Crystal Palace and Sunderland have headed into the break on level terms after a goalless first half in their Premier League meeting this evening.
The visitors created a number of openings in the early stages and Steven Fletcher fired over the bar, before Jermain Defoe crashed an effort narrowly wide of the target.
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Palace soon showed their threat on the break and Yannick Bolasie fired in a shot from distance that proved comfortable for Costel Pantilimon.
The Black Cats then appealed for a penalty when Defoe was brought down by Damien Delaney, but the replays showed the contact between the players happened outside of the box, with Billy Jones eventually seeing an attempt blocked from the resulting free kick.
It was Palace who were next to threaten as James McArthur was given space to drive forward, before unleashing a stinging effort that was again easily stopped by Pantilimon.
At the end of the first half Yohan Cabaye had another opening for Palace after picking up a loose clearance on the edge of the box, but his attempt sailed well wide of the post as the teams went into the break all square.
Alex Meyers
