Sunderland and West Ham United are on course for a 1-1 draw in this afternoon's Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light.
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The hosts dominated possession in the early stages, but the Hammers had arguably the better chances.
Andy Carroll came close with a header following Diafra Sakho's cross, before Carl Jenkinson saw a close-range drive denied.
On the quarter-hour mark, the visitors had another chance when Jenkinson struck a dangerous effort from the edge of the area, but Costel Pantilimon had it covered.
It was the Black Cats who broke the deadlock midway through the first half. Adam Johnson was felled by James Tomkins, prompting the referee to give a penalty.
Jordi Gomez confidently struck the ball into the West Ham net from the spot to gift his side the lead, much to Sam Allardyce's displeasure.
The visitors were able to draw level on 29 minutes, however, with Stewart Downing cutting in from the right flank and firing a shot that flew into the net following a deflection off Gomez's boot.
West Ham ended the first half on a high as Sakho sprinted between two defenders to chase a ball over the top, only to fire an effort just wide of the far post, although they were lucky to escape when Jozy Altidore missed a gilt-edged chance at the other end moment later.
Giuseppe Labellarte
