Sunderland
2-2
Fulham

Gardner (37' pen.), Sessegnon (70')

FT(HT: 1-2)

Riether (34'), Berbatov (16' pen.)

Build-up

Sunderland comeback denies Fulham victory

By Liam Power, Reporter | 02 March 2013

Sunderland respond to going 2-0 down in the early going at home to Fulham and earn a point late on thanks to Stephane Sessegnon.

Sunderland recovered from 2-0 down to earn a point against Fulham at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

Fulham's Dimitar Berbatov scores a penalty against Sunderland on March 2, 2013 © AP Photos

Fulham built a two-goal lead early on thanks to Dimitar Berbatov and Sascha Riether but were denied all three points by a spirited Black Cats fightback.

The visitors took the lead early on from the penalty spot after Ashkan Dejagah was brought down by Craig Gardner.

After initially appearing to wave away Fulham protests, referee Mark Halsey elected to award a spot kick.

Fulham players celebrate with goalscorer Dimitar Berbatov after he converted a penalty kick against sunderland on March 2, 2013 © PA Photos

Berbatov coolly slotted his penalty past Simon Mignolet for his 10th goal of the season.

Fulham claimed a two-goal advantage after 33 minutes when Sascha Riether stormed forward to turn home Dejagah's cross on the counter.

Fulham's Sascha Rirther celebrates scoring Fulham's second goal with teammates on March 2, 2013 © Owen Humphreys / PA Photos

Sunderland were handed a lifeline just two minutes later when Halsey pointed to the spot for a second time.

Sunderland's Craig Gardner celebrates after scoring his sides first goal against Fulham on March 2, 2013 © PA Photos

Phillipe Senderos looked bemused after being penalised for a push in the area, with Garnder making no mistake from the spot to reduce the deficit.

On the hour, Sunderland equalised after breaking quickly when Berbatov was denied by Mignolet from point-blank range.

The Mackems got forward in numbers and Stephane Sessegnon was rewarded when he fired home Adam Johnson's deflected cross.

Martin O'Neill's men pressed for a winner in the closing stages but had to settle for a point as Fulham stayed strong.