Sunderland defeat sets up Sunday showdown

Sunderland will face a battle for survival on Sunday after Portsmouth came from 1-0 down to win 3-1 at Fratton Park. Kenwyne Jones had put Sunderland ahead on the hour mark, but defensive errors cost the visitors yet again as they crumbled to defeat.

The result means Sunderland need to beat Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Sunday to be assured of survival. But Hull and Newcastle are the only teams that can relegate them with positive results, and both face tricky matches. Hull host Champions Manchester United and Newcastle travel to Aston Villa.

The first half was a tense affair, with the hosts happy to sit back, although they almost took the lead when Peter Crouch’s header struck the post early on.

Sunderland also hit the woodwork, when Jones climbed highest to nod goalwards, but the ball bounced back off the upright. Malbranque mis-hit a good chance from Kieran Richardson’s centre, but it was a half of little quality and few chances.

When Sunderland took the lead it was against the run of play. Portsmouth had failed to profit from a string of corners, and eventually centre-back Calum Davenport strode out of defence with the ball at his feet before powering down the right wing.

The loanee then sent over a delightful ball for Jones to stab home at the far post in front of the away end to send the travelling Mackems into ecstasy. But the lead lasted a matter of seconds.

John Utaka burst into the box for the hosts, and despite referee Alan Wiley seeming to blow for a penalty after a shirt pull from Davenport, he finished well into the corner across the goalkeeper to level the scores. That goal knocked the wind out of Sunderland and minutes later Portsmouth effectively killed the game off.

A long punt down the pitch from deputising goalkeeper Asmir Begovic left Anton Ferdinand in trouble, the centre-back’s attempt to clear the ball failing miserably, allowing Utaka to go one-on-one with Fulop in the Sunderland goal.

Utaka rounded Fulop but looked to have lost his balance before the finish, but it didn’t matter as Phil Bardsley slid in to score into his own net and give Portsmouth the lead.

Sunderland pressed for an equaliser, throwing on Djibril Cisse, but another header from Jones was the closest they came, Begovic gathering comfortably. And Portsmouth scored again on the break, Utaka finding substitute Armand Traore who strode forward under no pressure from Bardsley before finishing well across Fulop into the corner.

All three North East clubs will now face a nerve-wracking Sunday afternoon, knowing that at least one of them will join West Bromwich Albion in being relegated to the Championship.

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