Super Lawrence can't save Sunderland from sinking

Leading through Liam Lawrence's sensational seventh-minute volley, the Black Cats proceeded to out-pass and out-work a Fulham side who could yet feature significantly in the race to avoid relegation.

Ultimately, though, they paid the price for three moments of defensive disarray. The first and last allowed Fulham striker Collins John to make the most of some slack marking to dispatch two close-range headers into the Sunderland net. The second, and arguably most costly, resulted in Steve Caldwell's sending off for a professional foul on Icelander Heidar Helguson.

Outside of those incidents, Sunderland displayed the kind of drive and determination that makes their lengthy winless run almost impossible to comprehend. But as the Black Cats are learning to their cost, you do not get points for effort.

For that, you need strikers that can score goals and defenders that can keep them out. Despite all of yesterday's honest endeavour, both categories of performers remain in short supply.

Unless that changes, and it is difficult to see how it will given Sunderland's financial plight, the second half of the season is likely to be starkly similar to the first.

While Tim Cahill's stoppage-time winner ensured 2005 ended on a predictably downbeat note for the Black Cats, Saturday's narrow defeat to Everton at least suggested they would go down fighting in the second half of the campaign.

With an absence of Premiership points failing to reflect the level of performance over the Christmas period, McCarthy started 2006 with a degree of cautious optimism despite his side's plight at the foot of the table.

And, while the final whistle at Craven Cottage brought yet more gloom, that optimism looked well founded when Lawrence's display of individual brilliance gave the visitors a perfect start.

Zat Knight failed to deal with Danny Collins' seventh-minute cross, but Tony Warner's goal appeared to be in little danger as the ball looped towards Lawrence on the edge of the area.

The Sunderland midfielder, who gave a glimpse of his finishing ability with a sublime strike in the derby defeat at Newcastle, had produced an eye-catching display in the weekend defeat to Everton.

But that was nothing compared to yesterday's volleyed opener. Swivelling into position, Lawrence somehow fashioned a left-footed strike that arrowed past a shell-shocked Warner into the top right-hand corner of the net. The new year might be just three days old, but we already have an odds-on favourite for Sunderland's goal of 2006.

The strike broke the Black Cats' month-long scoring duck and, just as significantly, gave McCarthy's men the rare luxury of a lead to defend.

The effect on morale was both obvious and considerable. Dean Whitehead and Tommy Miller bossed the central areas with a barely-disguised relish, while Jon Stead's movement troubled the veteran Ian Pearce.

Fulham's array of attacking talent meant they remained a threat at the other end but, for the most part, Gary Breen dealt effectively with a succession of misdirected centres from the flank.

Indeed it was Warner, not Kelvin Davis, who was busiest as the first half wore on. The Fulham goalkeeper, who is expected to complete a permanent move from Cardiff later this month, repelled two low strikes from Stead and a weak daisy-cutter from Whitehead as Sunderland passed their way through the home side's defence.

Miller scrambled a Boa Morte cross out of John's reach in a rare flurry of activity in the Black Cats' box but, with the Cottagers short of attacking inspiration, the visitors looked like reaching the break with their advantage intact.

As Sunderland have learned to their cost, though, the dying minutes of a half are often the most dangerous, particularly if you choose to defend on the edge of your own penalty box. With a grim predictability, by the time the half-time whistle blew, Fulham were level.

Brian McBride flicked on Sylvain Legwinski's left-wing cross two minutes before the break and, combining strength and skill, Dutchman John directed a looping diving header past a despairing Davis.

McCarthy's response was to send his players back onto the field five minutes early for a choreographed warm-up routine that had the home fans singing the 'Hokey Cokey'. It looked more like formation dancing from a distance and, within 12 minutes of the re-start, Sunderland were reeling again.

With the Black Cats' back four standing far too square, substitute Helguson raced clear onto Liam Rosenior's through ball. Caldwell pushed him from behind and referee Dermot Gallagher wasted no time in brandishing a straight red card.

The Scotsman had done nothing wrong to that point, but Helguson was about to pull the trigger and, by the letter of the law, the official had no other option.

As if that was not bad enough, it took Fulham just five more minutes to make their extra man count.

Helguson broke free down the left and, with the visitors still re-organising defensively, John stole between Breen and Julio Arca to head home his second.

That should have been that but, showing a resilience that should stand them in good stead in forthcoming weeks, Sunderland refused to be cowed.

Warner was at full stretch as he turned Lawrence's low drive behind for a corner, before substitute Daryl Murphy almost sneaked a hooked half-volley past the keeper's near post. By then, though, the damage had been done.

Result: Fulham 2, Sunderland 1.

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