Sunderland vs. West Ham United

Steve Bruce's team looked dead and buried as Guillermo Franco and Carlton Cole put West Ham in control at the Stadium of Light.

Andy Reid got one back for Sunderland before the break but the hosts were in trouble again when Kenwyne Jones was sent off for violent conduct just before half-time. Kieran Richardson tapped home a cross from the returning Darren Bent to equalize.

Sunderland's leading scorer Darren Bent came close to an early goal when Lorik Cana picked out the former Tottenham striker and he nodded just wide.

But West Ham were quickly into their stride and Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon had to save Mark Noble's curling strike from the edge of the penalty area.

The visitors went ahead against the run of play in the 30th minute when Jack Collison ran on to a ball down the right channel and, having been correctly ruled onside, pulled it back for Franco, a summer signing from Villarreal, to side-foot home at the near post.

Paulo Da Silva was causing problems all through the first half with his crossing ability, and Radoslav Kovac had to be alive to clear just four minute later as Sunderland looked to get back on level terms. However, it wasn't long before it was 2-0.

Sunderland simply had to hit back before half-time, and they did from a sweet free kick in the 39th minute. Andy Reid struck the ball from just outside the box straight into the top right hand corner, and Steve Bruce's men were right back in the game.

Their hopes of getting back level, though, were dealt a major blow in the final minute of the half as Kenwyne Jones saw red for violent conduct after a tangle with Ilunga.

The Black Cats came desperately close in the 65th minute when Cana's header after a Reid corner came back off the crossbar and, from the rebound, Paula Da Silva's header was tipped on to the bar and behind by Green.

With 15 minutes left, the goal the home side craved finally came their way, with Keiran Richardson getting on the score sheet close in to the left corner of the goal.

West Ham were reduced to 10 men and Kovac was sent off, having picked up a second yellow for a foul on Bent.

Bent had a chance to win it moments later but lashed his left-footed effort well wide, then Sunderland needed a goal line clearance from Turner to deny Noble in a dramatic finish.