Sunderland 1-1 West Ham: Hammers and Black Cats share spoils after thrilling encounter

Sunderland managed their 10th draw in 16 games as West Ham continue their unbeaten run. A contentious Jordi Gomez penalty gave the hosts the lead before Stewart Downing's deflected shot gave Sam Allardyce's men an equaliser.

The Black Cats started the game the brighter, with Adam Johnson causing all sorts of problems for the Hammers defence. Despite their early pressure it was West Ham who had the first chance of the game. Diafra Sakho sent in a cross for Andy Carroll, but he didn't have enough power on his header and the game remained goalless.

The tone of the game was very end to end, both sides exchanging chances with Adam Johnson and Stewart Downing being the architects.

Controversy ensued 22 minutes in when Johnson went down from a James Tomkins challenge and referee Phil Dowd surprisingly pointed to the spot. Jordi Gomez stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past Adrian in the West Ham goal. Boss Sam Allardyce was furious and started to shout at Dowd, but the Clarets soon got back in the game.

Downing took a low left footed shot from the right hand side of the box, the ball was deflected and slid past Pantilimon into the bottom corner. With West Ham back in the game, the match became very wide open, with Sunderland starting to dominate in the lead up to half time.

After the break Sunderland again began the half the better side, with Johnson and Downing continuing to be the main men for their sides. Johnson's costless kick was punched away by Adrian after Alex Song fouled just outside the box. As the game continuted in a 'tit for tat' fashion, Aaron Cresswell's well taken shot was blocked by Pantilimon, who was having a good game for the Black Cats.

Sunderland took Johnson off and with it possibly their most promising way of getting a winner. In the 72nd minute Winston Reid handballed in the area and surprisingly there wasn't a second penalty for Gus Poyet's side.

Second half substitute Steven Fletcher made his presence known as he threatened the West Ham defence with a few shots. The game remained end to end with West Ham looking to score on the counter attack. Andy Carroll could have won it for the Hammers in the dying seconds but his shot was centimetres wide.

Sundelrland now have fove draws in six games, with West Ham on a four match unbeaten run, but their winning atreak comes to an end. Sam Allardyce will feel aggrieved after the penalty incident, which may have turned the game, but after Reid's handball was turned down, there can be little argument from the Hammers.