JONES'S RED CARD INSPIRES BLACK CATS

KENWYNE JONES looked to have left his team- mates in the lurch with his idiotic sending-off.

But, in fact, his red card might just have saved a point for Sunderland.

The striker was ordered off for a half-hearted push on Herita Ilunga in first-half added time, with West Ham in front, making chances and looking good.

Sunderland were second best, with the Hammers drawing two classic stops from keeper Craig Gordon, scoring through Guille Franco and Carlton Cole and staying solid at the back.

A second-half Stadium of Light stroll looked odds-on for the Londoners but, instead, Gianfranco Zola's men were stunned and shocked by the ferocity of Sunderland's response.

The 10-man, underdog effect electrified the players and the crowd and, in the end, it was Sunderland who were making the chances and getting close to winning the match.

But a draw was the right result for a marvellous spectacle that had almost everything - West Ham's poise, polish and smooth passing and the passion and fight of Sunderland's 10 men that eventually overwhelmed them.

It fashioned a full-on thriller . . . and all sparked by what was a nonsensical incident involving Jones just before the break.

The big striker tangled with Ilunga and then raised his hands to push him in the chest - and the Congo defender went down as if he had been shot, holding his face.

The fall was reminiscent of the way referee Paul Alcock dramatically took a tumble when Paolo Di Canio pushed him at Hillsborough 11 years ago.

In fact Ilunga was then booked for simulation by referee Andre Marriner while receiving treatment from West ham medics for facial injuries, with Sunderland boss Steve Bruce looking on and shaking his head before being waved away.

A yellow card for Jones might have been more just but he did raise his hands, however tamely.

Andy Reid had already cleverly pulled one back for Sunderland from a set-piece and Bruce's men were rewarded for their bottle with an equaliser in the 76th minute from Kieran Richardson. West Ham could not stand up to their effort or fierce desire and it left Zola a deflated figure, nursing nine games without a win.

SPORTING: Bent and Cole

To add insult to injury, the Hammers' Radoslav Kovac was sent off himself in the 86th minute for a second yellow card.

West Ham fought back bravely to win a point from Arsenal last Sunday but were on the receiving end here and could not handle it.

They made the chances in the first half, drawing top saves from Gordon - and beating the keeper twice. There was nothing to trouble the Scot when Mark Noble and Carlton Cole tried early shots but he was severely tested by Valon Behrami in the 16th minute.

Gordon managed to beat out that power effort but had no chance when the Hammers went ahead in the 30th minute through Franco.

The chance was well fashioned by Behrami and then Jack Collison - onside as Paulo Da Silva slept in - cut it back for Mexican hitman Franco to grab his first goal for the Hammers.

Gordon had to produce the spectacular again four minutes later as Cole was on target after Michael Turner failed to control the striker.

And Turner struggled again against the the strength of Cole in the 36th minute as Collison slipped a neat ball through. Cole left the centre-back on the floor to make it two.

Sunderland were back in the game three minutes later with Reid's 25-yard free-kick, floated superbly into the top corner.

Robert Green did not have a save to make in the first half with Darren Bent missing a headed chance and Da Silva driving just wide.

Then Jones was sent off and the whole game changed.

Gordon had to make a reaction stop two minutes after the break as Franco smashed in a header from five yards.

But Bent finally brought a sprawling save from Green to start the siege and Turner's header from the subsequent corner was brilliantly kept out by the keeper.

Bent then cut inside but blasted a good chance over as the pressure poured on from 10 men. Lorik Cana hit the bar with a header, Green kept out a second effort from Bent and Steed Malbranque wasted a volley when he was in a great position in the 74th minute.

The 10 men piled on the pressure but could not put their chances away - until Richardson struck.

The left-back bundled in from close range after Bent's cross had looped off Matthew Upson.

There were still chances at both ends with Cole and substitute Zavon Hines off target for West Ham and former Hammer George McCartney clearing off the Sunderland line.

And another Sunderland chance was wasted as Bent dragged wide then just failed to connect with a header.

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