Hull City, Sunderland share the points in battling display

Hull City and Sunderland have played out a 1-1 draw in a feisty Premier League clash this evening at the KC Stadium.

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Both sides began the game somewhat slowly, although the hosts soon got into gear and began pushing into the opposition's final third, sending a series of tentative crosses into the box.

Hull made the most of their dominant spell and took the lead on the quarter-hour mark, as Tom Huddlestone's ball was expertly back-heeled into the visitors' net by Dame N'Doye.

Following the goal, the game opened up as both sides began pushing forward, but few truly testing chances were registered.

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Drama then kicked off on the touchline midway through the first half when Gus Poyet was sent to the stands after an altercation with Steve Bruce over Jack Rodwell's booking.

Not long after the restart, John O'Shea nearly opened the scoring for Sunderland when he flicked a header wide, but a Hull counter-attack saw Nikica Jelavic find N'Doye inside the box.

The hotshot striker's feet failed him that time though, as the ball soared high above the bar.

Midway through the second half, the game followed up the trouble on the touchline with a melee on the pitch, Lee Cattermole clipping David Meyler to set off a scuffle among the players that saw the combative midfielder booked.

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The Black Cats then struck an equaliser, courtesy of Patrick van Aanholt's cross that flew over the head of Hull keeper Allan McGregor, with Jack Rodwell applying the final touch from close range.

Hull almost regained the lead instantly through N'Doye's point-blank header, while Jermain Defoe followed up with a chance at the other end, but neither could find a winner as both sides ended up sharing the spoils.

The result does little for the two teams, however, as Hull and Sunderland still find themselves 15th and 16th respectively in the Premier League table.