Cats slump to another home defeat

Sunderland slipped to their 4th defeat in 5 games and yet another home defeat thanks to a deflected Valon Behrami shot.

West Hams goal came against the run of play when the ball fell to Behrami on the edge of the area, his first touch cleverly taking it past Richardson before his goalbound shot was deflected up into the net past the stranded Fulop.

The main talking point of the match was when Djibril Cisse was played through on goal by a clever flick from Malbranque and appeared to be wrestled down to the ground by James Collins, who was also last man. However, referee Mike Dean thought differently and waved played on,much to Sunderland fans anger.

Moments before he had also turned down another strong penalty appeal against Jones, when from an Andy Reid free kick he was grappled down the floor, again by Collins, which was not spotted by the referee or his assistant.

West Ham had a great chance to double their advantage when a terrible mistake on the half way life by defender Anton Ferdinand allowed Craig Bellamy to a free run on goal, however, instead of sliding the ball past the advancing keeper, he was forced wide by Fulop before pulling the ball back to Behrami who somehow managed to hit the cross bar from the six yard box.

Sunderland continued to dominate possession in the 2nd half, without testing keeper Robert Green, on what was to be another dissapointing result at the Stadium of Light this season. This result sees West Ham rise to 13th while Sunderland slip to 16th.