TWO DEBUT goals from new-signing Steven Fletcher weren’t enough to earn Sunderland their first league win of the season at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon.
Sunderland handed league debuts to Fletcher and Adam Johnson with Jack Colback replacing the now-departed Kieran Richardson at left-back. Sebastian Larsson started in the centre of midfield once more.
As anticipated Swansea kept faith with the same XI which beat West Ham United last time out.
Fletcher pounced on an Ashley Williams error in the 40th minute to hand Martin O’Neill’s side the lead in south Wales before Wayne Routledge levelled the scores just five minutes later.
Parity was even more short-lived than the Black Cats’ initial lead as Fletcher bagged Sunderland’s second from close-range. In the 66th minute Michu grabbed his fourth of the season and Michael Laudrup’s side a share of the points with a header to tie the score up at 2-2.
The Swans held on for a point despite the sending off of Spanish central defender Chico Flores with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Left-back Neil Taylor had earlier left the field with a suspected broken ankle, exiting on a stretcher with the aide of an oxygen mask.
Vital Sunderland would like to wish Taylor a speedy recovery.
Swansea City: Vorm; Rangel, Flores, Williams (c), Taylor (Davies); Dyer, de Guzman, Britton, Routledge (Tate); Michu (Ki); Graham.
Subs not used: Tremmel (GK), Agustien, Moore & Schecter.
Sunderland: Mignolet; Gardner, O’Shea, Cuellar, Colback; Johnson, Cattermole (c) (Meyler), Larsson, McClean; Sessegnon (Campbell); Fletcher (Saha).
Subs not used: Westwood (GK), Ji, Kilgallon & Bramble.
Attendance: 20 350
Referee: Mr R East.
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