January 6 2001

FA Cup

The Eagles held Sunderland to a 0-0 draw, despite missing four first team players because of suspensions.

Tommy Black, Fan Zhiyi, Neil Ruddock and Jamie Smith were all banned for this FA Cup tie.

Both sides had good chances at the start of the game but Sunderland should have gone 1-0 up after 13 minutes, but Danny Dichio missed a Hutchinson cross from six yards.

Morrison had a good opportunity to open the score on six minutes, but his header went wide.

Sunderland started well in the second half, but Palace keeper Alex Kolinko kept his goal clean preventing Rae, Hutchison, Gavin McCann and Stefan Schwarz from scoring.

In the 57th minute, Hayden Mullins received a red card from referee Mike Riley for an angry reaction towards Sunderland's McCann.

Seconds later, Dougie Freedman could have headed Palace in front but his attempt was saved by Sunderland keeper Sorensen.

Eleven minutes from time, Sunderland were down to ten men when Varga got sent off for a professional foul on Freedman.

No goals were scored in the remaining time, so the two teams will meet again in a replay at Selhurst Park on Wednesday, January 17.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Williams (Kilbane 66), Varga, Thome, Schwarz, Hutchison, Rae, McCann, Phillips, Dichio (Quinn 77).

Subs not used: Macho, Craddock, Thirlwell.

Palace: Kolinko, Austin, Harrison, Frampton, Rodger, Carlisle, Rubins, Thomson, Mullins, Freedman, Morrison (Forssell 73).

Subs not used: Gray, Gregg, Hankin, Kabba.