Sunderland 0-0 Burnley: Premier League duo headed for unwanted replay after stalemate
- Sunderland and Burnley will meet again at Turf Moor a week on Tuesday after cancelling each-other out
- Vito Mannone made a good stop from Sam Vokes after the forward had been set free by Scott Arfield
- Jack Rodwell was the home side's biggest threat in the first half, firing narrowly wide on two occasions
- James Tarkowski rose high in the the box to meet a corner but his header cannoned back off the post
It is an early entry, but this could well rank as one of the most forgettable matches of 2017.
Not even two Premier League clubs - both fielding strong starting XIs - could produce anything bordering on entertainment.
An advert for the FA Cup? It should only be shown after the watershed if so, for this was gruesome.
Sunderland and Burnley cancelled each-other out in a scrappy game that featured few clear-cut chances
Sunderland manager David Moyes cut a frustrated figure as his team headed towards an unwanted replay
Vokes of Burnley (right) sees his shot saved by Vito Mannone (left) of Sunderland during the first half
A fantastic slide-rule pass from Scott Arfield put Vokes (left) through on goal but Mannone (right) was equal to his effort
James Tarkowski watches on as his header from a corner cannons back off the post during the second half
The team-sheets - which included Sunderland star man Jermain Defoe and Joey Barton, making his second debut for Burnley - had indicated a winning intent. That, though, failed to play out on the park.
The home fans had even stopped booing pantomime villain Barton - formerly of Newcastle - come the end, such was their increasing boredom.
Barton quit Turf Moor in the summer despite helping the Clarets to promotion but, after seeing his contract terminated following a disastrous and turbulent spell at Rangers, he re-signed for Sean Dyche’s men on January 2. The 34-year-old looks as if he’s enjoyed one too many deep-fried Mars bars north of the border but, in fairness, his passing was one of the few highlights here, even if it was efficient as opposed to incisive.
As for the other headline act, Defoe wore the look of a man who would have preferred to be rested. Sunderland have seen off interest from West Ham this week and their top marksman looks set to remain at the Stadium of Light for the remainder of the season, but he never looked like adding to his 11-goal tally here.
Burnley were first to show. Johann Berg Gudmundsson centred from the right and Andre Gray swept a first-time shot over the crossbar.
Jack Rodwell is without a win in 34 league starts since signing for Sunderland but he has at least tasted victory in the cups and the £10million midfielder came within an inch of smashing the opener, his 20-yard drive shaving the base of the post.
That was as close as Sunderland came during an otherwise unimaginative first half and it was Burnley who fashioned the best chance. Scott Arfield’s measured through-ball put Sam Vokes in the clear but Vito Mannone was off his line in a flash and did well to block the forward’s attempted dink.
Defoe had been anonymous in the opening period, save for a pop at team-mate Adnan Januzaj, who had failed to pass to the striker when he peeled off the shoulder of Burnley’s centre-backs.
Joey Barton shows his frustration during an extremely tight opening half in the FA Cup third round clash
Veteran English striker Jermain Defoe (2nd right) is closed down by three Burnley defenders
Defoe (right) sees his left footed shot blocked by Michael Keane of Burnley (left)
It was Rodwell who looked Sunderland’s best bet for a breakthrough and he saw a rising strike from distance flipped over the crossbar by Nick Pope on 51 minutes.
At the other end defender Jason Denayer twice had to be on his guard to intercept inside the six-yard area after Michael Kightly had broken free down the right and delivered.
Burnley were enjoying the better of the attacking play - although even that was minimal - and centre-back James Tarkowski headed against the post from Steven Defour’s corner.
And that was that. But the worst news? They’ve got to do it all again a week on Tuesday.
After the match, Sunderland manager David Moyes said: ‘We conceded terrible goals at Burnley in a poor game (a 4-1 defeat). This time, it was just a poor game without the goals.’
Burnley’s Sean Dyche added: ‘There were a lot of positives from my group.’ We’ll take his word for that.
Burnley's Stephen Ward (centre) attempts to clear the ball from the ground with Adnan Januzaj (right) closing in
English midfielder Jack Rodwell (right) was pulling the strings in the centre of the park for the Black Cats
The two teams will meet again at Turf Moor a week on Tuesday after cancelling each-other out
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Great game.
by Great King Rat 48