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Sunderland 2-2 Birmingham City
Match Reports, 18:12, August 14, 2010 ,
Lee Cattermole's sending off in the first half proved to be pivotal as Birmingham came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Sunderland.
Darren Bent opened the scoring for Sunderland with a harshly awarded penalty in the 22nd minute as the initial foul looked like it was committed outside the box, when Stephen Carr brought down Frazier Campbell after he had displayed a quick turn of pace towards the Birmingham goal. Bent made no mistake from 12 yards, burying the ball to the right of Birmingham keeper Ben Foster.
Birmingham full-back Carr then added to his side's woes when his header looped into his own goal to give the Black Cats a two goal cushion going into half-time.
Cattermole's sending off, for two bookable offences, was deserved. His first caution was awarded for a clumsy tackle on Cameron Jerome whilst his second, a mere 15 minutes later, was for clattering straight through Lee Bowyer with a tackle from behind. This left the Black Cats playing the entire second half with 10 men.
The one-man advantage benefited Birmingham, who upped their game in the second period. Scott Dann scored with 13 minutes to go to pull one back for the Blues and the comeback was completed by Liam Ridgewell's bundled equaliser in the 88th minute.