Sunderland 0 // Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Lee Cattermole (Sunderland)
SUNDERLAND // Manchester United's away league form showed no signs of improving yesterday as they were battered for much of the first half at Sunderland and had goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to thank for earning them a point.
United have drawn all four of their away games this season. Yet Sir Alex Ferguson, their manager, pronounced himself content with yesterday's result, at least. "Sunderland had the most chances in the game and I have to say we were fantastic defensively," Ferguson said.
"That's the area in which we have been leaking goals and throwing games away this season, so I am pleased with that. It was a very determined Sunderland team, their home record this season has been very, very good, so I am not pleased but I am satisfied." Ferguson struck a surprise with his team selection. With Wayne Rooney left at home with an ankle injury - though the striker had declared himself fit - the United manager kept Dimitar Berbatov, scorer of six league goals already, and Javier Hernandez, the midweek matchwinner at Valencia, on the bench. In their place were Michael Owen, who equalised in last week's 2-2 draw at Bolton Wanderers, and Federico Macheda, the young Italian.
It was far from United's strongest attacking line-up, with Patrice Evra also out at left-back, and perhaps therefore no surprise that United struggled to create a chance in the first half. They were dominated by Sunderland, and Van der Sar made a vital save from Steed Malbranque, after the midfielder was played through by Lee Cattermole. Also, Bolo Zenden hit a post from the edge of the area. Said Ferguson: "We had no attacking purpose in the first 25 minutes of the match. It wasn't until towards the end of the first half that we got any semblance of keeping possession of the ball."
Ferguson replaced the ineffectual Michael Owen with Berbatov at half-time and United looked more threatening in the second period as the Bulgarian had a 48th-minute strike correctly ruled out for offside.
United threw on Hernandez and Portuguese prospect Bebe and either side might have snatched victory as the game opened up in the final minutes. Asked about his side's failure to win a league game on the road, Ferguson said: "It's a concern, the first three. I can't class today's as a disappointment because we had to battle to get the point today. But we have thrown the other three away."
Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, had mixed emotions as he looked back on a committed display but also another missed opportunity to win for the first time as a manager against his former club and former boss.
Even a 20-minute delay to the game after a pipe burst in the United dressing room did not dent the visitors' resilience. Sunderland have also drawn against Arsenal and Liverpool in recent weeks and Bruce said: "With a bit of luck ... we have said that for two or three weeks now. However, if I am going to be critical, we have to probably take one of those chances. Against these teams, you don't get many.
"I have being going for years to try to beat [Ferguson] and I thought today might have been the day. We even tried to sabotage the toilets," he said in jest. "That didn't quite work either." Asked if his side's preparations had been disrupted, Ferguson said: "A little bit, not much. It was just one of those accidents, and the Sunderland staff were fantastic."
* Press Association
OTHER MATCHES:
Wigan Athletic 2 Wolves 0
Red card Henry (Wolves)
Mick McCarthy made no attempt to defend the tackle by Karl Henry that earned his captain a red card and set Wigan on the way to a valuable win at the DW Stadium. The midfielder was sent off for a scything challenge on Jordi Gomez after only 11 minutes, with the Spaniard then opening the scoring with a brilliant free kick. "It's ill-judged, it's mistimed – it's very theatrical," McCarthy, the Wolves coach, said.
Birmingham City 0 Everton 2
Everton Johnson (og) 54',
Cahill 90+3'
David Moyes, the Everton manager, saw his side move off the bottom of the table – but believes their performances this season have merited a greater reward. Everton registered their first league win of the campaign and in doing so brought an end to Birmingham's 13-month unbeaten home record spanning 18 games. Moyes said: "People who have watched us said our performances have not merited where we are in the league."
Stoke City 1 Blackburn Rovers 0
Stoke City Walters 48'
Jon Walters rewarded Sam Allardyce, the first manager to hand him a professional contract, by condemning his Blackburn side to defeat. Stoke's summer signing scored his first Premier League goal in the 47th minute. Walters, 27, started his career at Bolton under Allardyce and his former manager said: "Jon has done exceptionally well. It is down to his dedication and hard work. Obviously I am gutted he scored today because it has won them the game."
West Brom 1 Bolton Wanderers 1
West Brom Morrison 78'
Bolton Elmander 64'
Owen Coyle claimed the goal that denied his side victory at West Bromwich Albion should have been disallowed. West Brom equalised when Peter Odemwingie flighted a cross for James Morrison, who headed home with 12 minutes left. Coyle, the Bolton manager, said: "The disappointment for me is that with the goal that they scored, Odemwingie is clearly offside in the middle of the park when the ball is played through."