Birmingham City 2 Sunderland 2:There was a sense of inevitability when Stern John emerged from the Sunderland substitutes' bench to rapturous applause from the home supporters that the former hero might turn villain.
It was a script John followed to the letter last night, the former Birmingham striker climbing highest at the far post in the 90th minute to pilfer a point for Sunderland after Garry O'Connor appeared to have secured a precious victory for Steve Bruce's side.
Having held on to their first-half lead until the 75th minute, Birmingham were pegged back when Michael Chopra, further endearing himself to Sunderland fans, struck a wonderful left-footed volley. Birmingham responded swiftly though, with O'Connor drilling across goal to restore the home team's advantage.
It was a lead they looked like retaining until Ross Wallace's free-kick was turned onto the crossbar by Colin Doyle and John nodded in.
Given that the early exchanges were more memorable for passion than panache, it hardly seemed surprising the breakthrough should arrive through an own goal. Sebastian Larsson's flighted free-kick pushed Sunderland's backline deep into the six-yard box, enabling Stephen Kelly to head back across goal. With Craig Gordon exposed, Paul McShane, under pressure from Gary McSheffrey, glanced the loose ball into the net off his chest.
The goal liberated both sides after a soporific opening. Sunderland, showing four changes despite their win over Tottenham on Saturday, could not find any rhythm as Birmingham snapped into tackles and pressed in numbers. No one typified the home team's approach better than Fabrice Muamba, though the former Arsenal midfielder was over-zealous on occasions.
Sunderland's opportunities were scarce although Keane was palpably frustrated to see a penalty appeal turned down when Chopra tumbled to the ground as Kelly closed in moments after Birmingham had taken the lead. Earlier Chopra appeared set to put Sunderland ahead but as he prepared to unleash the right boot that accounted for Spurs last weekend, Johan Djourou perfectly timed his intervention, sweeping the ball behind to safety.
The second half was much better, with Chopra's second goal in five days bringing parity. The former Newcastle forward arrowed a true shot beyond Doyle after shaking off Liam Ridgewell. Within seven minutes Birmingham were back in front, Olivier Kapo combining with Mikael Forssell to release O'Connor. The substitute wonderfully sidestepped McShane before shooting low into the far corner. John ensured it would not be the final blow.
Meanwhile, Fulham came from behind at Craven Cottage last night to leave Bolton still searching for their first Premier League points of the season. Alexey Smertin's heavily-deflected 26th-minute strike ended up deciding an entertaining encounter after David Healy in the 23rd minute had cancelled out former Fulham striker Heidur Helguson's opener after 12 minutes.
BIRMINGHAM:Doyle, Parnaby, Djourou, Ridgewell, Kelly, Larsson, Muamba, Nafti, McSheffrey (O'Connor 65), Forssell (Jerome 84), Kapo. Subs Not Used: Maik Taylor, Jaidi, Vine. Booked: Doyle. Goals: McShane 28 og, O'Connor 82.
SUNDERLAND:Gordon, Collins, Nosworthy, McShane, Halford (O'Donovan 70), Edwards, Etuhu, Whitehead (Miller 58), Wallace, Connolly (John 58), Chopra. Subs Not Used: Ward, Anderson. Booked: Etuhu. Goals: Chopra 75, John 90.
Referee:Keith Stroud (Hampshire).
