Southampton
0-1
Sunderland

FT(HT: 0-1)

Fletcher (42')

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Half-Time Report: Steven Fletcher gives Sunderland lead

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 22 December 2012

Steven Fletcher scores one minute before the break to give Sunderland a narrow lead at half time against Southampton.

A late Steven Fletcher strike has given Sunderland a 1-0 lead going into half time of their Premier League match with Southampton this afternoon.

Steven Fletcher celebrates with Craig Gardner after scoring for Sunderland on December 22, 2012 © PA Photos

The visitors almost made a perfect start to the match when Stephane Sessegnon tried his luck in the very first minute, but Kelvin Davis got his fingertips to the ball to send it round the post.

Fletcher was the next to come close for Sunderland, latching onto Craig Gardner's cross only to poke his effort wide.

Martin O'Neill and Nigel Adkins side by side on the touchline on December 22, 2012 © PA Photos

Gaston Ramirez was the first Southampton player to really trouble Simon Mignolet, producing a curling effort from 20 yards out that the Sunderland keeper had to parry away.

The visitors took the lead just one minute before the interval when Adam Johnson got in behind the defence before crossing to Fletcher, who made no mistake at the back post.