A goal from Steven Fletcher has given Sunderland a 1-0 lead at the halfway stage of their Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.

© Getty Images

The visitors should have found themselves down to 10 men inside the first minute of the match when Fraizer Campbell burst through the defence before being fouled by Santiago Vergini, but the referee waved away their appeals.

Palace continued to dominate the opening exchanges, but it was Sunderland who took the lead just past the half-hour mark when Fletcher headed in Patrick van Aanholt's cross.

Moments later the hosts had another shout for a penalty after Wilfried Zaha went down under pressure from Van Aanholt, but again the referee decided to play on.

Fletcher then threatened to add a second goal when he turned and fired in a powerful strike from just inside the box, but Julian Speroni beat away his attempt.

On the stroke of half time Vergini saw a fierce effort kept out by Speroni as Sunderland maintained their lead going into the break.