Phillips electric as Reid rides the storm

No-one left the Stadium of Light more frustrated, bemused and downright miserable than Sunderland manager Peter Reid.

His side are in a serious slump and even their once impressive home form is under threat from upstarts like Fulham.

Jean Tigana's side, as Reid had predicted, took their game to Sunderland and very nearly emerged with three deserved points after Steed Malbranque's brilliant opening goal put Reid and his side under pressure from unhappy home fans.

These are strange days on Wearside. Hapless winger Kevin Kilbane was booed as early as the 10th minute but later the Sunderland faithful rose in unison to inspire the side, and record goalscorer Kevin Phillips in particular. His superb equaliser - a calm, fleet-footed finish past Edwin Van der Sar - was one of his finest. It may also prove to be one of his most significant.

The 1-1 draw will prove to the Sunderland manager, and the club's fans, that there are players genuinely trying to reverse the club's so-called decline.

Despite the barracking, Kilbane never tried to hide, and his spirit - matching that of Gavin McCann and the inspirational Stefan Schwarz - showed there remains real spirit in the team.

Veteran striker Niall Quinn is also proving an inspiration but reserved his own praise for Schwarz's 'consummate professionalism'.