March 15 2014

Julian Speroni (Photo: Andy Roberts)

Crystal Palace claimed a precious point in their bid to stay up away at relegation rivals Sunderland.

Despite soaking up pressure for most of the 90 minutes, they hung on for a draw and kept a clean sheet in the process.

The Black Cats started in a bright fashion with full-back Marcos Alonso shooting at Julian Speroni, then Fabio Borini volleyed acrobatically off target.

In a scrappy game hampered by the blustery conditions, referee Neil Swarbrick booked Adrian Mariappa and Joel Ward early on and a further six players were shown yellow between both sides.

Steven Fletcher went off injured at the break and his replacement Jozy Altidore produced the best chance of the game, forcing Speroni to push over his strike.

Borini blasted wide, and then with seven minutes left, drove a shot against the bar from Ki Sung-yueng's pass as the hosts went in search of a winner.

And in the last minute, Kagisho Dikgacoi wasted three points for Palace by somehow blasting a close-range shot past the post when it would have been easier to score. A shocking miss from the South African.

Sunderland: Mannone, Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Alonso, Bridcutt, Johnson (Scocco 84), Larsson (Gardner 62), Ki, Borini, Fletcher (Altidore 46).

Not used: Colback, Vergini, Cattermole, Ustari.

Palace: Speroni, Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Bolasie (Puncheon 80), Jedinak, Dikgacoi, Ledley, Ince (Guedioura 74), Murray (Jerome 63).

Not used: McCarthy, Thomas, Gayle, Hennessey.

2013/14 squad stats

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