Fulham must play for an hour with ten men after Brede Hangeland was dismissed for serious foul play on 30 minutes.
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Hangeland was penalised for a two-footed lunge on Lee Cattermole on the half-hour mark, forcing Martin Jol to change tactics before the break.
Philippe Senderos was introduced as defensive cover at the expense of Giorgos Karagounis.
Jol had already been forced into an early change after Alex Kacaniklic was withdrawn through injury in favour of Hugo Rodallega.
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Sunderland rarely threatened but allowed a superb chance to go begging minutes before the break.
Stephane Sessegnon raced into an advanced position but failed to find Steven Fletcher, who mas waiting unmarked at the back post.
Dimitar Berbatov had Fulham's best chance of the opening period but failed to find the target from an acute angle.
