Danny Collins

By The Black Cats
January 31 2009

Sunderland and Blackburn will meet for a fifth time this season after a dour fourth-round tie at the Stadium of Light ended in stalemate. Sam Allardyce's Rovers created the best chances to win it but failed to take them and both teams go into the hat for tomorrow's draw. The replay will take place on Wednesday week at Ewood Park, a game that seems an eternity away.

Before it, Sunderland face crucial Barclays Premier League games against Fulham and Newcastle.

As promised Ricky Sbragia made several changes for the cup tie, six in fact. It meant a rare chance up front for Michael Chopra and David Healy.

But despite working hard the strike pair failed to find a way past Rovers' solid-looking defence. Since Sam Allardyce took over as manager, the Lancashire club have conceded just two goals in a six-game unbeaten run.

Morten Gamst Pedersen went closest to ending the stalemate when his goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Pascal Chimbonda, who played well for the Black Cats.

Chimbonda himself could have snatched it for Sunderland late on when he dragged a shot wide from inside the box.

rovers450 Marton Fulop gets above Roque Santa Cruz to take a cross

Rovers made their intentions clear by selecting a strong side and they could have gone ahead in the second minute when Chris Samba headed a corner just wide.

Sunderland's best chance of a scrappy first half fell to Healy. His snapshot from the edge of the area was parried by Paul Robinson, The Northern Irishman was alert to the rebound but his second effort was blocked by the England keeper.

Roque Santa Cruz, returning after a five-game absence, should have scored before the break - good goalkeeping by Marton Fulop denied the Paraguayan.

Sunderland had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the 27th minute when Grant Leadbitter, captaining the side in the absence of Dean Whitehead and Kieran Richardson, went down in the box under a challenge from Ryan Nelson. The referee straightaway said no.

The home side looked more of a threat after the break and they had the ball in the back of the net in the 65th minute, but Healy's strike was ruled out for offside. Just before that, Pedersen saw his volley go just past the post.

Kenwyne Jones was introduced to the action in the 67th minute and he helped set up a good chance for Steed Malbranque three minutes later.

The T&T striker cut the ball back inside the penalty area for Malbranque, giving the Frenchman a clear sight of goal but the resulting effort was way over the top.

Not for the first time, Chimbonda, who played at centre-back for the majority of the tie, made a good block to deny Rovers in the 80th minute.
 
The ex-Tottenham defender was involved at the other end in the 88th minute, shooting wide from just inside the area.

A draw was the last thing either side wanted as they look to stay in the Barclays Premier League this season.