Gus Poyet sent off as Sunderland and Hull draw

Gus Poyet was sent off against Hull City as his Sunderland side fought back for a 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium.

Preparations for the match were overshadowed by Adam Johnson’s arrest, which predictably and pitifully brought supportive chants from the Sunderland fans at the KC Stadium.

It took little time to quieten down the away supporters when Dame N’Doye cleverly flicked in Tom Huddlestone’s low, fiercely struck free kick into the far corner.

Poyet was sent off after Jack Rodwell took a tumble in the box and kicked over a container of drinks on the sideline. As he made his way to leave, he sarcastically applauded Steve Bruce and Bruce had to be restrained from following him into the tunnel to further their heated debate.

In the second half, Sunderland laboured as Hull missed chances, but the away side grabbed an equaliser when Patrick van Aanholt’s cross was headed across the line by Jack Rodwell. Poyet's substitution, after his witless earlier behaviour, had rescued a point.

15’ - GOAL! Hull City 1-0 Sunderland. N'Doye scores - Huddlestone drills in a low ball to the left of the useless wall, and N'Doye clips it past the keeper into the bottom far corner.

36’ - SUNDERLAND PENALTY APPEAL - Rodwell toes a ball past Bruce on the edge of the box, and collapses under a non-existent challenge. Rodwell is booked for diving, and Poyet is miffed.

37’ - POYET SENT OFF - Poyet was so frustrated by the referee's decision that he booted a water bucket and has been sent off. He then wandered over to Steve Bruce and had a word, and Bruce has to be held back from chasing Poyet down the tunnel.

54’ - HULL PENALTY APPEALS - Two appeals for a penalty. Robertson's cross strikes the arm of a defender from two yards, and then Jelavic goes down in the box, and Mike Dean isn't interested in that either. Bruce kicks over nothing.

77’ - GOAL! Hull City 1-1 Sunderland. Rodwell scores - Van Aanholt receives the ball on the left, gets to the byline and stands up a cross. Rodwell is a yard from the line and glances the ball into the net, maybe hitting his arm.

80’ - PANTILIMON SAVE - N'Doye has a chance from point-blank range and Pantilimon somehow stops the header.

88’ - RODWELL MISS - Meyler's ball into the box after it was initially cleared loops towards the goal, but Pantilion claims. Sunderland attack up the other end. Van Aanholt finds Rodwell's late run, and he sends a volley over the bar.

There have been seven red cards in eight Premier League games between Hull City and Sunderland, with six coming in the last five meetings. All but one were for players.

This is the first Premier League match against Sunderland that Hull have not won in four matches.

Sunderland have won just one of their last 11 Premier League matches (W1 D4 L6).

Sunderland scored for the first time in four matches.

Sunderland have recovered just four points from losing positions this season.

If Gus Poyet is not sacked, he may wonder if it is worth staying on regardless. As a manager, he is hard for the neutral to like, constantly making excuses and glowering through press conferences. Given how he left Brighton, and the storm that now overshadows Sunderland, it would be no surprise if the Sunderland board decide a more conciliatory manager is more appropriate. If not, after such poor season, Poyet might decide to walk away anyway.

Dame N’Doye (Hull City): Steve Bruce had tracked the striker from his days in Denmark, and his relatively low cost in the winter transfer window meant there was little risk in bringing him in. He has rewarded his side with goals already, but he deserves credit for his overall game - his constant movement and capable control in attack creates space for other players, and gives midfielders and defenders an outlet under pressure. The only concern is that for all the chances he creates, he was profligate tonight.

Hull City: McGregor 6, Dawson 7, Bruce 6, McShane 6, Elmohamady 6, Robertson 6, Huddlestone 6, Livermore 6, Meyler 6, Jelavic 6, N'Doye 7. Subs: Hernandez 6.

Sunderland: Pantilimon 6, Reveilere 6, Vergini 6, Brown 6, O'Shea 6, Cattermole 5, Bridcutt 5, Rodwell 6, Larsson 5, Defoe 6, Graham 5. Subs: Wickham 6, Alvarez 6, van Aanholt 7.