English Premiership
Sunderland held by Swansea
2013-01-30 08:24
Sunderland - Titus Bramble's injury-time block prevented Sunderland target Danny Graham from scoring the winner for Swansea in a goalless Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.
Although Swansea, playing the kind of passing football that has taken them to this season's League Cup final, dominated possession in the first half before Sunderland got back into the match, clear chances were few and far between.
But Swansea midfielder Nathan Dyer could have won it for the visitors nine minutes from time when he shot wide with a clear sight of goal.
VIDEO: Sunderland v Swansea highlights
"I have to say it was a fair result," Sunderland captain John O'Shea told Sky Sports. "Swansea had two of the clearest chances.
"We could have been better going forward and both teams cancelled each other out, but it was a great tackle from Titus which stopped Graham getting the winner."
Visitors Swansea had a fifth-minute penalty claim rejected when the Welsh club's striker, Itay Shechter, went down in the box under O'Shea's challenge.
However, former Manchester United defender O'Shea insisted he was unconcerned, saying: "I think a few times before that he had gone over fairly easily so I think the referee had that in mind so I wasn't concerned too much."
Swansea captain Ashley Williams said: "It's a tough place to come and I think we played well and stuck to our game plan.
"We nearly nicked it in the end but a draw is a fair result. We are happy with a draw to be honest."
The draw left Swansea in eighth place with Sunderland, who had been struggling, now nine points clear of the relegation zone.