Sunderland and Blackburn look set to break the world record for the number of times two sides can play each other in one season after a goalless draw in the FA cup on Saturday means the sides will meet for a fifth time in a replay.

It was a dull affair with the lads not creating too many chances but on a few occasions doing their best to create chances for the visitors.

As expected due to injuries, suspensions and a game Tuesday night there were several changes to the Sunderland eleven. Fulop kept his place in goal behind a reshuffled back four of Bardo right back, Collins left back and Ferdinand and Chimbonda at centre half. In midfield Malbranque (left), Reid, Leadbitter and Edwards (right). Up front Healy and Chopra.

Blackburn fielded a strong looking side and started the game better than us and forced a corner. After Sunderland settled we played some decent football down the left hand side with Collins and Malbranque combining well.

Grant Leadbitter, who captained the side had a few strikes from long range and then Healy forced Robinson into a double save a after a good shot on the turn. The lads had a decent looking shout for a penalty before half time when Leadbitter was tripped in the box but the ref waved away the appeals.

Blackburn’s best effort of the first half came when some slack Sunderland defending allowed Pedersen a shot on goal but Pascal Chimbonda did brilliantly to clear off the line.

After the break, as in the home league game this season Blackburn started getting on top but the back four and goalkeeper looked pretty solid. Sunderland looked to have taken the lead with half an hour to go when Healy slotted into the bottom corner but he was adjudged offside.

The second half also saw a welcome return for George McCartney who replaced Phil Bardsley and soon after Kenwyne Jones replaced Healy.

Malbranque was guilty of missing a good opportunity after Jones had teed him up but the Frenchman’s shot was blasted miles over. Blackburn and Pedersen missed another good opportunity after Ferdinand made a blunder but the shot was off target.

As the game fizzled out we missed our best chance when Chimbonda and Edwards combined down the right hand side but Chimbonda failed to convert Edwards’ cross.

Final Score – Sunderland 0 Blackburn 0

ALS Man of the Match – Pascal Chimbonda – closely followed by Danny Collins

Aidan Crowe

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