunderland and they used the expansive Eastlands pitch to probe a path through the visitors' defence.
Sunderland looked out of their depth and gifted the home side the lead when central defender Danny Collins lingered in possession and was robbed by Samaras.
The Greek international powered his shot past keeper Kelvin Davis from a tight angle before adding a second a minute later when he volleyed Trevor Sinclair's cross into the bottom corner.
City's main danger was complacency and it duly proved their downfall as they allowed Sunderland back into the game with a goal from a set-piece.
Julio Arca found Black Cats central defender Breen with a free-kick and he headed across goal for Kyle to apply the simplest of finishes.
Sunderland's spirits were lifted as they began to have more of a say in proceedings, although City remained in control and seemed able to step up the pace of the game at will.
Sunderland briefly gained the upper hand after the break but City had the chance to finish them off only for Samaras to shoot straight at keeper Davis.
Whitehead went close at the other end but knew little of his effort as he met a cross from Nyron Nosworthy.
Sunderland may have had a penalty awarded against them but breathed a sigh of relief when City's appeals were waved away after Richards went over after a challenge by an on-rushing Davis.
But any hopes they had of salvaging a draw were ended when Breen was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card for his handball when blocking David James' throw.
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Man City: James, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan, Sinclair, Reyna (Ireland 81), Musampa, Riera (Jihai 60), Vassell (Wright-Phillips 68), Samaras.
Subs Not Used: Weaver, Croft.
Booked: Riera.
Goals: Samaras 9, 10.
Sunderland: Davis, Nosworthy, Collins, Breen, McCartney, Delap (Lawrence 61), Whitehead, Leadbitter, Arca, Elliott (Le Tallec 82), Kyle (Stead 82).
Subs Not Used: Caldwell, Joe Murphy.
Sent Off: Breen (85).
Booked: Whitehead, Breen, Delap.
Goal: Kyle 25.
Att: 42,200
Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).
SirStanleyBowles- 03-06-2006
Sunderland's Liam Lawrence criticised the board's decision to sack Mick McCarthy with 10 games left this term.
"Things could have been done at Christmas. I don't understand the timing, it's come at the wrong time for us," Lawrence told Sky Sports.
"All the lads are gutted. When we were told it was a bad atmosphere, everyone was gutted and there was a lot of upset people in there.
"We were all behind Mick. A lot of the lads owe a lot to him."
Howard Wilkinson, who McCarthy succeeded, believes the board should shoulder the blame for the club's problems.
He told Sir Stanley: "It's history re-writing itself. It's about the time they informed me after about four months in charge that I was going to receive the same fate.
"In the last three years Sunderland have had three managers.
"Peter Reid's record before I took over was very good, Mick McCarthy's record was very good and my record, some would argue, was decent.
"All three went but the board who appointed them remained and still remain. So you sometimes question whether the directors should take responsibility in these matters.
"One has to question whether they have the right strategy or if they've got one at all."
Sunderland legend Gary Rowell, who commentates on their games for a local radio station, was also confused by the timing with the club's fate virtually sealed.
He said: "It's been a disastrous season but saying that I'm shocked because the timing seems very strange.
He told Sir Stanley: "We thought when he didn't go a few months ago he would see the season out.
"There's a lot gone wrong - most of his buys haven't come off.
"It was always going to be tough, nobody expected a great deal but to be so far adrift - I don't think anyone expected that."
Rowell called for the board to show their ambition and go for former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill.
He added: "The board have got to meet the challenge and go for the best. If O'Neill turns them down then it is too bad.
"Bob Murray has been under severe pressure all season. Now the ball is firmly in his court. He has got to prove to fans they mean business."
Ball reveals Sunderland ambition Sunderland caretaker manager Kevin Ball has hinted that he would like the job on a permanent basis.
Ball, previously assistant manager at the club's Academy, has been appointed for the last 10 games of the season after the dismissal of Mick McCarthy.
"I've always said that I had aspirations of managing the club," Ball told the club's website.
"I was talking about further down the line and this is unexpected, but when I was asked I thought 'Let's go for it'."
McCarthy was dismissed as manager on Monday with Sunderland 16 points adrift of safety at the bottom of the Premiership table.
And Ball added: "While I have the utmost respect for Mick, this is a big opportunity for me and I'm very proud to be the caretaker manager of Sunderland.
"I captained the club for eight years and I've experienced all the highs and the lows, just like the fans.
"I was out training with the kids when I got a call to go in. The first person I spoke to after being offered the role was my wife, and then I went to speak with the manager.
"Mick just wished me all the best and said he would give me any help I needed. We all know these things happen in football."
Ball will take charge of his first training session on Wednesday ahead of Saturday's home match against Wigan.
But the 41-year-old is refusing to make any predictions about how many points his team can acquire between now and the end of the season.
"I'll have a meeting with the players, have our say and then get out there and train. I'm excited at the prospect," he said.
"People ask me what my aims are. I've always been a great believer in taking one game at a time. We would just like a win, and the sooner the better."
Ball's playing career spanned more than 500 games and in addition to his tenure at Sunderland he also played for Coventry, Portsmouth, Fulham and Burnley.
SirStanleyBowles- 03-10-2006
Ball ready for daunting prospect Caretaker boss Kevin Ball insists he is not daunted by his first game in charge of Sunderland despite the threat of relegation hanging over them.
"I'm aware of the extent of everything and I'm not going to hide from it," Ball told Sir Stanley.
"But ultimately, come Saturday, I'm going to say to the players 'Go out there and enjoy it'.
"We have to do this job to the best of our abilities, and hopefully do it with a smile on our faces."
Ball, who captained the Black Cats and spent nearly a decade on Wearside as a player, admits that taking charge of the team - initially for the rest of the season - has fulfilled a long-term ambition.
"Ever since I was a player, I always said I wanted to manage this club," he insisted.
"That was possibly in tribute to the manager who was here at that time, because I knew how fortunate he was to be in such a great job.
"I've had an affinity with the supporters which has grown over the years, and I've experienced the highs and lows with them - relegation, cup finals, championships and play-off finals - so they mean a great deal to me."
He is also unworried by his rapid elevation to the hot seat at the Stadium of Light, having been introduced to the players at a meeting on Wednesday before taking his first training session.
"I came in on Monday as the Under-18 coach and went home as caretaker manager, so all of a sudden it's here, do I say I'm not ready for it yet?" Ball said.
"I just think I've got to use this experience to my advantage, and make sure everybody at the club enjoys this experience as well.
"I explained to the players that I understood how they felt, as they all had a big affinity with Mick McCarthy.
"But ultimately, I said you have to draw a line under it all and move on, because now it's about them as players, as individuals and as a team.
"They were very positive. We spoke about different things, and agreed we'd move on."
Ball's first game in charge sees Wigan visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday, with the home side eager to improve on a record of 10 points from 28 games.
SirStanleyBowles- 03-12-2006
Sunderland 0-1 Wigan A spectacular goal by Wigan striker Henri Camara consigned Sunderland caretaker manager Kevin Ball to defeat in his first game in charge.
Sunderland's Nyron Nosworthy miscued a clearance on eight minutes and Camara struck with a stunning 20-yard shot.
Wigan keeper John Filan tipped over a volley from Stephen Elliott and saved a Kevin Kyle shot to keep his side ahead.
Jon Stead had a late chance to level but he could not bundle the ball in after Dean Whitehead's parried shot.
The match was the start of a new era for Sunderland but it was the same old story for them as they soon found themselves a goal down after Camara pounced on Nosworthy's defensive mistake.
Frustratingly for the home side, they needed to go a goal down to bring the best out of them while a lack of fortune in front of goal only compounded their misery.
Sunderland striker Elliott should have done better than shoot too close to Filan when he broke clear before he saw a dipping volley tipped over by the Wigan keeper.
Rory Delap had a far-post shot blocked by Filan before Kyle thought he had equalised only for the offside flag justifiably coming to Wigan's rescue.
Another Kyle shot was saved by an inspired Filan before Wigan almost delivered a killer blow to their hosts on the stroke of half-time.
Lee McCulloch side-footed an inswinging free-kick towards goal and it took an instinctive dive at full-length by Sunderland keeper Kelvin Davis to palm his effort wide.
The visitors did not allow Sunderland as much time on the ball after the break with chances for the home side becoming increasingly rare as the game progressed.
Stead had their best chance in injury-time when Whitehead's first-time shot was saved by Filan only for Stead's woes in front of goal to continue as he agonsingly bundled the ball wide.
Sunderland have not won at home in the Premiership this season and were ulimately held at bay in comfortable fashion as they suffered their 23rd league defeat of the campaign.
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Sunderland caretaker-manager Kevin Ball:
"I enjoyed the occasion, albeit I'm disappointed with the final result.
"The players reacted very well to the goal and we created a lot of chances but unfortunately we couldn't hit the back of the net.
"If it wasn't for our goalkeeper we could have been beaten. It was a really impressive performance by John. He made saves at vital time for us.
"We looked tired and the pitch wasn't good but we scrambled away and got three points.
"It would be wonderful to get into Europe but our only aim is to finish the season strongly. I don't want the season to peter out because it doesn't deserve that."
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Sunderland: Davis, Nosworthy, Collins, Caldwell, McCartney, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Delap (Le Tallec 63), Arca (Lawrence 45), Kyle, Elliott (Stead 86).
Subs Not Used: Joe Murphy, Hoyte.
Booked: Kyle.
Wigan: Filan, Chimbonda, Scharner, De Zeeuw, Baines, Teale (Thompson 58), Kavanagh (Ziegler 63), Bullard, McCulloch, Camara (Johansson 82), Roberts.
Subs Not Used: Walsh, Jackson.
Goals: Camara 8.
Att: 31,194
Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).
SirStanleyBowles- 03-18-2006
Bolton v Sunderland Bolton will change their side after a draining extra-time defeat to West Ham, with Joey O'Brien, Bruno N'Gotty and Hidetoshi Nakata in line for a return.
Henrik Pedersen, a substitute at Upton Park, is pushing for a starting place but El-Hadji Diouf is unavailable.
Sunderland defender Gary Breen returns to the squad after a ban, but he may be on the bench with Steve Caldwell and Danny Collins starting at centre-half.
Julio Arca (hamstring) is struggling, while Dan Smith is added to the squad.
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Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Hunt, Jaidi, Ben Haim, N'Gotty, Gardner, Giannakopoulos, Faye, Okocha, Speed, Nolan, Davies, Vaz Te, Pedersen, Walker, Nakata, Borgetti.
Sunderland (from): Davis, Nosworthy, McCartney, Caldwell, D Collins, Lawrence, Delap, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Miller, Arca, Miller, Hoyte, Kyle, Elliott, Alnwick, Breen, Stead, N Collins, Woods, Murphy.
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Bolton manager Sam Allardyce:
"I know Kevin Ball from his days as captain at Sunderland. Peter Reid had a huge amount of respect for him as a captain then.
"He always seemed the type of character who would move into management. When you get an opportunity it can be the one and only opportunity which comes your way and I'm sure he will grasp it with both hands.
"It won't be for lack of trying for Kevin but depends on the players responding to him."
Sunderland caretaker boss Kevin Ball:
"We know what faces us - a team wanting to react to that Cup defeat. They were very unlucky to lose.
"Bolton are a very high tempo team, very physical, and we will have to match that. I have no doubt Sam (Allardyce) will have something up his sleeve and if he feels he needs to change things round, he will do it because he has a decent squad of players.
"They are a side that play to their strengths as well as having some great individual players. It's a difficult game but one that we will be up for."
SirStanleyBowles- 03-20-2006
Bolton 2-0 Sunderland Kevin Davies scored Bolton's 300th Premiership goal to set them on their way to victory over Sunderland.
Black Cats keeper Kelvin Davis made a brilliant first-half save from Davies but could not stop the striker heading home a corner after the break.
Tommy Miller came close to an equaliser for Sunderland but Jussi Jaaskelainen made a good save.
Kevin Nolan doubled Bolton's lead late on, scoring a rebound after Davis had superbly saved a Gary Speed header.
The win maintains Bolton's surge for a European place, while Sunderland have lost both of their games since Kevin Ball took charge.
The home team, who have not lost at the Reebok Stadium since their first home match of the season, started at a good tempo and were soon creating openings.
Davies tried to pick out Ricardo Vaz Te, but Davis made a good claim.
Nolan shot wide after a tidy lay-off from Speed, while Steven Caldwell blocked a header from Davies as the home team looked for an opener.
I reckon Bolton will sneak fourth spot, they have a slightly easier run-in than Arsenal and Spurs
From JP
Have your say on 606
Black Cats keeper Davis made a brilliant point-blank save from Bolton striker Davies after 26 minutes.
Nolan might have scored four minutes before half-time but his lame chip was easily saved.
Bolton's pressure finally told when Davies beat Danny Collins to the ball and headed home Stelios Giannakopoulos' corner for his fifth goal of the season.
Miller, back in the starting line-up, went close for the Black Cats but Speed should have increased Bolton's lead shortly afterwards.
The veteran midfielder came within inches of converting a teasing cross from Okocha, while Davies should have scored his second of the match but headed wide.
Bolton's dominance, though, was rewarded when Nolan finished with the outside of his right boot.
Davis had done brilliantly to prevent Speed converting Davies' cross but could not stop Nolan's strike.
Speed almost extended Bolton's lead with a late free-kick, but Davis made a finger-tip save.
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Bolton manager Sam Allardyce:
"Kevin Nolan is a great example to the team and has a great attitude too.
"He will keep putting his name forward for England and we are still hopeful.
"Kevin is proving himself every week in the Premiership now. You never know what might happen."
Sunderland caretaker manager Kevin Ball:
"It was frustrating because we defended well early on then came out for the second half and conceded a goal that could have been prevented.
"People in certain areas have to look at themselves because we did not do enough to stop it.
"Confidence is in short supply but by the same token that does not mean you cannot then roll your sleeves up."
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Bolton: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, N'Gotty, Ben Haim, Gardner (Pedersen 30), Vaz Te (Borgetti 65), Nolan, Okocha (Faye 87), Speed, Giannakopoulos, Davies.
Subs Not Used: Walker, Nakata.
Booked: Nolan.
Goals: Davies 47, Nolan 85.
Sunderland: Davis, Nosworthy, Caldwell, Collins, McCartney, Delap, Whitehead, Miller, Leadbitter (Breen 72), Smith (Daryl Murphy 57), Kyle (Brown 63).
Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Bassila.
Booked: Kyle, Delap, Breen, Brown.
Att: 23,568
Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).
SirStanleyBowles- 03-27-2006
Sunderland 0-1 Blackburn Blackburn kept up their charge for a Champions League spot by getting the better of a spirited Sunderland side.
An individual goal from Steven Reid on 15 minutes proved the match-winner with the midfielder firing home after running half the length of the pitch.
Bottom-placed Sunderland, without a home win in the league this season, showed plenty of heart after the break.
Liam Lawrence went close with a 20-yard free-kick, but a lack of cutting edge proved the hosts' downfall.
There was little action at either end in the opening stages before in-form Blackburn broke the deadlock with their first attack on the quarter hour mark.
Reid picked up the ball on the half-way line and ran at Sunderland's shaky back-line. And, with no red and white shirts closing him down, the Republic of Ireland midfielder carried the ball to the edge of the box before drilling a right-foot shot past Kelvin Davis.
Sunderland were slightly edging the possession stakes, but a lack of cutting edge in the final third proved their downfall.
Dean Whitehead saw his close-range effort blocked and Grant Leadbitter had his piledriver deflected for a corner.
At the other end, Blackburn's top goalscorer Craig Bellamy sparked into life on the half hour mark when he flashed an effort across the face of goal.
The Lancashire side were gradually exerting their control on the game and would have doubled their advantage were it not for the outstanding athleticism of Davis who finger-tipped Emerton's header away.
Yet the basement side could have given themselves a lifeline on the stroke of half-time when they tested Rovers' keeper Brad Friedel for the first time.
Rory Delap's well-directed header from Julio Arca's whipped in centre, however, was well held by the American shot-stopper.
Friedel then thwarted Jon Stead after the re-start when he blocked George McCartney's low cross. But Blackburn, minus the suspended Robbie Savage, were looking dangerous on the counter-attack as Bellamy dragged his 18-yard effort wide of the post.
A lively start to the second half continued as Sunderland's Brown was presented with a super chance to draw things level from a one-on-one opportunity, but he saw his low drive blocked by Friedel.
Sunderland showed much determination and spirit in an improved second-half showing, but again their lack of punch upfront was all too evident.
The Black Cats, in fact, laid siege to the Blackburn goal in the latter stages but despite a Lawrence 20-yard free-kick and minutes later a low shot from the same player, they could not find a way past a resolute Blackburn rear-guard.
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Sunderland caretaker boss Kevin Ball: "We started the game very well and after conceding the goal the way we did, it's important you get a reaction and I thought we did that.
"It was just that elusive goal we needed to give the players and everybody involved a lift.
"It wasn't going to come today."
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes:
"We are delighted to have got this fixture out of the way.
"We had to withstand a little bit of pressure towards the end of the game, and they got a few balls into the box that we had to deal with.
"But for the majority of the game, we coped well with balls into the box."
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Sunderland: Davis, Hoyte, Caldwell (Breen 64), Collins, McCartney, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Delap (Lawrence 73), Arca, Brown, Stead (Kyle 66).
Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Daryl Murphy.
Booked: Leadbitter, Hoyte, Whitehead, Arca.
Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Nelsen, Khizanishvili, Gray, Emerton (Bentley 64), Tugay (Mokoena 64), Reid, Pedersen, Bellamy (Kuqi 70), Dickov.
Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Todd.
Booked: Gray.
Goals: Reid 15.
Att: 29,593
Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
SirStanleyBowles- 03-29-2006
Quinn 'considers Sunderland bid' Former Sunderland striker Niall Quinn is interested in putting together a bid to buy the struggling Premiership outfit, Sir Stanley understands.
Current chairman Bob Murray has said he will sell his 56.8% stake in the club - if the right offer comes along.
Quinn - who played for Sunderland between 1996 and 2002 - is understood to have spent several weeks looking at the viability of making a bid.
But it is not thought the 39-year-old has yet opened talks with Murray.
Sunderland have had a disastrous return to the Premiership after winning the Championship last season, picking up only 10 points and winning only two games in their 31 games so far.
They could be relegated as early as this Saturday, should they drop points at Everton and West Brom beat Liverpool.
The Sportsman newspaper has said that speculation Quinn was keen on joining forces with horse racing magnate JP McManus was wide of the mark.
Sunderland are yet to comment on the rumours.
SirStanleyBowles- 04-02-2006
Everton 2-2 Sunderland Rory Delap's late equaliser earned Sunderland a well-deserved point and delayed their Premiership relegation.
Sunderland knew a defeat could send them down and Everton went ahead after five minutes when Leon Osman turned in from close range after five minutes.
Jon Stead's first goal for a year put them level, but James McFadden scored from Phil Neville's long throw to put Everton back in front after 26 minutes.
But Delap headed home Dean Whitehead's cross with only 10 minutes left.
Sunderland started the day knowing the wrong sequence of results could send them back into the Championship and they made the worst possible start by going behind early on.
Gary Naysmith's cross found James Beattie, and when his half-hit shot was missed by Simon Davies, Osman provided a vital deflection to beat Kelvin Davis.
But Sunderland responded well and they deserved their equaliser 10 minutes later through the goal-starved Stead.
The striker had a 20-yard shot well saved by Everton keeper Richard Wright, but from Grant Leadbitter's resulting corner, the ball was nodded on by Chris Brown for Stead to score his first goal for the club.
Stead's strike visibly lifted Sunderland's spirits, but they were undone by another poor piece of defending as Everton restored their lead.
Neville's long throw was allowed to reach McFadden only six yards out, and he turned to beat Davis easily.
Everton, who had been unimpressive, almost added a third seven minutes before half-time when Tim Cahill's 20-yard drive was well saved by Davis.
And McFadden was denied by the woodwork five minutes after the break, his header bouncing to safety off the bar following Beattie's flick from a Cahill cross.
Sunderland were not playing like a side whose Premiership fate is sealed, but a lack of quality going forward meant they were unable to carve out any clear cut chances.
But they got the equaliser they deserved with nine minutes left, Delap stealing in at the far post to head Dean Whitehead's cross past Wright.
And Delap almost snatched a dramatic win for Sunderland when his rising 30-yard drive beat Wright but rebounded to safety off the upright.
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Everton manager David Moyes:
"We got a good start, but overall I was never really that pleased with the way we were playing, even when we were leading at half-time.
"I thought we played a little bit better after that but if you don't get that third goal you are always going to be under pressure.
"I thought we abused some good opportunities and they came back to haunt us.
"We had great chances to put the game out of reach but didn't take them. We are frustrated because this was an opportunity to take more points."
Sunderland caretaker manager Kevin Ball:
"The players kept going and going and got their rewards. We could have had a winner because Rory Delap's strike was one of the best I've seen.
"When it hit the post I looked to the heavens and said 'come on give us a break', but to be fair there were times near the end when Everton put us under a lot of pressure.
"It was nice to celebrate a goal at last and I felt we fully deserved our point."
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Everton: Wright, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Naysmith (Ferguson 86), Osman, Cahill, Neville, Davies (Arteta 62), McFadden, Beattie.
Subs Not Used: Turner, Weir, Carsley.
Goals: Osman 5, McFadden 26.
Sunderland: Davis, Hoyte, Breen, Danny Collins, McCartney, Lawrence (Le Tallec 69), Whitehead, Leadbitter, Delap, Stead (Smith 84), Brown (Daryl Murphy 75).
Subs Not Used: Joe Murphy, Neill Collins.
Goals: Stead 16, Delap 80.
SirStanleyBowles- 04-06-2006
Quinn hopeful of Sunderland deal Former Sunderland striker Niall Quinn remains hopeful of securing the funds to try to buy the club before the end of the season, BBC Sport understands.
The former Republic of Ireland striker has yet to approach Black Cats chairman Bob Murray about a deal.
But the 39-year-old is continuing his attempts to put together a consortium that could come up with the money needed to take control of the club.
Murray has admitted he is willing to sell - if the right offer comes along.
The chairman and majority shareholder has come under severe pressure from fans of the club, who are about £40m in debt and are rooted to the foot of the Premiership.
While any takeover seems to be in the early stages, Quinn is hopeful of coming up with the funds in time to gain control before the start of next season.
He was a hugely popular figure during his six-year spell at the club, during which time Sunderland twice finished seventh in the Premiership.
The former Arsenal and Manchester City star was handed a testimonial by the Wearsiders and donated the entire proceeds to charity, leading to a wing at Sunderland Royal Hospital being named after him.
He once said: "I learned my trade at Arsenal, became a footballer at Manchester City but Sunderland got under my skin. It hurt me deeply to leave."
Quinn has remained close to the club since leaving and continues to enjoy a good relationship with Murray, although he is thought to be keen for a clean slate - should his takeover prove successful.
He has also been linked with a management role at Sunderland, who sacked coach Mick McCarthy in March and put Kevin Ball in temporary charge of the team.
Although former Republic of Ireland forward Quinn has taken some of his Uefa coaching badges, he has previously shown little interest in a move into management.
Quinn, who has forged a career as a successful television pundit as well as writing a weekly column for a national newspaper, is unable to comment on his plans because he has signed a confidentiality agreement.
Sunderland confirmed last week they have had no offers from anyone for the club.
SirStanleyBowles- 04-07-2006
Sunderland v Fulham Sunderland have several injury problems with Julio Arca, Steve Caldwell and Stephen Elliott all battling against hamstring problems.
Kevin Kyle is unlikely to play after suffering scalding in a domestic accident, while Nyron Nosworthy has a dead leg.
Fulham should welcome back keeper Antti Niemi and midfielder Papa Bouba Diop after lengthy injury absences.
Michael Brown is banned, but Ian Pearce and Mark Pembridge are both included.
Sunderland (from): Davis, J Murphy, Hoyte, D. Collins, Breen, N Collins, McCartney, Smith, Bassila, Whitehead, Delap, Leadbitter, Lawrence, Miller, Le Tallec, Stead, Brown, D Murphy.
Fulham (from): Niemi, Warner, Crossley, Voltz, Knight, Pearce, Christanval, Bridge, Rosenior, Malbranque, Elliott, Diop, Pembridge, Boa Morte, Radzinski, McBride, Helguson, John.
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Sunderland caretaker boss Kevin Ball:
"I've got a lot of admiration for the Fulham team and their manager Chris Coleman.
"We know full well it's going to be a very hard game because there are times when Fulham have shown everybody what a decent team they are.
"But it is up to us to go out and have a right go."
Fulham manager Chris Coleman:
"Their boss Kevin Ball is a good friend of mine and we both played in the same side.
"But on Saturday we will put the friendship aside because we are desperate to get an away victory.
"We still need a couple of points to get to 40 points which should mean we are safe from relegation."
SirStanleyBowles- 04-09-2006
Snowstorm ends Sunderland match Sunderland's Premiership match against Fulham was abandoned after 21 minutes because of bad weather conditions at the Stadium of Light.
Heavy snow had made the pitch heavy and difficult to play on leaving referee Mike Riley with little choice but to bring the players off the pitch.
Fulham striker Brian McBride had put the visitors in front after converting a square ball from Steed Malbranque.
Birmingham's draw meant Sunderland kept alive their slim Premiership hopes.
But many, including those closely connected to the Wearside club, have thought it is only a matter of time before their relegated status is confirmed.
Sunderland had been hoping to record their first home win of the season, and against lowly-placed Fulham, there was more than just a faint hope of ending the unwanted record.
However, high winds and heavy snow meant that any chances created would be likely to come from poor defending or a slip.
A slip ended Rory Delap's participation in the match after 10 minutes when he clashed with fellow Sunderland player George McCartney on the touchline.
Delap was taken off after sustaining a facial injury and replaced by Tommy Miller, but only after McBride had given Fulham the lead from eight yards after beginning the move from outside the area.
Sunderland's defenders were unable to reach McBride in time partly because of the heavy pitch under foot, allowing the American to take full advantage.
The snow continued to fall heavily and after the third consultation with fourth official Eddie Ilderton, and with Sunderland caretaker boss Kevin Ball and Fulham manager Chris Coleman, Riley decided to abandon the game.
Ball said he felt Riley had no choice but to call the game off.
"I was standing in the technical area and at times I couldn't see across the pitch," he said.
"I was getting pelted with - I don't know whether you would call it snow, ice or God knows what - but they were the biggest lumps I've ever been hit with.
"In the end, the safety of the players is of paramount importance, and it was getting to the stage then where I think he had no choice. I think he made the right decision.
"(Fulham boss) Chris (Coleman) and I had a laugh and a chat about it because he was 1-0 up, but he would have no complaints."
Riley said he took the option to stop the match because he did not want to put the players at risk.
"It was pretty exceptional weather conditions. When we went out before the game we could see standing water," said the referee.
"As the game went on the snow continued to fall, the pitch got wetter and wetter and it was obviously becoming dangerous to the players.
"The longer it went on, the more likely that players would slip and slide and be injured and you don't want that."
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Sunderland: Davis, Hoyte, Breen, Danny Collins, McCartney, Lawrence, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Delap (Miller 9), Brown, Stead.
Subs Not Used: Carson, Nosworthy, Kyle, Daryl Murphy.
Fulham: Niemi, Rosenior, Knight, Pearce, Bridge, Malbranque, Diop, Elliott, Boa Morte, Helguson, McBride.
Subs Not Used: Crossley, Volz, Radzinski, John, Christanval.
Goals: McBride 9.
Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).
Abandoned - because of waterlogged pitch
